Nexsen Pruet deepens health care roots in the Carolinas

Addition of new lawyers is indicative of six-decade commitment to serving providers

Attorneys Darra James Coleman and Alice Harris have joined the Nexsen Pruet law firm in Columbia. Coleman is Special Counsel, while Harris is a Member.

Attorneys Darra James Coleman and Alice Harris

This year marks the 75th anniversary of the founding of Nexsen Pruet. One of the firm’s first partners, Julian Nexsen, laid the firm’s health-care foundation when he started providing pro bono legal advice to a nonprofit hospital in Columbia more than 50 years ago.

“Since those early days, our firm has placed great value on service to health care providers that deliver our newborns, nurse our sick, provide life-saving surgeries and other treatment and who offer long term and home care options for patients. We are a resource and partner to these health care providers as they take care of their patients and navigate the complex and highly regulated industry that health care has become,” said Nikole Setzler Mergo, Managing Partner of the firm’s Columbia office. “Darra and Alice share those values and will help our health care clients fulfill their vital missions.”

Darra James Coleman has more than 20 years of experience serving both public and private sector clients. Most recently, Coleman served as Chief Advice Counsel and policy counsel for the South Carolina Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation.

Alice Harris assists hospitals, health care systems, physicians and post-acute care providers in connection with a wide variety of matters. Throughout her career, her practice has focused on health care regulatory compliance, compliance program guidance, response to federal and state contractor audits as well as surveys and investigations. Harris leads Nexsen Pruet’s long term care initiatives, including work with assisted living facilities, skilled nursing facilities, memory care centers, hospice and other home health organizations.