After a long, productive career with one of the nation’s leading law firms, Venable LLP, Constance H. Baker started her own solo practice, CH Baker Law several years ago.
The defining characteristic of Connie’s law practice has been and will continue to be long-standing relationships and deep understanding of clients’ needs in health and educational spheres.
The excellence of her work is widely attested by colleagues in the legal community — as evidenced by her recognition in The Best Lawyers in America-Health Care Law (1995-present) and Education Law (2016) and Maryland Superlawyers (2006-present).
In Healthcare, Connie advises hospitals, health systems, physicians and physician group practices and medical staffs in contracts, regulatory compliance, medical staff issues, peer review and quality assurance best practices, reporting obligations, compliance and state and federal investigations.
In independent school law, Connie advises independent schools and independent school associations in student and faculty issues, enrollment agreements, contracts and regulatory compliance for Heads of Schools, student discipline, employment matters, student and faculty handbooks, reporting of abuse and neglect and other standards of care.
Click to read more details about Connie’s fields of concentration and representative clients.
GOVERNMENT EXPERIENCE:
Assistant Attorney General and Prosecutor, Maryland Board of Physicians, State of Maryland, 1979-1981. Investigated and prosecuted physicians before Maryland Board of Physicians.
Member, Joint Executive/Legislative Task Force on Medical Malpractice Insurance, 1985, resulting in tort reform enacted by Maryland Legislature in 1986.
EDUCATION:
J.D., Catholic University of America.
B.A., Summa cum laude, Vassar College.
PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS:
Connie is a member of NBOA, the leading professional organization of independent school business managers. She provides webinars and presentations for the National Association of Independent Schools and the Association of Independent Maryland and D.C. Schools. Connie has had significant involvement with the American Health Lawyers Association, serving as the first female board member from 1977-88. A frequent faculty member in AHLA’s many educational programs, she has addressed topics such as compliance with the Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act (“EMTALA”), avoidance of negligent credentialing and peer review best practices. She has served as an arbitrator on the AHLA Dispute Resolution Service, and has arbitrated disputes regarding graduate medical education programs and physician recruitment agreements. Connie is also a member of the Maryland State Bar Association, Section on Health Care Law.
PATIENT SAFETY CERTIFICATIONS
Basic Certificate in Patient Safety, Institute for Healthcare Improvement Open School, 2013 (including completion of online courses in Improvement Capability, Patient Safety, Leadership, Person- and Family-Centered Care, Triple Aim, and Quality, Cost, and Value.)
Certificate of Accomplishment, The Science of Safety, Coursera, 2013 (5 -week on line course taught by Peter Pronovost, M.D. and colleagues at Johns Hopkins University.)
HONORS
- The Best Lawyers in America (Healthcare law, Woodward/White), 1995-present.
- The Best Lawyers in America (Education law, Woodward/White) 2016 (first year published)
- Who’s Who of American Women, 2007-present
- Who’s Who in America, 2007-present
- Maryland Super Lawyers, 2008-present
- AV Peer-Review Rated by Martindale-Hubbell
- Fellow, American Health Lawyers Association, 2007-present
- Honored by HopeWell Cancer Support for 14 years of Board service, 2013
PUBLICATIONS:
Connie has published articles pertaining to health care law and independent schools, including publications such as the New England Journal of Medicine (“Keeping Health Care Workers Healthy: Legal Aspects of Hepatitis B Immunization Programs”, Sept. 6, 1984); American Health Lawyers Association Health Law Update (“Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act: A Compliance Quagmire Beyond the Emergency Room”, Sept. 2001); and Hospital Law Newsletter (“A Proposal for a Malice Barometer in Physician Peer Review: Twenty Questions You Should Ask”, Aug. 1988).
PRESENTATIONS:
Connie has participated in national seminars on health care and independent school law subjects, including conferences of the American Health Lawyers Association, the Greeley Medical Staff Institute, Maryland Hospital Education Institute, the National Association of Independent Schools, the National Business Officers Association and the Association of Independent Maryland Schools and D.C. Schools.
Connie recently presented a webinar for the National Association of Independent Schools on Head of School employment agreements. Other recent presentations at the National Association of Independent Schools/The Association of Boarding Schools Legal Symposium included Managing International Travel Risks. In 2022-2022, she presented a series of webinars on various pandemic related topics for the Association of Independent Maryland and D.C. Schools, and regularly provides legal updates for the Heads of Schools.
CHARITABLE ORGANIZATIONS, PATIENT ADVOCACY AND OTHER INTERESTS
Currently Connie is a member of the Gilchrist Hospice Board Quality Committee associated with the Greater Baltimore Medical Center, and the Gilchrist Family and Caregivers Advisory Council. She is an active volunteer for Vassar College and works on fundraising and planning reunions. From 2000-2013, Connie served on the Board of Directors of HopeWell Cancer Support, Inc., a non-profit organization providing free support services to cancer patients and their families. In October 2013, she was honored by HopeWell for 14 years of Board service. She has also reviewed research proposals as a patient stakeholder for the Patient Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI). Her experience as a breast cancer survivor adds another dimension to her patient perspective and volunteer activities. Connie enjoys spending time with her wonderful family, including her amazing husband Tom, two fantastic sons Chuck and Dan, two outstanding and accomplished daughters-in-law Sarah and Elizabeth, three adorable granddaughters and one grandson to whom all of these adjectives apply. Connie also likes to travel, play golf, garden, and explore the world of art.
