Our Team

Rickard & Associates, P.C. was founded by Lori-Ann Rickard after years in private practice at a large Detroit law firm, and eight years serving in-house as corporate counsel for the St. John Health System, a member of the largest Catholic Health system in the country, Ascension Health System.

Having experienced both sides of the attorney-client relationship, Rickard founded her firm on the premise that effective legal counsel is about helping clients reach intelligent, practical solutions that meet their unique needs, while focusing on the bottom line. A tireless client advocate, Rickard has a team of attorneys and legal assistants who have both a passion for the law and an “it’s handled” attitude toward client service.

Understanding that the needs of our clients sometimes extend beyond the walls of our firm, our in-house team sits at the center of a vast network of legal specialists, expert witnesses and industry professionals throughout the country who can be called upon at a moment’s notice to assist on a matter. This structure allows us to combine the personal attention and definitive advice that you would expect in the best small firms, with a depth of knowledge and specialty services that rivals most large firms.

Lori-Ann Rickard

“We combine real-world business acumen with the latest in legal expertise to provide timely and relevant counsel to help businesses address their challenges.”

Lori-Ann Rickard

Lori-Ann Rickard founded Rickard & Associates in 2000 after years as a partner at a large Detroit law firm, and then serving in-house as corporate counsel for the St. John Health System, a member of Ascension Health System.

Honored with the distinctions “Best Lawyers in Michigan” by the Best Lawyers publication and the “Top Lawyers in Metro-Detroit” by DBusiness magazine, Ms. Rickard is an accomplished litigator and experienced corporate attorney, and a recognized leader in the ever-changing field of healthcare law.  With clients ranging from national healthcare systems, ambulance companies and medical vendors to all types of physicians, Ms. Rickard combines cutting–edge legal knowledge with the desire to help clients reach intelligent, practical legal solutions that meet their unique needs.

Ms. Rickard is a seasoned corporate attorney, serving as an external in-house lawyer for many businesses, healthcare practices and organizations, and corporations. She provides advice and counsel on issues ranging from employment, corporate documentation, contract drafting and negotiation, disputes, IT issues, and more. Ms. Rickard also assists clients and their families with estate planning issues.

Ms. Rickard is a nationally known public speaker and continues to lecture for St. John Health System, Beaumont Health System, Michigan Peer Review Organization, National Congress on Healthcare Compliance, Health Care Compliance Association, the American Ambulance Association, Michigan Association of Ambulance Services, the Michigan Medical Billers Association, and the Michigan EMS Expo, among others.

Ms. Rickard has published several books and authored or co-authored numerous articles on healthcare and legal matters. She is an active member of the American Health Lawyers Association, State Bar of Michigan Health Law Section, American Bar Association, and the American Academy of Professional Coders. She is a Certified Professional Coder (CPC) and has also been certified in Probate and Estate Planning.

Ms. Rickard received her Bachelor of Science degree, cum laude, from Eastern Michigan University in 1983 and her Juris Doctorate degree from Wayne State University in 1986, where she was a member of Wayne Law Review. Ms. Rickard is a member of the State Bar of Michigan, The Florida Bar and admitted to practice in federal courts.  Ms. Rickard was an assistant teacher of Civil Trial Advocacy at Wayne State Law School.

Presentations, Publications and Interviews by Lori-Ann Rickard

Presentations Include:

  • “Top 5 Things to Avoid During Negotiations”
  • “Telehealth Changes: What You Need to Know”
  • “HIPAA, Compliance and COVID-19”
  • “5 Things Your Lawyer Wants You to Know”
  • “Post-Pandemic Compliance, HIPAA, and Billing”
  • “Disaster Preparedness: Are You Ready?”
  • “Medicare Appeals, Compliance and Risk Assessments”
  • “Risk Assessment, Contracting, and Compliance”
  • “Compliance: Billing Coding Professionals and the Pressure to Commit Fraud”
  • “Is the Sky Falling? Name, SSN, DOB, Address all on the web@XYZMedicalPractice – Is your practice prepared?”
  • “Cashing in on Technology and How it Impacts your Practice”
  • “The Dark Side of the EMR and How to Live with it”
  • “Hot Topics in EMS Today”
  • “Running a Medical Practice 101”
  • “Riding Along with HIPAA”
  • “Disaster Planning for Physicians”
  • “Medicare Appeals and Compliance Update”
  • “Planning the Plan: EMS Agencies Roles in the Disaster Planning Community”
  • “Cultivating Your People”
  • “Compliance: Maintaining Effectiveness & Joint Ventures”
  • “HIPAA Security, The Final Frontier – Maybe?”
  • “HIPAA, The ‘Doc Fix’ and Its Legal Ramifications”
  • “Moving Forward with HIPAA, What’s New, What’s Next?”
  • “Solutions to HIPAA Implementation”
  • “Employment Strategies for Physician Offices: What Every Employer Should Know”
  • “ABC’s of CPT- How to Determine if a Problem Exists”
  • “Compliance: Do the Right Thing, It’s Good for Business”
  • “Compliance Effectiveness: How Buy-In Generates Effectiveness (Keep Your Wealth)”
  • “Healthcare Fraud: The Crime of the Millennium”
  • “Health Tech and The Law: Opportunistic or Risky?”
  • “Risk Assessment”
  • “Physician Compliance Training”
  • “Compliance: Back to Basics”
  • “What To Do When Your Practice is Out of Compliance?”
  • “Do You Have Liability as a Biller?”
  • “Physician Contracting & HIPAA”
  • “Legal Concerns 101 for Practices”
  • “Contracts: Lori-Ann’s Tips and Tricks”
  • “Effective Estate Planning”
  • “Surprise Billing – Don’t Get Caught Off-Guard”
  • “The Pitfalls of the EMR”
  • “Contracts: What to Know Before You Negotiate”

Publications Include:

  • “Easy Guide to HIPAA Risk Assessments”, 2021
  • “Choose Your Health Insurance”, 2015
  • “Your Hospital Stay”, 2014
  • “Obamacare”, 2014
  • “Choosing An Assisted Living Facility”, 2014
  • “Healthcare Privacy”, 2014
  • “Before You Get Sick”, 2014
  • “HIPAA: Breach Notification Rule under HITECH – The Final Rule”, Health Care Weekly Review, 2013
  • “Prior Determinations: How Helpful Will They Be?”, The Health Lawyer, 2008
  • “Sicko’s Misdiagnosis Leads to Wrong Prescription”, Crain’s Detroit Business, 2007
  • “Unresolved Issues in Disaster Planning for Hospital Clients”, The Health Lawyer, 2007
  • “Deficit Reduction Act Expected to Ring in the New Year with Increased Qui Tam Activity”, Andrews Health Care Fraud Litigation Reporter, 2006
  • “Recent Developments in Regulation of Pharmaceutical Marketing Practices”, The Health Lawyer, 2006
  • “Avoiding Impropriety in Pharmaceutical Marketing Practices”, Health Care Compliance Association, 2006
  • “Changes in the Medicare Appeals Process”, Health Care Weekly Review, 2006
  • “Balancing Compliance With Necessity in the Wake of Bioterrorism Incident”, Health Care Compliance Association, 2006
  • “Disaster Planning: Balancing Compliance With Necessity”, Healthcare Weekly, 2005
  • “Bioterrorism: Healthcare Preparation and Response”, Healthcare Weekly, 2005
  • “HIPAA, Are We Done Yet?”, Healthcare Weekly, 2004
  • “Physician Compliance Plans: A Guide to Implementing a Compliance Plan in Your Office”, 2003
  • “ABC’s of Coding and Auditing”, 2002
  • “Get Hip with HIPAA Workbook”, 2002-2003
  • “How Buy-In Generates Effectiveness from Physicians,” Journal of Healthcare Compliance, 2001
  • “Physician Buy-In: Strategies for Persuading Physicians to Care About Compliance”, Journal of Healthcare Compliance, 2001
  • “Keeping Good Lawyers: Best Practices to Create Career Satisfaction”, published by the ABA Law Practice Management Section, May 2000


Interviews Include:

  • Six Figure Nurse
    • “How to Start Up a Healthcare Business”, 2013
  • IvyRehab
    • “Obamacare 101 with Lori-Ann Rickard”, 2013
  • HealthSparx.com
    • “How Law and Order for Healthcare Has Changed in the Last Ten Years”, 2013
  • RT Image
    • “Staffing: The Dotted Line vs. The Bottom Line”, 2009
  • AMedNews.com
    • “Is Your EMR Legal?”, 2008
    • “Recoup d’état: Fighting Recoupment Efforts”, 2005
    • “Bully Case Verdict a Warning for Doctors”, 2005

  • NPR Day to Day
    • “Bike Paramedics Cycle to Emergencies”, 2006
  • The Daily Oakland Press
    • “Where Were You When The Lights Went Out”, 2006
  • Healthcare Risk Management
    • “Be Voice of Reason When Sending Help”, 2005;
    • “Update your Email Policy Now to Keep Up with Usage”, 2005
  • McKnight’s Long-Term Care News & Associates
    • “Wound Care Feature: Prevent Defense”, 2005
  • Abilene Reporter News
    • “Don’t Let That Hospital Bill Be a Headache”, 2005
  • Markblum.com
    • “Nyah, What’s Up Doc?”, 2005


Ronald Rickard

“Our commitment to customer service is matched only by our passion for helping you realize positive, bottom-line results.”

Ronald Rickard

Ronald Rickard has over forty-five years of legal experience. An accomplished legal strategist and litigator, he specializes in corporate law, contracting, real estate, estate and business planning and domestic relations.  Mr. Rickard represents businesses, individuals and municipalities.  Mr. Rickard practices in Genesee, St. Clair, Lapeer, Wayne and Ingham Counties.

Mr. Rickard specializes in estate planning and administration. He crafts sophisticated estate plans to account for an individual’s wishes, minimize taxes, and plan for incapacitation. Mr. Rickard handles the estate and business planning needs of hundreds of trusts and foundations ranging from smaller estates to those with assets totaling over tens of millions of dollars.

Mr. Rickard is also an astute corporate lawyer and litigator. His personal experience stems from his personal corporations and businesses, which lend to his knowledge and efficiency of planning for family businesses. He owns and operates a variety of businesses, ranging from dollar stores, oil change businesses, gyms, and more. His varied and extensive experience allows him to create unique solutions and plan for all worst-case scenarios.

One-third of Mr. Rickard’s practice is dedicated to divorce, paternity, guardianship and complex custody proceedings.  Mr. Rickard has successfully represented thousands of clients in domestic relations matters in most counties in southeastern Michigan.

Mr. Rickard is the past president of the Lapeer County Bar Association, Imlay City Rotary Club and formerly served as a member of the Adrian College Board of Trustees.

Lauren Gilpin

“Our legal counsel is designed to help clients reach intelligent, practical solutions that address their most pressing needs.”

Lauren Gilpin

Lauren Gilpin provides a broad range of litigation and transactional services for corporations and individuals. She focuses her practice on business and corporate matters, IT contracts and disputes, estate planning, and healthcare law.

Ms. Gilpin routinely counsels and represents clients regarding business matters, contract negotiation, real estate, employment and transactional matters, estate planning and litigation. Ms. Gilpin litigates in Michigan courts.  As a specialist in health care law and related regulations, Ms. Gilpin frequently advises clients regarding physician/practice/hospital regulations, privacy and security and prepares and negotiates the necessary legal documents. Ms. Gilpin has represented clients in many criminal and civil issues throughout the state of Michigan.

Ms. Gilpin routinely advises clients on estate planning and drafts thoughtful estate plans, patient advocate, powers of attorney, trusts and related documents to meet their needs. She also provides trust administration and probate services. Ms. Gilpin works to minimize transfer taxes and provide optimum protection for the client’s wishes.

Ms. Gilpin previously worked in-house for a large energy company, providing thoughtful and creative business and legal solutions and advice on a variety of issues. She negotiated complex IT contracts, large distribution operation deals, and resolved multi-million dollar disputes.

Ms. Gilpin received her Bachelor of Science Degree in Broadcast Journalism, with minors in Criminal Justice and Art, magna cum laude, from Texas Christian University, where she competed in NCAA Division I athletics.  She received her Juris Doctorate degree from the University of Toledo College of Law, cum laude, where she was a member of the Arbitration Moot Court Team.  Ms. Gilpin is a lifelong resident of Grosse Pointe, Michigan.  Ms. Gilpin is a member of the State Bar of Michigan.