Royer Cooper Cohen Braunfeld Enhances Healthcare Practice with the Addition of Veteran Attorney Eric L. Settle
Royer Cooper Cohen Braunfeld is proud to welcome Eric L. Settle, a highly regarded healthcare attorney with long experience in healthcare insurance, law, government, and public policy. Mr. Settle joins RCCB as Senior Counsel to expand and enhance its healthcare transactional and regulatory practice within the Corporate & Business Group, further strengthening the firm’s ability to navigate the evolving healthcare landscape. His deep industry knowledge and strong relationships will be instrumental in growing RCCB’s presence in the healthcare sector.
With four decades of experience, Mr. Settle has held senior and chief counsel roles at leading health insurance companies, including Aetna, UnitedHealthcare, and AmeriHealth Caritas, a key subsidiary of Independence Blue Cross. He also served as Deputy General Counsel to Pennsylvania Governor Tom Ridge, overseeing health and environmental affairs, and was more recently appointed by Governor Josh Shapiro as part of the administration’s Transition Advisory Committee for Health and Human Services, Healthcare Sub-Committee.
Beyond his legal career, Mr. Settle has been deeply involved in healthcare policy and advocacy, serving as a hospital trustee, leading the successful effort for the passage of Pennsylvania Act 62—which mandated insurance coverage for children with autism—and supporting disadvantaged children through his long-standing role with the Early Head Start Program at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. Mr. Settle also spent five years as a wealth management executive at Alliance Bernstein. Most recently, he was recruited by the Forward Party, a new national centrist party led by Andrew Yang and Governor Christine Todd Whitman to run for Attorney General of Pennsylvania. His campaign was well received, and he earned over 18,000 votes in all 67 counties contributing to the advancement of the party’s efforts.
“Eric’s work and connections in the healthcare industry, law, government, and public policy make him a tremendous asset to our firm and our clients,” said Neil Cooper, Executive Partner of RCCB. “Healthcare is a complex and rapidly evolving industry, and Eric’s skills and experience will allow us to further service clients across the full spectrum of transactional and regulatory matters.”
Mr. Settle’s work in healthcare law includes transactions, dispute resolution, regulatory compliance, value-based care models, and payer-provider partnerships. He played key roles in major healthcare mergers, including Aetna’s acquisition of NY Life and Prudential Health’s businesses, and played a lead role in structuring an innovative commercial health plan joint venture with Jefferson Health System on behalf of United Healthcare. His work in public affairs and consulting has positioned him as a trusted advisor to companies, investors, providers, payors, innovators, and government agencies navigating the evolving healthcare landscape.
Joining RCCB marks a return to private practice for Mr. Settle after three decades in government, corporate, and public affairs roles. Encouraged by longtime friend and RCCB Executive Partner Mr. Cooper, he was drawn to the firm’s dynamic growth, entrepreneurial culture, and commitment to providing innovative legal solutions.
“I’ve watched RCCB grow over the past decade and have been consistently impressed by the caliber of lawyers joining the firm. Many of them, like me, saw an opportunity to practice law in a better way,” said Mr. Settle. “After spending years advising businesses and policymakers, I realized I wanted to get back to practicing law and building something new. RCCB provides the perfect platform to launch a healthcare-focused practice that integrates regulatory expertise with corporate strategy.”
With Mr. Settle’s addition, RCCB strengthens its ability to guide healthcare clients through transactions, regulatory compliance, and strategic partnerships. His hands-on roles with healthcare mergers, investments, and payer-provider collaborations provides RCCB clients with a distinct advantage.
“There are significant opportunities in healthcare today—whether through mergers, private equity investments, or innovative payer-provider collaborations,” Mr. Settle noted. “Having spent my career inside large healthcare organizations, I understand how these deals come together and how to navigate the regulatory complexities that come with them.”
Beyond his professional achievements, Mr. Settle remains deeply involved in philanthropy and community service. He served as President of Main Line Reform Temple and continues his service as a trustee and investment committee chair, leading the effort to create a permanent endowment, as well as a governing board member of the Early Head Start Program at CHOP. He has also served as a Trustee at Colgate University and Bryn Mawr Rehab Hospital and Foundation and held leadership roles with the Philadelphia Bar Association and the Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia. He resides in Bryn Mawr, PA, with his wife.
