M. Richard Lewis Jr.

M. Richard Lewis Jr. is managing partner of Smith Hulsey & Busey, chair of the firm’s Business Department, and a member of its Board of Directors. His practice centers on mergers and acquisitions, healthcare law, corporate governance, regulatory compliance, and complex commercial transactions. With a legal career built on precision, insight, and leadership, Richard serves as a trusted advisor to major business entities, healthcare institutions, and investors.

M. Richard earned his J.D. from Vanderbilt University Law School, where he was inducted into the Order of the Coif, and holds a B.A. from Vanderbilt University. He is admitted to the Florida Bar and actively participates in professional associations, including the Jacksonville Bar Association, where he served on the Board of Governors and as president of the Young Lawyers Section, and the American Health Lawyers Association.

Richard’s transactional experience includes negotiating and executing high-value M&A deals, structuring equity investments and private placements, and coordinating corporate reorganizations and securities compliance. He has successfully led the representation of equity owners in company sales to private equity groups and provided comprehensive counsel on entity formation, governance structures, and shareholder agreements.

In healthcare, Richard represents leading health systems, physician groups, surgery centers, and cancer treatment providers. His advisory work includes multi-state health system integration, acquisitions of hospitals and urgent care centers, bond financings exceeding $1 billion, and ongoing guidance on Stark Law, anti-kickback compliance, tax exemption, and board governance. He has also facilitated cross-border healthcare collaborations and long-term representation of a national proton therapy provider with global affiliations.

M. Richard Lewis Jr.’s legal work has earned national recognition. Best Lawyers in America has named him “Lawyer of the Year” in Healthcare Law (2014, 2019) and in Mergers & Acquisitions (2017). Chambers USA ranks him in Corporate/M&A and Healthcare and holds an AV Preeminent rating from Martindale-Hubbell.

Law Office Affiliations

• Managing Partner / Board of Directors, Smith Hulsey & Busey
• Member, Jacksonville Bar Association
• Member, American Health Lawyers Association

Licensed State

• Florida

Education

• Vanderbilt University Law School
  Juris Doctor (JD)
• Vanderbilt University
  Bachelor of Arts (BA)

Awards & Badges