Alumni Spotlight: Derek Empie

Name: Derek Empie
Title: Vice President and Deputy General Counsel – Indiana University Health
Firm Background: Associate, 2005-09; Health & Life Sciences Group, Indy 96th

Derek Empie didn’t start out to pursue a legal career, but a college internship with NBC Sports began a robust career path that eventually led to his current role as vice president and deputy general counsel for Indiana University Health.

“Live and learn in the moment and don't get so caught up in trying to figure out what you're going to be in 5 years, because you never know what path your life is going to take you,” is the advice Derek gives his own kids. “I mean, I went from working in network television to utility law to health care law!”

That first internship had Derek hooked on the world of sports media — he earned a master’s degree in media management, worked for NBC Sports during the 1996 Summer Olympics, wrote for ESPN’s X Games, and ended up in Atlanta working for Turner Broadcasting’s marketing team. While at Turner, Derek worked with several attorneys and other law school graduates, which rekindled his interest in a legal career, which he considered as an undergrad at DePauw University before choosing the media path.

After law school, Derek landed an associate position with an Atlanta-area firm practicing in Project, Development and Finance for energy companies performing mostly transaction work. When he and his wife decided to move closer to family in Carmel, Indiana, he accepted an offer from our firm’s growing health care practice. The move was intense, but worth it!

“It was a stressful time,” Derek said, “because we had twin newborns and a 20-month-old. We were living with my in-laws, and I had to study for the Indiana bar, while starting a new job at a new law firm. So, it was a lot of life changes all at one time, but I'm glad it happened.”

When Derek started at the firm, he was the only associate working with Partner Pat Cross. They developed a strong working relationship that continues to this day.

“Because I was his first associate, I jokingly tell him that I broke him in as a boss,” Derek said. “Pat Cross is one of the best lawyers I've worked with, and I'm grateful I had the opportunity to work with him and really grow and learn from his experience and counsel, which continues to this day.”

While at the firm, Derek worked on a lot of projects for Indiana University Health during a period of rapid expansion for the organization — which led to a very tough decision. In Derek’s eighth year of practice (fifth year at the firm), IU Health approached him about an in-house position. He loved the work he was doing with Pat, but the ability to become more involved in the business aspect of the health care industry prompted him to make the move.

Now, Derek is vice president and deputy general counsel at IU Health, overseeing the day-to-day operations of the corporate legal group. With the constantly evolving legal landscape of health care, he says the job is never dull.

“I like the variety,” Derek explained. “It keeps you on your toes. I feel like I'm learning something still every day. IU Health does an annual employee engagement survey through Gallup. The legal department has been the top performing group for several years now so that's great. It's great to know that that our team is highly engaged and enjoys their jobs and enjoys the people they work with. The most rewarding thing is to have such a talented team who likes what they do. My ability to help create and maintain a positive, supportive and engaging environment within our department is a reflection of the priorities set by IU Health leadership, where our CEO Dennis Murphy and General Counsel and CAO Erin Lewis (who is a former colleague of mine at the firm) have led by example in establishing a meaningful culture within our organization.”

And he still works with Pat and the rest of the Faegre Drinker team on a regular basis. In addition to the many legal matters IU Health brings to the firm, Derek recently had an opportunity to partner with us to kick off a meaningful pro bono project. To more closely align with the organization’s mission, IU Health’s legal team wanted to form a medical legal partnership program — collaborating with community organizations to provide pro bono legal services to address pressing health concerns in the greater Indianapolis area.

“We didn't know where to start,” Derek said. “So Pat Cross connected me with Carl Pebworth, who is really active in pro bono, and helped us — after month of meetings — get up and running. We hosted our first event in September and it was a huge success, so we're going to continue to build upon that. We couldn't have done it without Faegre Drinker’s assistance and Carl’s guidance. That's just an example of something the firm did for us. It was an intangible that the firm didn't charge us for. It shows how engaged and connected they are to bringing different opportunities to their clients that aren't necessarily billable things.”

Derek’s three kids, who prompted his move to Faegre Drinker, are all in college now at DePauw University. The empty nester life is treating Derek and his wife well — they travel regularly to catch their daughter’s soccer games, hike with their dog, play pickleball and try out new recipes in the kitchen. Now that his children are preparing to start their own careers, Derek is sharing the lessons he’s learned throughout his journey.

“The advice I give to my kids now is to live in the moment,” he said. “Embrace the challenges that you have. Follow your passion and what interests you.”