People
Sara specializes in representing her healthcare and life sciences clients in complex disputes and government investigations and litigation in federal and state courts and arbitrations. Sara's clients include hospitals, academic medical centers, medical groups, retail pharmacies, medical device companies, and other life sciences companies. She has particular expertise in handling matters that arise under the federal False Claims Act and its state law corollaries. Sara also focuses on managed care litigation and has successfully recovered millions of dollars for healthcare providers in disputes against heath plans. In addition to her litigation practice, she regularly advises clients on regulatory matters, including the Stark Law, the Anti-Kickback Statute, and other fraud, abuse, and anti-corruption laws. She also provides compliance counseling, training, and advice regarding policies and compliance programs.
An experienced litigator, Sara also represents clients in complex contract and business tort disputes, antitrust litigation, and products liability (pharmaceutical) litigation. She has represented her clients in federal court, state court, and administrative proceedings.
Through Chambers USA, her clients have said:
"Sara Brinkmann is an excellent litigator. She is very knowledgeable, highly organized, and a pleasure to work with."
"She cares about each of her cases and comes up with creative ideas to problem-solve."
"Sara Brinkmann is a fantastic lawyer."
Sara has been regularly recognized by publications like Chambers and Best Lawyers in America. She is the current Chair of the Health Law Section of the Houston Bar Association. She is also a frequent speaker and presenter.
J.D., University of Houston Law Center, cum laude
M.B.A., University of Houston
B.A., Baylor University, magna cum laude
Texas
Law Clerk, Hon. David Hittner, Texas
Defense Research Institute, Member
Federal Bar Association, Member
Greater Houston Society for Healthcare Risk Management
Houston Bar Association, Member (Health Law Section, Chair 2021-2022; Campaign for the Homeless Committee, Former Member; Law Week Committee, Former Member)
State Bar of Texas, Member
Texas Bar Foundation, Fellow
June 1, 2023
Chambers USA 2023 Recognizes 186 K&S Lawyers and 84 K&S Practice Groups as Leaders in Their Fields
June 1, 2022
Chambers USA 2022 Recognizes 188 K&S Lawyers and 75 K&S Practice Groups as Leaders in Their Fields
April 5, 2022
King & Spalding Broadens Texas Healthcare Bench With Addition of Sara Brinkmann
Successfully defended a nationwide retail pharmacy client in a False Claims Act case in the Southern District of Texas and on appeal in the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals involving allegations of regulatory violations related to the dispensing of certain pharmaceuticals, resulting in a full dismissal of the case prior to discovery and was affirmed on appeal at the Fifth Circuit.
Successfully defended a hospital system in a False Claims Act case in the Southern District of Texas involving allegations of Stark Law and Anti-Kickback Statute violations related to physician recruitment and compensation arrangements, resulting in a favorable settlement for the client.
Successfully defended a hospital system in a False Claims Act case in the Eastern District of Wisconsin involving allegations of Stark Law and Anti-Kickback Statute violations related to physician group compensation, resulting in a favorable settlement for the client.
See more
July 1, 2022
First False Claims Act Cases Since Justice Department Launched Its Cybersecurity Initiative Settle
July 1, 2022
Clearing the COVID-19 surgical backlog: Compliance implications of overlapping surgeries
May 4, 2022
Lessons From 9th Circ.'s Medicare Reimbursement Decision
June 1, 2023
Chambers USA 2023 Recognizes 186 K&S Lawyers and 84 K&S Practice Groups as Leaders in Their Fields
June 1, 2022
Chambers USA 2022 Recognizes 188 K&S Lawyers and 75 K&S Practice Groups as Leaders in Their Fields
April 5, 2022
King & Spalding Broadens Texas Healthcare Bench With Addition of Sara Brinkmann
Successfully defended a nationwide retail pharmacy client in a False Claims Act case in the Southern District of Texas and on appeal in the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals involving allegations of regulatory violations related to the dispensing of certain pharmaceuticals, resulting in a full dismissal of the case prior to discovery and was affirmed on appeal at the Fifth Circuit.
Successfully defended a hospital system in a False Claims Act case in the Southern District of Texas involving allegations of Stark Law and Anti-Kickback Statute violations related to physician recruitment and compensation arrangements, resulting in a favorable settlement for the client.
Successfully defended a hospital system in a False Claims Act case in the Eastern District of Wisconsin involving allegations of Stark Law and Anti-Kickback Statute violations related to physician group compensation, resulting in a favorable settlement for the client.
See more
July 1, 2022
First False Claims Act Cases Since Justice Department Launched Its Cybersecurity Initiative Settle
July 1, 2022
Clearing the COVID-19 surgical backlog: Compliance implications of overlapping surgeries
May 4, 2022
Lessons From 9th Circ.'s Medicare Reimbursement Decision
June 1, 2023
Chambers USA 2023 Recognizes 186 K&S Lawyers and 84 K&S Practice Groups as Leaders in Their Fields
June 1, 2022
Chambers USA 2022 Recognizes 188 K&S Lawyers and 75 K&S Practice Groups as Leaders in Their Fields
April 5, 2022
King & Spalding Broadens Texas Healthcare Bench With Addition of Sara Brinkmann
J.D., University of Houston Law Center, cum laude
M.B.A., University of Houston
B.A., Baylor University, magna cum laude
Texas
Law Clerk, Hon. David Hittner, Texas
Defense Research Institute, Member
Federal Bar Association, Member
Greater Houston Society for Healthcare Risk Management
Houston Bar Association, Member (Health Law Section, Chair 2021-2022; Campaign for the Homeless Committee, Former Member; Law Week Committee, Former Member)
State Bar of Texas, Member
Texas Bar Foundation, Fellow