John D. Shire

Co-Chair, Health Care & Life Sciences

Recent News:

John Shire Elected to Peter B. Teeley Children’s Charities Foundation Board of Directors

John Shire has been elected to the Board of Directors of the Peter B. Teeley Children’s Charities Foundation (CCF).

John focuses his corporate and transactional practice on the health care and life sciences industry, as well as other highly regulated sectors. He represents public and private companies in acquisitions, investments, debt financings, joint ventures, commercial contracts, and private placements. John also advises companies in these sectors on strategic mergers and acquisitions, and public exit strategies. He also advises private funds on formation, structure, and capital allocation in the health care, life sciences, and digital medicine sectors. John has led several high-profile transactions in the U.S. health care arena and routinely counsels portfolio companies, venture capital funds, and private equity funds on transactional, regulatory, and licensing matters. His clients include biopharma companies, biotech companies, specialty pharmacy suppliers, GPOs, specialty-care providers, and the full range of institutional clinical (Part A), and primary and specialty (Part B) service providers. John counsels clients in transactions, and compliance with Medicare, Medicaid, and U.S. Department of Justice initiatives, including CID responses. In addition to transactional and regulatory work, John serves as outside general counsel to innovative entities, and has experience representing investment banks and private funds in technology and digital health care deals.

John is widely regarded for his innovative, hands-on approach. Clients describe him as a trusted partner who blends legal experience with a deep understanding of the health care market, offering tailored, proactive solutions. His exceptional insight and strategic guidance have earned him significant recognition, with clients noting that he consistently delivers high-caliber, customized experiences that position their companies for sustainable success in an increasingly regulated environment. John’s ability to work seamlessly with his colleagues has solidified his reputation for leading dynamic, cohesive teams that consistently exceed expectations.

 

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Experience

News

John Shire Elected to Peter B. Teeley Children’s Charities Foundation Board of Directors

June 13, 2025

John Shire has been elected to the Board of Directors of the Peter B. Teeley Children’s Charities Foundation (CCF).

Cozen O’Connor Lawyers and Practices Earn Top Recognition in Chambers USA 2025 Guide

June 05, 2025

Chambers USA, the leading annual guide to the top lawyers and law firms in the United States, has ranked 98 Cozen O’Connor lawyers as leaders in their respective fields in the guide’s 2025 edition.

Christiana Spine Ambulatory Surgical Center Forms Partnership with Virtua Health

November 20, 2024

John Shire was quoted in an EIN Presswire article discussing the successful partnership between Christiana Spine Ambulatory Surgical Center (CSASC) and Virtua Health. Cozen O'Connor handled the complex legal elements of the transaction, with John and Aselle Kurmanova serving as CSASC’s legal counsel.

Cozen O'Connor's Corporate Practice Selected as a 2024 Best Corporate Practice of the Year Finalist by The American Lawyer

September 05, 2024

Cozen O’Connor is pleased to announce that the firm’s Corporate Practice has been selected by The American Lawyer as a 2024 Best Corporate Practice of the Year finalist for 2024.

Cozen O’Connor Makes Strategic Move Adding John D. Shire to Washington, D.C. Health Care Practice

November 02, 2020

Shire brings a deep understanding of federal and state health care regulations and has been instrumental in several of the most well-known transactions in the health care space.

Publications

Industry Interactions with Physicians Continue to be a Hot Topic for Civil False Claims Act Enforcement Actions under Private Qui Tam Litigation [Health Law Informer Blog]

October 06, 2022

In a continuing wave of fraud and abuse civil enforcement actions brought by qui tam relators, big pharma giant, Biogen, is the latest corporate actor to reach a mega settlement with the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) for allegations of False Claims Act liability for paying bribes to physicians...

Events & Seminars

Past Events

Health Care & Life Sciences 2025

December 05, 2024 - Philadelphia, PA

Health & Life Sciences Investing

May 15, 2024 - New York, NY

Health Law 2024

December 05, 2023 - Philadelphia, PA

ESG Factors in M&A Deals

May 10, 2023 - New York, NY

Telehealth in the New Administration

June 11, 2021 - Webinar

Health Law 2021

December 07, 2020 - Webinar

Education

  • Dickinson School of Law, J.D.
  • Bucknell University, B.A.

Awards & Honors

Chambers USA, 2025

  • District of Columbia
  • Maryland
  • New Jersey
  • Pennsylvania

Board of Directors, Florida Venture Forum

Board of Directors, Peter B. Teeley Children’s Charities Foundation

Cane Angel Network