Jim likes to listen to what people need and think of how best to get them where they want to be as simply and effectively as possible.

Jim Flynn is Bricker Graydon's Managing Partner and chair of the firm's Health Care Practice Group. He has been with the firm since he started practicing law in 1990. His practice is focused on transactions, board governance, executive compensation, and health care regulatory issues.

Jim has earned a statewide and national reputation as a leading advisor in health care law and governance. He represents health care providers (such as hospitals, health systems, and nursing homes), trade associations, health information exchanges, and non-profit corporations. He has extensive experience counseling clients on matters relating to mergers and acquisitions, governance practices, long-term care, executive compensation, strategic planning, public-private partnerships, regulatory, and reimbursement.

As Managing Partner, Jim leads the firm’s strategy and operation of 10 offices with 400 team members. He chairs the firm’s executive committee and oversees the leadership team responsible for day-to-day operations. In April 2023, Jim helped orchestrate the merger of Columbus-headquartered Bricker & Eckler and Cincinnati-headquartered Graydon, Head & Ritchey, and was selected as the Managing Partner for the combined firm.

Passionate about moving the needle on diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts in the legal profession, Jim oversaw the hiring of the firm’s first Chief DEI Officer and led the firm to participate in the Diversity Lab’s Mansfield Rule certification process. In each year of its participation that began in 2021, the firm has achieved Certification “Plus” status. He engages in numerous activities, inside and outside of the firm, in pursuit and support of meaningful DEI efforts.

His notable leadership accomplishments since becoming the Managing Partner in 2018 include:

• Addition of a new Chief Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Officer position
• Expanded geographic footprint of the firm
• Attainment of annual Mansfield Rule certification “plus”
• Leadership development training, both internally and in partnership with other organizations
• Guiding the firm’s business operations during the COVID-19 pandemic

Education

University of Notre Dame, J.D. (1990)

University of Notre Dame, B.A. (1987)

Distinctions

Ranked, Chambers USA – Health Care: Band 1 (2013–2024); Band 2 (2012)

Listed, The Best Lawyers in America® – Health Care Law (2005–2025)

Listed, Super Lawyers®, part of Thomson Reuters® – Ohio, (Health Care), (2004, 2007–2021); Top 5 Columbus, (2013); Top 50 Columbus, (2010–2015); Top 100 Columbus, (2009–2014)

Listed, Client Service All-Stars, BTI Consulting Group (2019–2020)

Columbus Lawyer of the Year, The Best Lawyers in America® – Health Care Law (2015, 2018)

Martindale-Hubbell AV Preeminent® Peer Review Rated™

Professional Activities

Leadership Council on Legal Diversity (2018–Present)

Ohio Business Roundtable (2018–Present)

One Columbus Leadership Circle (2019–Present)

Harry C. Moores Foundation Trustee (2018–Present)

LawVision Managing Partner Roundtable (2018–Present)

Member, Admissions Committee - Columbus Bar Association (2005–Present)

Managing Partner Diversity Initiative, (2018–Present)

Board of Directors, (2015–2021); Executive Committee, (2019–2021); Chair of Education Committee, (2019–2021); Chair of Regulation, Accreditation, and Payment Practice Group, (2013–2015); Vice Chair, (2006–2013), American Health Law Association

Cristo Rey Columbus High School Professional Work Study Program (2013–2020)

Society of Ohio Hospital Attorneys (2002–Present)

Leadership Columbus, Class of 2007 graduate

Co-Founder and Past President, Modcon Living, fka Columbus Christmas in April (1990–1999)

Board Member, President, and Treasurer, Alzheimer's Association of Central Ohio  (2000–2011)

Member, Columbus Bar Association

• Closed a significant transaction for a long-term care buyer acquiring a portfolio of 18 facilities from a private equity seller in 2022 and advised on the successful implementation of it throughout 2023.
• Led or was significantly involved in four of the 8 transactions in which the firm was involved where a public hospital converted to a private hospital.
• Facilitated and led a hospital strategic planning development in 2022.
• Developed a long-term incentive plan for a non-profit business in 2019 and continue to advise on its implementation.
• Helped launch a non-profit, public-private partnership health information exchange in 2010 and continue to advise its governance and strategy on the use of electronic medical records and community health.
• Work with tax-exempt entities on ESG programs, community health needs assessments, and exemption activities.

News

Resource Centers

Speaking Engagements

Publications

Additional Items

• Co-Presenter, “Governance Pitfalls and Best Practices,” Ohio Hospital Association Annual Meeting (June 2024)
• Speaker, “Corporate Governance: Heightened Duties in a Post-Pandemic World” American Health Law Association Annual Meeting (June 2023)
• Speaker, "ESG in the Hospital Industry: What it Means and How it Works" Ohio Hospital Association Annual Meeting (June 2023)
• Speaker, "The Private Equity Influence: Glimpse into Health Care Transaction Activity" Ohio Hospital Association Annual Meeting (June 2023)
• Speaker, "Trends and Opportunities in Executive Compensation" Ohio Hospital Association Annual Meeting (June 2023)
• Speaker, “ESG Overview for Health Care Organizations” American Health Law Association webinar (February 2023)
• Speaker, multiple Board retreats, and governance training (e.g., “Governance Do’s and Don’ts and Best Practices” (January 2021)

Faith, family, and sports. No three words better define how Jim became who he is today. He strives to live his faith in the way that he interacts with and serves others. From a family of five kids, he now has five of his own by virtue of the addition of a son-in-law in 2023. Jim met his life partner of well over 30 years in law school at Notre Dame. Either on the flag football field of law school intramurals or the law school chapel, depending on which version of the story you want to believe. Humility, humor, and usually a card or board game fill family time and Jim’s tank.

His athletic days are well behind him, but he still draws on his years of playing and coaching team sports in the way that he leads, serves others, and sees life. After coaching other kids for a number of years before starting to have his own, Jim coached all of his kids in multiple sports. Now, he attends the soccer games his twin girls are still playing in college and makes it to many of his favorite college and pro sports team games. Former teammates and kids he coached form a solid network of ongoing friendship and loyalty.

What most people would not know or expect is his narrow niches of expertise in the kitchen, including strombolis, crème brulee, waffle creations and all things grillin’. Yardwork provides a remarkable sanctuary of peace on the weekends and his flower beds are not shabby. Those are the closest things to hobbies Jim has to this point.

Jim had no connections to Ohio before moving there in 1990, and his two degrees from Notre Dame do not score many points in the Columbus area where he lives, similar to how his alma mater’s football team has had fewer points every time they have faced Ohio State in that time. This has cost him some wagers and a lot of grief, but he welcomes that “sport” as well.