Legal 123s with ByrdAdatto

Wellness and longevity services are growing rapidly, with peptides creating new regulatory challenges for clinics. In this episode, Sam Pondrom, ByrdAdatto’s newest partner, explains what practices need to know before offering peptides. Tune in to understand what peptides are, why they are increasingly popular, and how the FDA and state laws regulate their use. Get insights on compliance, sourcing...

Selling a medical practice is no longer a straightforward transaction, especially in today’s private equity–driven market. In this episode, we are joined by attorneys Jonathan Eskow and Greg Rutstein of Eskow Law Group to share what physicians can realistically expect when selling a practice today. Learn how private equity is affecting valuations, the risks of relying on few key individuals, and t...

Running a medical practice today means navigating complex operational, business, and legal challenges. In this season opener, hosts Brad and Michael share the story of a California physician who thought firing a toxic practice manager at his longevity clinic would be simple—until it was not. What began as a routine staffing decision quickly uncovered employees misclassified as independent contract...

Purchasing a plastic surgery practice involves more than just finding the right opportunity. We are bringing back a fan favorite episode featuring Board Certified plastic surgeon Rachel Walker, MD, who shares her firsthand experience purchasing a practice. Tune in to learn what the process really looks like, from working with a business broker and securing financing to navigating health care regul...

Cybersecurity is essential for every practice that relies on technology. In this episode, guest Kaitlin Upchurch, Senior Vice President and Cyber & Tech Practice Leader at Lockton, addresses the cybersecurity questions practices are—and are not—thinking about. She explains why cybersecurity risks are often misunderstood, what makes health care a prime target, and why insurance alone is not eno...

Texting patients is an effective tool for med spas, but compliance is key. In this episode, attorney Christine Reilly, who leads Manatt’s consumer protection, advertising, and competition practice, breaks down what med spas and health care practices need to understand before hitting “send.” She explains why opt-in consent is critical, the key differences between marketing and informational message...

Many med spa owners hesitate to partner with a private equity–backed group because they fear losing control of their practice, but the reality is far more nuanced. In this episode, guest John Wheeler, CEO of Alpha Aesthetics Partners and co-founder of Esthetics Center, explains why partnering with a private equity–backed platform is not an exit, but a chance to access broader resources, structure,...

AI is changing the way medical aesthetic practices operate, but many providers are unsure about how to adopt it. In this episode, Randy Torban, Vice President of Patient Acquisition at EntityMed, explains how AI can enhance patient engagement, streamline workflows, and improve lead capture without replacing the human element. Tune in to learn practical strategies for leveraging AI tools, protectin...

Stem cells and exosomes continue to shape conversations in the medical aesthetics and wellness industry, but understanding what is legally allowed is just as important as understanding the science. In this episode, Dr. Jordan Plews, PhD, a scientist and entrepreneur in biotechnology and stem cell research, breaks down how these products work and the regulatory challenges surrounding them. Tune in...

Estate planning is not just about preparing for the unexpected—it is about protecting what you have worked hard to build. In this episode, guest James Atwood, estate planning attorney and co-founder of Atwood McCall, shares how proactive estate planning can protect assets, minimize taxes, streamline probate, and align with business succession strategies. Tune in to learn why updating your estate p...

Raising money for your health care business can be exciting but complicated. In this episode, Aubrey Rankin, Managing Partner at First Place Pediatrics, shares what raising capital and partnering with investors really looks like. Learn which early decisions can impact your ownership, how to keep investors informed and aligned, and the key compliance and legal considerations unique to health care i...

Thinking about turning your successful med spa into a franchise, or just asking for a friend? In this episode, guests Ryan Rose and Ryan Rao, executives at VIO Med Spa, share how they turned a single-location med spa into a national brand. Tune in to learn what it really takes to build a successful franchise in the health care space. Whether you are considering expansion or curious about franchisi...

Selling your practice is one of the biggest decisions in your career. In this episode, Guest Shawna Chrisman, founder of Destination Aesthetics Medical Spa, shares her firsthand experience selling her practice, from strategic and emotional challenges to lessons learned. Tune in to discover how to build a compliant and sellable practice, evaluate private equity opportunities, and know when the timi...

What happens when a patient complaint turns into a full-blown medical board investigation? In this episode, hosts Brad and Michael, and partner Jay Reyero, share the story of a plastic surgeon whose response to a patient demanding a refund nearly jeopardized his practice. Learn what to do when you receive a patient complaint, how to respond to a letter from the medical board, and steps you can tak...

Ready to fill your med spa with loyal, happy patients? In this episode, Audrey Neff, Chief Marketing Officer of Aviva Aesthetics, breaks down how marketing, sales, and retention work together to attract new patients, convert leads, and keep them coming back. Tune in for actionable marketing strategies to grow your practice, especially if you are asking for a friend. Chapters 00:00 Intro 00:14 Bant...

Losing employees can leave any leader wondering what to do next. In this episode, hosts Brad and Michael kick off the “asking for a friend” season with a twist—the friend is actually them. They share ByrdAdatto’s journey through unexpected employee turnover and the realization that even a culture-rich workplace is not immune to losing team members. Tune in as they reflect on the emotional and prac...

If something sounds too good to be true, it probably is. We are bringing back a fan favorite episode from our Other People’s Problems season. Tune in as we unpack the Little River Hospital fraud scheme, where Management Services Organizations (MSOs) were misused to cover up fraudulent kickback arrangements. Learn how physician investment opportunities can go wrong, how properly structured MSOs wor...

In this episode, hosts Brad and Michael, along with series regular Jay Reyero, share the story of a primary care physician who signed on to a turnkey diagnostic service promising fast revenue with minimal effort. When insurance policy changes, poor contract protections, and vendor limitations created unexpected financial and operational risks, they learned that “turnkey” does not mean “risk-free.”...

In this episode, hosts Brad and Michael welcome guest Brian Lauten, a triple board-certified business and commercial trial attorney and founding partner of Brian Lauten P.C., to unpack the realities of commercial litigation. Brian shares the often-overlooked consequences of filing a lawsuit, from hidden costs to litigation fatigue and unexpected counterclaims. Tune in to learn why the best litigat...

In this episode, hosts Brad and Michael are joined by Dr. Alan Durkin, board-certified plastic surgeon and founder of Ocean Drive Plastic Surgery and MedSpa Network. Dr. Durkin shares insights into his journey from reconstructive cancer surgery to building a destination plastic surgery center. Learn how rethinking med spas as health care delivery systems can drive surgical growth. Discover how ble...

In this episode, hosts Brad and Michael share the story of a group of Texas plastic surgeons who restructured their practice using multiple entities. While their goal was to protect themselves from liability while expanding operations, a seemingly small misstep led to a lawsuit putting their personal finances at risk. Tune in to learn how to properly structure entities like limited partnerships an...

In this episode, hosts Brad and Michael share the story of a seasoned orthopedic surgeon running a family-owned practice. Eager to expand, he brought on a young surgeon with a generous compensation package and the promise of future partnership. But when it came time to formalize the partnership, a shift to a more complex “eat what you kill” compensation model created unexpected friction. Tune in t...

In this episode, hosts Brad and Michael share the story of a Texas plastic surgeon and med spa owner who implemented a commission-based pay structure to retain staff and boost performance. While the model initially increased revenue and morale, it quickly led to scope-of-practice violations, internal competition, and compliance concerns. Tune in to learn what to consider before introducing commiss...

In this episode, hosts Brad and Michael share the story of a physician starting her own wellness practice. While she took many important steps to launch her business, she overlooked a critical early step: conducting a trademark search. This led to a cease and desist letter that threatened her brand and practice just weeks before opening. Tune in to learn how to legally protect your brand, why pick...

In this episode, hosts Brad and Michael dive into the story of a successful plastic surgeon who used estate planning strategies to transfer wealth and ownership to his family. What was originally intended to protect his assets ultimately backfired when a personal scandal gave his family the power to remove him from his role as CEO. Tune in to learn the importance of proper business governance, cor...