Jeanne E. Helton

Jeanne E. Helton is a shareholder at Smith Hulsey & Busey and a leading member of the firm’s Health Care Practice Team. She provides comprehensive legal counsel to health care professionals and organizations on complex regulatory compliance, licensure, and transactional matters. Her experience spans federal and Florida-specific laws, including HIPAA, EKRA, the False Claims Act, and anti-kickback statutes.

Jeanne earned her Juris Doctor and Bachelor of Science degrees from the University of Florida. She received her J.D. from the University of Florida Levin College of Law and earned her B.S. with high honors, demonstrating early academic excellence throughout her distinguished legal career. She is admitted to practice in Florida and represents clients before state and federal regulatory bodies.

Jeanne’s legal practice includes advising a wide range of clients, such as long-term care facilities, pharmacies, hospitals, laboratories, medical and dental groups, medical device distributors, and home health agencies, on issues like Medicare, Medicaid, and Tricare enrollment and audits, billing investigations, and administrative appeals. Jeanne also assists with structuring private equity-backed entities and operational relationships that comply with state and federal healthcare regulations.

In addition to representing clients, Jeanne chairs the Meritas Health Care Practice Industry Group for North America and serves on the Meritas U.S. Leadership Committee. She is a frequent speaker at national and state health law events and has held leadership roles with the Florida Bar Health Law Section and other professional organizations.

Jeanne E. Helton’s commitment to health care law has earned her recognition from Best Lawyers in America, Chambers USA, Florida Trend Legal Elite, and Jacksonville Business Journal, where she was named a Health Care Hero and Woman of Influence. Her reputation for excellence is backed by her AV rating from Martindale-Hubbell and her results-driven client service.

Law Office Affiliations

• Shareholder, Smith Hulsey & Busey
• Member, American Health Lawyers Association
• Member, American Bar Association, Health Law Section
• Member, The Florida Bar, Health Law Section
• Member, Jacksonville Bar Association
• Member, Health Care Compliance Association
• Member, Jacksonville Chamber of Commerce Health Council
• Member, Jacksonville Women Business Owners
• Member, Jacksonville Women’s Network
• Member, Northeast Florida Medical Group Management Association

Licensed State

• Florida

Education

• University of Florida
  Juris Doctor (JD)
• University of Florida
  Bachelor of Science (BS)

Awards & Badges