Spring 2022 Extern Michael Schellhous

Sitting comfortably in the top 4% of his class at Saint Louis University School of Law, Michael Schellhous already fits the Nixon Gwilt Law standard of excellence in his approach to work.

With extensive professional research experience already under his belt thanks to stints as a faculty fellow researcher, legal research analyst for an international think tank, and a legal intern for the largest hospital network in Missouri, Michael knows how to break complex legal situations down into actionable solutions.

We’re thrilled to have Michael on our team this semester and look forward to his contributions as he finishes his final semester of law school.

Here’s what Michael had to say about working at Nixon Gwilt Law:

What are you most excited to learn while working at Nixon Gwilt Law this semester?

Going into law school with a B.S. in Biochemistry and an interest in the intersection of technology and healthcare I knew that I wanted to focus my career on healthcare law and innovation. That passion has continued to grow and NGL provides the perfect place for me to continue my journey. Healthcare law is a complex area that is constantly evolving, and I am most excited to learn how to utilize my particular background and knowledge to best help healthcare clients navigate the quickly changing legal landscape in this fascinating area of the law.

What do you see as the most exciting innovation in healthcare/life sciences right now?

Scientific advancements and innovations quickly outpace changes in the legal landscape so that the law and regulatory requirements can easily become the rate limiting factor in how quickly innovation can effect change in the lives of patients. One of the most exciting developments in healthcare and the life sciences right now is the way that rapid innovation is causing a shift in the legal landscape to allow for a larger integration of innovation and technology within healthcare in a way that improves patient access, improves health outcomes, and drives further scientific development and innovation. These changes will not only have a deep impact on current healthcare providers and patients but will continue to have a far-reaching impact on healthcare innovation into the future.

What social causes are you most passionate about?

Over the past years we have seen a surge in social causes focused on the protection and advancement of universal human rights, in whatever form they may take. One such cause that is of particular interest to me is the push to increase equitable access to reliable and affordable health care to vulnerable and underserved populations. Current innovations in health care that increase patient access and remove barriers to accessing healthcare have a prime potential for helping address some of the underlying issues preventing vulnerable and underserved populations from receiving the care they need.