B.J. has over twenty years of experience as a trial attorney. He has handled a broad range of civil litigation matters over the course of his career with an emphasis on health care litigation, medical malpractice litigation, and commercial/business disputes. B.J.’s work philosophy includes working heartily in all things and striving to be a faithful steward of his clients’ trust, people, resources, and time.
After graduating from Baylor University (Sic’em), B.J. attended South Texas College of Law. During his time at STCL, B.J. competed as a moot court oral advocate and brief writer for STCL’s nationally acclaimed advocacy program. B.J. graduated cum laude from STCL.
B.J. Bell and Will Whitaker have practiced law together since 2006. In 2022, B.J. and Will founded Steward, PLLC d/b/a Whitaker Bell. Together B.J. and Will share a work and life motto of taking next right steps and striving to be faithful in all things.
B.J.’s wife and kids are the joy of his life. The Bells are members of Christ Community Church and B.J.’s kids attend Trinity Classical School. With Ashley, B.J.’s wife, being a Baylor grad as well, the Bells bleed green and gold. For fun you might find B.J. running at Memorial or Terry Hershey Parks, on his bike for a ride, at Covenant Gym (the best Coach and Gym in Houston) or spending time with friends and family.
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The best thing about us are the clients that we are privileged to serve. Learn more about our work and the results secured in our primary areas of practice.Learn More
Whether representing premier health care institutions in the Texas Medical Center, leading health science universities, or providers who serve rural communities, we are passionate about healthcare and the providers who deliver it. Each matter is staffed with an in-house nurse legal consultant and prompt reviews from leading experts in the relevant fields are secured.
Such matters have included: successful litigation for a Fortune 500 company in a mixed breach of contract and products liability dispute related to oil country tubular goods (OCTG); securing injunctive relief and proceeding with subsequent litigation and appeals that saved a midstream gas pipeline in a breach of contract dispute; and successful verdict for a Fortune 500 company in commercial lease dispute that threatened the viability of its hospital.
Such matters include issues related to consent, guardianships, emergency detention orders, pandemic visitation guidance and enforcement, trespass warnings and threat prevention, law enforcement intervention, non-party subpoenas, and obtaining court orders for the provision of emergency medical treatment.
The revenue cycle assistance we provide ranges from enforcement actions against payors, coordination with state regulatory departments having jurisdiction over health insurers, and pursuing mediation and arbitration under managed care agreements or surprise billing legislation. Not only have our lawyers secured the recovery of millions of dollars, they have also been instrumental in several facilities staying in business so that they can continue serving their communities. New agreements have also been reached between payors and providers as a result of the work of our attorneys.
Such claims involve general premises liability litigation, including personal injury premises claims, malfunctioning equipment, alleged toxic exposures, negligent activity, and criminal activity on a premises.
Whether pursuing mandamus proceedings, interlocutory appeals, or petitions for review before the Texas Supreme Court, our attorneys have a track record of success at all appellate levels that has been built on excellent written submissions and oral advocacy.
