Dharma Patel, General Counsel, has dedicated more than 20 years of leadership to UNITE HERE HEALTH. She is a member of the executive leadership team, and advises staff, the CEO, and Board of Trustees.
In this role, Dharma oversees a team of legal staff who handle various tasks, including plan compliance, contract review, collections and subrogation recoveries, HIPAA privacy, litigation, subpoenas, labor issues, and review of collective bargaining agreements. Additionally, Dharma oversees outside counsel and responds to governmental inquiries.
Dharma is a leader in legal strategy and compliance. She is known for her problem-solving abilities, clear communication, and meticulous attention to detail. Among her notable achievements, Dharma has developed a skilled in-house legal team, successfully closed multiple Department of Labor (DOL) audits, and led the due diligence for seven fund mergers into UNITE HERE HEALTH. Her leadership and strategic counsel during the pandemic earned her recognition as one of the top 51 General Counsels by Crain’s Chicago Business in 2021.