Debra Albin-Riley

Debra Albin-Riley is the lead attorney on numerous high-profile federal and state cases and administrative hearings across the country. She has developed a specialization in medical staff and hospital litigation, including peer review hearings for ArentFox Schiff’s key health system and hospital clients. She has successfully argued before the California Supreme Court and California Court of Appeal, establishing anti-SLAPP protections for medical staff and peer reviewers.

One major case she led within the past two years involved Providence Saint Joseph Health. Albin-Riley defended writ of mandate actions brought by medical staff and two suspended physicians, navigating untested statutes regarding a hospital board’s authority in peer review discipline. She obtained favorable decisions from the court, resulting in the dismissal of the actions.

Another significant matter she handled for Providence Saint Joseph Health involved a lawsuit filed by Dr. Aram Bonni. Aram Bonni, M.D., vs. St. Joseph Health System, etc., et al., 30-2014-00758655-CU-0E-CJC (Orange Sup. Ct, filed Nov. 25, 2014).

Albin-Riley’s work on this case included filing an anti-SLAPP motion, which was initially dismissed but reversed on appeal. The Supreme Court of California granted review and, in 2021, issued a decision with significant impact on peer review issues. Albin-Riley argued before the Court of Appeal, which subsequently issued a published decision recognizing absolute privileges for certain aspects of peer review activity.

“The Bonni cases provided much-needed clarity about the continued protection of peer review events, such as reporting to the licensing authorities and communicating with other facilities regarding physician discipline. Both the California Supreme Court and Court of Appeal published decisions are the most important developments in peer review law in recent years,” Albin-Riley said.

“Now that physicians facing corrective action can sue for retaliation before concluding a peer review hearing, medical staff and hospitals face confusing and treacherous results when trying to protect patients from impaired, negligent or incompetent doctors,” she continued. “... Our clients face enormous expense and confusion about … the effect of peer review findings and decisions and … the ability to pursue civil discovery not otherwise allowed in administrative peer review hearings.”

Albin-Riley serves as chair of the board of directors for the Library Foundation of Los Angeles, supporting the Los Angeles Public Library and its programs. She has also held leadership positions in the litigation section of the Los Angeles County Bar Association and the Association of Business Trial Lawyers.