By Casey Sullivan 

Jan 17 (Reuters) - David Douglass, the chair of the American Bar Association's Health Law Section and a white collar criminal defense attorney, has joined the Los Angeles law firm Sheppard Mullin Richter & Hampton as a partner in Washington, the firm announced on Thursday.

Douglass specializes in defending pharmaceutical and healthcare companies that are facing criminal investigations. He joins Sheppard Mullin from the Kansas City, Missouri, law firm Shook Hardy & Bacon, where he co-chaired its government enforcement and compliance practice group.

Anne Perry, co-chair of Sheppard Mullin's government contracts practice, said Douglass's expertise was valuable to the firm because government officials, who are under budgetary pressures, have become increasingly aggressive in pursuing fraud claims against healthcare companies.

Douglass's clients have included medical devices company Boston Scientific Corporation, health insurer Health Care Services Corporation and defense contractor Custer Battles, according to Douglass and media reports.

Douglass said he joined Sheppard Mullin because of its strong government contracts practice and long list of clients in the healthcare industry.

Last year, Sheppard Mullin represented DaVita Inc, a provider of kidney dialysis services, in its $4.42 billion merger with Health Care Partners, a large operator of medical groups and physician networks.

John Murphy, the chairman of Shook, Hardy & Bacon, said he wished Douglass well in his new position.

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