History

Managing Member, John S Conniff, PLLC (Current)

In addition to running a law firm, John is a serial entrepreneur. He has owned or co-owned several small businesses including Healthy Patients | Healthy Lives, a company providing business services to small health care practices and a multi-media company – JJP Media. He still works and plays well with non-lawyers.

President/Owner, Compliant Solutions, LLC (Current) company dedicated to providing cost-effective regulatory compliance solutions for health care practitioners and businesses including health information risk assessments and HIPAA training.

Partner, Peick Law Group, Bellevue, Washington (2006 – 2011)

Washington State Deputy Insurance Commissioner, Olympia, Washington (1993 – 2000) responsible for law and policy governing health insurance and health care reform.

  • He led the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) Health Information and Privacy Working Group that developed a new model statute for health information privacy. (1997 – 1998)
  • He also led the NAIC Health Plan Accountability Working Group that developed new model laws for managed health care including health plan network adequacy, provider contracting, grievance procedures, and utilization review. (1994 – 1997)

Legislative Counsel, Olympia, Washington (1986 – 1993) with the Washington State House of Representatives, Office of Program Research. Responsible for laws governing insurance, managed health care, financial institutions, and related subjects including ERISA, antitrust, health care regulation, and tort liability.

Education

Juris Doctorate, cum laude, Seattle University School of Law, Seattle, Washington.

B.A., Political Science, Seattle University, Seattle, Washington.

Experience

John Conniff combines his broad background and practical knowledge to help his clients find workable solutions to difficult problems. For over 25 years, he has counseled individuals, businesses, professionals, legislators, and government officials.

His wide range of experience provides him with insight into the complicated connections between business and law. He has worked extensively on insurance regulation, health information privacy and security standards, health care regulatory compliance, managed health care, ERISA, and business transactions.

He represents diverse organizations, businesses and professionals including trade associations, employer health plans, insurers, and health care practitioners.

John Conniff is admitted to practice law in Washington and Oregon.

Authorship

“The Association Health Plan Roller Coaster,” Plexus, Washington State Chiropractic Association Journal, September, 2019

Appropriate Business Structures for Health Care Providers,” Washington Massage Journal, Winter 2015

The Long Road of Chiropractic Law in Washington,” Plexus, Washington State Chiropractic Association Journal, December 2014

Health Care Reform for Employers: Now What?” Lorman Education Services, December 3, 2013, Seattle, Washington

Antitrust Basics,” Plexus, Washington State Chiropractic Association Journal, January/February 2010

Regulating Managed Health Care: Provider Sponsored Organizations,” Journal of Insurance Regulation, Summer 1998, Vol. 16, No. 4.

Saving Rural Gas Stations: State Financial Assistance for Underground Petroleum Storage Tanks”, University of Puget Sound Law Review, Vol. 15, No. 11, 1991.

An Uncertain Balancing Act: State Pre-Emption,” and “HIPAA Lite: Gramm-Leach-Bliley,” The HIPAA Handbook: What Your Organization Should Know About the Federal Privacy Standards, URAC, 2001.

Protecting Health Care Privacy: The NAIC Model Health Information Privacy Act,” Workers Compensation Research Institute, November 2000, WC-00-4.