About
Hillary M. Dorne, a Partner at Buchalter, advises on mergers, acquisitions, divestitures, and joint ventures, with most of her clients in the health care field. She counsels individuals and companies on business planning, governance, compliance, stock options, and finance, and she helps entrepreneurs in several industries form and run a company. Her health care work includes the purchase and sale of professional practices. Hillary earned her J.D. from the University of San Diego School of Law. She practices in the Corporate, Commercial Finance, and Health Care groups at Buchalter's San Diego office. The San Diego Business Journal named her a Women of Influence in Law in 2022 and 2025, and the 2026 Legal 500 U.S. Elite rankings recognize her for Corporate and M&A. She also helps families plan the transfer of a business from one generation to the next, often in step with a sale or a merger.
Who is a good fit for Hillary M. Dorne
- Health care businesses preparing a merger, acquisition, or divestiture.
- Health care professionals buying or selling a professional practice.
- Entrepreneurs setting up a joint venture with another company.
Education and admissions
- Education
- University of San Diego School of Law, J.D.
- University of California, Davis, B.S.
- University of Barcelona School of International Law Program
- Bar admissions
- California
Recognition
- Women of Influence in Law 2022 and 2025 by the San Diego Business Journal
- 2026 Legal 500 U.S. Elite, Corporate and M&A
Specialties
Representative matters
As described on the firm’s website.
- Represents lenders and borrowers in documentation, negotiation and closing of commercial lending transactions (involving acquisition and development, construction, ground lease and(or) permanent financing for office, hotel, retail, commercial and industrial properties)
- Prepares business contracts documenting essential early relationships, joint venture agreements, buy/sell agreements between business partners, and advises clients regarding short and long-term business planning and strategies
- Forms business organizations, including limited liability companies, partnerships, and corporations
- Provides a wide-range of federal, state and local business advice to individuals, partnerships, corporations, and other business entities on corporate compliance
- Represents health care companies in mergers and acquisitions, formation of multi-specialty groups, independent practice associations, and management service organizations
- Negotiates management service contracts, physician service agreements, employment, independent contractor, shareholder and partnership agreements, purchase and sale of professional practices and related agreements
- Represents clients in real property transactions, including sales, leasing, acquisitions, 1031 exchanges, and financing, for both residential and commercial properties
- Represents clients in various business matters and transactions, including business governance, joint ventures, mergers and acquisitions, reorganizations and spin-offs, and liquidations
- Assists clients with multi-generational succession planning for closely-held businesses and other personal and/or family assets
- Designs and structures estate planning documents for clients (including wills, trusts, advance health care directives, asset management powers of attorney, etc.)
Deal profile
- Typical deal size
- Any deal size
- Remote work
- In-person / regional