Experience

Joe has practiced health law for more than 40 years.  He maintains a general health law practice with an emphasis on transactional matters, mergers and acquisitions, antitrust, nonprofit taxation, corporate matters, Medical Staff organization and corrective action, and Certificate of Need.  After serving in the United States Marine Corps and graduating from Law School, he was appointed Assistant Attorney General for the State of Maine and in that capacity served as Chief Counsel to the Maine Department of Health and Welfare (now the Department of Health and Human Services). He then joined the Portland law firm, Pierce Atwood, in 1977 where he became a partner and Chairman of its Health Law Department until 1995.  In 1995 he was a founding partner of Kozak & Gayer, P.A.

​

He has represented health care clients before numerous state and federal agencies and licensing boards.  He has represented clients in the Federal District Court, the United States Court of Appeals for the First Circuit and the U.S. Supreme Court as well the Maine District and Superior Courts and the Maine Supreme Judicial Court.

​

Practice Specialties

• Medical Staff Matters

• Certificate of Need

• Integration/Affiliation Transactions

• Tax-Exemption 501(c)(3) Status

 

Honors & Distinctions

Under the designation “Health Care Lawyers,” Joe has been listed in “The Best Lawyers in America” continuously since 1991. He was named 2011 Best Lawyers Health Care Attorney of the Year, Augusta, ME.  He is recognized by New England Super Lawyers in Health Care Law and is AV preeminent rated by Martindale Hubbell.  Joe also served as Chair of the Health Law Section of the Maine State Bar Association.

 

Community Service

Joe has served as:  Chairman of the Richmond, Maine Board of Appeals, a member of the Historic Preservation Subcommittee of the Richmond Planning Board, four terms as Chair of the Manchester School Board, three terms as a member and then one term as Chair of the School Union 42 School Board, Chairman of the Manchester Board of Selectmen, Chairman of the St. Andrews Parish Finance Committee, coach for youth sports (baseball and soccer) and Cub Scout leader.  He is currently Chairman, Manchester Board of Appeals and a member of the Town of Manchester Budget Committee.

 

Personal Interests

Fly fishing, distance running, golf, and  travel.  He is a Registered Maine Guide, a licensed  private pilot and  holds the highest class FCC amateur radio license.

 

Family

Joe and his wife, Vicki, are the parents of two adult sons, Michael and John. He and his wife reside in Manchester, Maine

​

Education

Joe holds a B.A. from the University of Bridgeport (1967), and a J.D. from Boston College Law School (1972).

​

Bar Admissions

Joe is admitted to practice law in Maine and New Hampshire. Joe is also admitted to practice in the District Court, District of Maine and U.S. Court of Appeals, First Circuit; and the U.S. Supreme Court.

​

Memberships

Joe is a member of the Maine State Bar Association, where he served as chair of the Health Law Section, and the New Hampshire Bar Association. He is also a member of the American Health Lawyers Association.

​

​

​