Emily K. Bowles
Emily Bowles brings extensive experience and insight into her counsel and partnership with clients, particularly in the behavioral health space.
As the former Associate Director for Licensing, Regulatory Compliance, Quality and Data at the Virginia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services (DBHDS), Emily is acutely adept at guiding her clients through a range of issues relating to behavioral health, substance abuse disorders, developmental services, licensure, compliance, Medicare and Medicaid reimbursement, and medical records. Emily also navigates her clients through Certificate of Public Need (COPN) matters and the Independent Informal Dispute Resolution Process (IDR) to dispute cited deficiencies for nursing facilities.
At DBHDS, Emily oversaw the legal and regulatory functions of the Office of Licensing. In this capacity, she:
- Advised the agency on regulatory interpretation
- Guided the licensure process for a range of behavioral health providers
- Oversaw licensure issues related to various transactions
- Advised on the change of ownership application process
- Drafted legislative proposals
Emily also served as the DBHDS lead for the following regulatory actions, implementing major statewide initiatives, including:
- Compliance with Virginia's Settlement Agreement with the United States Department of Justice (DOJ)
- Amendments to Align the Licensing Regulations with Enhanced Behavioral Health Services
- Amendments to Align the Licensing Regulations with the American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM) criteria
- Amendments to Align the Children's Residential Regulations with the ASAM Criteria
- Amendments to Align the Children's Residential Regulations with the Family First Prevention Service Act (FFPSA)
In these roles, Emily has gained significant experience with the Virginia Administrative Process Act (VAPA), the Virginia Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), the Virginia Health Records Privacy Act, and the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA).
Emily received her Juris Doctor degree from the University of Richmond School of Law, where she served as symposium editor for the Richmond Public Interest Law Review. She received her Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Virginia.
- University of Richmond School of Law (J.D.)
- University of Virginia (B.A.)
Community Involvements
- Goochland Family YMCA - Board Member
Bar Admissions
- Virginia State Bar
Virginia Super Lawyers – "Rising Stars," Health Care (2025)
Experience
THE MATTERS LISTED BELOW ARE ILLUSTRATIVE OF THE MATTERS HANDLED BY THE FIRM. MATTER RESULTS DEPEND UPON A VARIETY OF FACTORS UNIQUE TO EACH MATTER. NOT ALL MATTER RESULTS ARE PROVIDED. MATTER RESULTS DO NOT GUARANTEE OR PREDICT A SIMILAR RESULT IN ANY FUTURE CASE UNDERTAKEN BY THE LAWYER.
- Guided multiple providers through a myriad of licensure requirements and compliance matters relating to the Virginia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services (DBHDS).
- Assisted a provider of developmental services in negotiating a consent agreement with DBHDS following a notice of intent to revoke licensure, resolving the matter without formal licensure revocation proceedings.
- Advised and provided key strategic support for a COPN request to transfer nursing home beds. Such support included strategic guidance through the informal fact-finding conference and post-conference submissions.
- Assisted several nursing homes through the Independent Dispute Resolution Process (IDR) challenging deficiency citations.
- Reviewed clinical documentation to determine compliance with DMAS billing requirements, analyzed risks for a Medicaid audit, and advised a behavioral health provider on next steps related to audit.
- Advised behavioral health and substance use disorder treatment providers on complex Anti‑Kickback Statute compliance issues, including the structuring of referral relationships and financial arrangements in a highly regulated environment.
