Occupation: Partner
Company: Clark Hill PLC
Born: Chicago, Illinois
Education:
LLM in Health Law, University of Houston Law Center (2008)
JD, University of Michigan Law School (1992)
BA in Government and International Relations, University of Notre Dame (1987)
BS in Civil Engineering, University of Notre Dame (1987)
Bar Admissions:
Licensed in Illinois (1992); Licensed in Texas (2003); The Supreme Court of the United States; United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit; United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit; United States Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces; U.S. District Court, Northern District of Illinois; U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Michigan; U.S. District Court, Northern District of Texas; U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Texas; U.S. District Court, Southern District of Texas; U.S. District Court, Western District of Texas
Career:
Partner, Clark Hill PLC, Houston, TX (2021-Present)
Assistant U.S. Attorney, U.S. Department of Justice (1999-2021)
Assistant State’s Attorney, Kane County State’s Attorney’s Office, St. Charles, IL (1993-1999)
Summer Associate, Thompson & Knight LLP, Dallas, TX (1991)
Summer Associate, Faegre Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP (Formerly Gardner Carton & Douglas, LLC), Chicago, IL (1991)
Summer Intern, Office of Regional Counsel, Environmental, Enforcement, US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Chicago, IL (1990)
Civic:
Volunteer, Toys for Tots, U.S. Marine Corps Reserve; Volunteer, Softball & Basketball, Fairfield Sports Association; Volunteer, Softball, Cy-Fair Girls Athletic Association; Mentor, S.T.E.P. Program, DePaul University; Speaker, Speakers Bureau, Environmental Protection Agency (EPA); Mentor, Speaker, Hispanic Alliance for Career Enhancement; Treasurer, Council for the International Lay Apostolate, University of Notre Dame
Military:
Lieutenant Colonel, U.S. Army Reserve, U.S. Army (1983-2024) Commander (CEO), Executive Officer (Chief of Staff); Chief of Plans, Chief Compliance Officer, Major Army Command
Creative Works:
Presenter, “Risky Business: Physician Relationships with Private Investors & Current Government Enforcement Trends,” TEXMED 2025, The Texas Medical Association (2025); Presenter, Mission: Protecting Against a Government Investigation or Prosecution, Anesthesiology Grand Rounds, Baylor College of Medicine (2025); Presenter, Mission: Recruit Qualified Foreign Medical Graduates, Annual Medical Leadership Board Meeting, Retina Consultants of America; Presenter, “From Military to Medicine – Jose Vela Jr., ESQ.,” “The Compliance Guy with Sean Weiss” Podcast (2024)
Awards:
Fellow, The American Bar Foundation; Member, The Texas Bar College, State Bar of Texas; Honoree, Big Money Wins, No. 4 Settlement in United States and No. 1 Settlement in Texas (Health Care False Claims Act), The National Law Journal (2015); Four-time Recipient, Army Commendation Medal, U.S. Army; Two-time Recipient, Meritorious Service Medal, U.S. Army; Recipient, National Defense Service Medal with Bronze Star, U.S. Army; Recipient, Army Engineer Regiment De Fleury Award, U.S. Army Engineer Regiment; Three-time Recipient, Service Award, U.S. Department of Justice; Recipient, Volunteer Service Award, U.S. Department of Justice
Memberships:
Member, The American College of Healthcare Executives; Member, American Bar Foundation; Member, Texas Bar College; Member, American Health Law Association; Member, Health Care Compliance Association; Member, Chicago Bar Association; Member, Hispanic National Bar Association; Member, Houston Bar Association; Member, Illinois State Bar Association; Member, State Bar of Texas; Member, Army Engineer Association; Member, Alumni Association – University of Houston; Member, Alumni Association – University of Michigan; Member, Alumni Association – University of Notre Dame; Member, Alumni Association – St. Rita of Casia High School
Family:
Son of Jose Vela Sr. and Maria Vela
Married
