As an Oregon, Washington, and Wisconsin healthcare and business attorney, Jennifer (Jenny) E. Franks, J.D., Ph.D., focuses her legal practice on healthcare regulatory compliance, contracting, and business transactions. Ms. Franks works with physicians, healthcare organizations, insurers, and other healthcare stakeholders to navigate the complex regulatory and operational issues that shape today’s healthcare landscape.

Ms. Franks advises clients on a broad range of compliance and transactional matters, including issues under the Stark Law, Anti-Kickback Statute, HIPAA privacy and security rules, Medicare and Medicaid regulations, and state licensure requirements. She drafts and negotiates contracts such as provider and employment agreements, service contracts, and other operational documents. Her work emphasizes practical solutions that help clients manage regulatory risk and achieve business objectives.

Before joining the Beeghly Ricoy Law Group, Ms. Franks served as Lead Attorney for the SWOG Cancer Research Network, one of the National Cancer Institute’s (NCI’s) National Clinical Trials Network (NCTN) groups. In that role, she negotiated complex research, clinical trial, and data-sharing agreements with pharmaceutical sponsors and academic medical centers, collaborating closely with attorneys at the NCI’s Regulatory Affairs Branch. This work deepened her expertise in federal research contracting and compliance and continues to inform her interest in supporting clients in the clinical research and life sciences sectors.

Earlier in her career, Ms. Franks practiced for nearly a decade at Schwabe, Williamson & Wyatt in Portland, Oregon, where she advised healthcare providers, insurers, and healthcare businesses on compliance, transactions, and organizational matters. She developed substantial experience in structuring and negotiating healthcare business relationships and guiding clients through state and federal regulatory frameworks.

In addition to her legal credentials, Ms. Franks holds a Ph.D. in Biology from the University of California, San Diego, and completed postdoctoral research at Oregon Health & Science University. Her scientific training enhances her ability to interpret and communicate complex regulatory, technical, and data-driven issues—particularly in the evolving fields of healthcare and biomedical research.

Lewis & Clark Law School, Juris Doctor, cum laude

Oregon Health & Science University, Postdoctoral Research Fellow, Goodman Laboratory

University of California, San Diego, Doctor of Philosophy in Biology, Kadonaga Laboratory

University of Oregon, Robert D. Clark Honors College, Bachelor of Arts in Biology, Chemistry minor

Attorney, Beeghly Ricoy Law Group, March 2025 - Present

Ms. Franks focuses her legal practice on healthcare regulatory compliance, contracting, and business transactions. Her work includes advising physician groups, clinics, federally qualified health centers (FQHCs), and healthcare providers on regulatory and transactional matters, including issues involving the Stark Law, Anti-Kickback Statute, HIPAA, Medicare and Medicaid, and state licensure requirements. She also counsels clients on corporate governance and a variety of business transactions and contracts. Ms. Franks assists clients in drafting and negotiating provider, employment, and service agreements, and provides practical guidance to help healthcare entities navigate complex regulatory frameworks and achieve organizational objectives.

Lead Attorney (August 2022 – March 2025); Contract Analyst (August 2018 – July 2022) SWOG Cancer Research Network (National Cancer Institute National Clinical Trials Network)

Served as lead counsel for one of the National Cancer Institute’s (NCI’s) National Clinical Trials Network (NCTN) groups. Negotiated and finalized research and clinical trial agreements, collaborative research contracts, and data use and material transfer agreements with pharmaceutical sponsors and academic institutions. Worked closely with attorneys at the NCI Regulatory Affairs Branch to ensure compliance with federal research policies and standards. Provided legal guidance to SWOG leadership and staff on contract interpretation, policy compliance, and collaboration frameworks. This role strengthened Ms. Franks’s expertise in federal research contracting and deepened her understanding of the intersection between law, science, and public health.

Earlier at SWOG, drafted, reviewed, and negotiated a wide range of clinical research contracts, including study agreements, data use agreements, and confidentiality agreements. Developed template language to align with SWOG policy and NCI guidelines. Supported member institutions in navigating the contract review process. Collaborated with NCI attorneys and pharmaceutical partners to complete contract negotiations and activate clinical trials efficiently.

Associate Attorney (November 2009 – July 2018); Summer Associate (May – August 2008) Schwabe, Williamson & Wyatt, Portland, Oregon

Practiced healthcare and business law, advising hospitals, physician groups, insurers, and other healthcare clients on regulatory and transactional matters. Counseled clients on compliance with privacy and security laws (HIPAA), fraud and abuse laws, Medicare and Medicaid requirements, and state licensure obligations. Drafted, analyzed, and negotiated a variety of contracts, including employment, independent contractor, and provider agreements. Assisted clients with entity formation, mergers, reorganizations, and other business transitions.

Law Clerk, Bonneville Power Administration, Portland, Oregon, May – December 2007

Researched case and statutory law, analyzed legislative history, and presented findings to agency counsel. Prepared legal memoranda addressing issues of administrative and contract law.

Postdoctoral Research Fellow, Oregon Health & Science University, Vollum Institute, Portland, Oregon, July 2001 – August 2006

Conducted molecular biology research in the Goodman Laboratory, focusing on gene expression and transcriptional regulation in mammalian systems. Designed and performed experiments, authored peer-reviewed scientific publications, and mentored graduate and undergraduate researchers. Collaborated with other postdoctoral fellows and colleagues on research projects investigating the molecular mechanisms of transcriptional control.

Ph.D. Candidate, University of California, San Diego, Department of Biology, 1995 - 2001

Conducted interdisciplinary doctoral research in the Kadonaga Laboratory investigating mechanisms of gene regulation and enhancer–promoter specificity in Drosophila. Implemented complex experimental designs, integrating techniques from molecular biology, cell biology, biochemistry, and genetics to study transcriptional control. Published peer-reviewed findings and contributed to research advancing the understanding of gene expression mechanisms. Served as a teaching assistant for undergraduate laboratory courses and was awarded the Paul D. Saltman Teaching Assistant Excellence in Teaching Award for outstanding instruction.

“Cloned Animal Products in the Human Food Chain: FDA Should Protect American Consumers,” Food and Drug Law Journal, Vol. 64, No. 3, pp. 473–501 (2009).

“Deacetylase Activity Is Required for cAMP Activation of a Subset of CREB Target Genes,” Journal of Biological Chemistry, 278: 43014–43019 (2003) (co-authored).

“The RNA Polymerase II Core Promoter: A Key Component in the Regulation of Gene Expression,” Genes & Development, 16: 2583–2592 (2002) (co-authored).

“Enhancer–Promoter Specificity Mediated by DPE or TATA Core Promoter Motifs,” Genes & Development, 15: 2515–2519 (2001) (co-authored).“Specification of Enhancer Function by DPE or TATA Core Promoter Motifs,” Ph.D. Thesis, University of California, San Diego (2001).

“The Development of a Transient Assay System for Assessing Expression of the Maize Tissues,” Robert D. Clark Honors College Undergraduate Thesis, University of Oregon (1995).

Ms. Franks participates or has served with the following organizations:

Member, Health Law Section, Oregon State Bar (2012 – Present); served on the Executive Committee (2012 – 2018), including Treasurer (2013) and Chair (2015)

Past Member, American Health Lawyers Association

Past Member, American Bar Association, Health Law Section

Selected as a Rising Star by Super Lawyers in 2017–2018 and 2018–2019

Past Member and Board Member, Amazon Dragons Paddling Club, where she assisted in revising the organization’s bylaws and governance documents

Volunteer, Sun Prairie Food Pantry, Wisconsin

Ms. Franks is a member in good standing of the Oregon State Bar, Washington State Bar Association, and the State Bar of Wisconsin.