Around the water cooler — Q & A with Carmel Cosgrave

Each week we will pose these three questions to different lawyers in the legal community.

This week we talk with Carmel M. Cosgrave, partner and chair of the healthcare practice group at SmithAmundsen. The group handles a variety of litigation matters and non-litigation for the healthcare industry.  She also handles complex cases outside of the healthcare arena. She has been practicing for more than 27 years.

– What do you find the most interesting about your practice?

What I love about my practice is that it is constantly changing and evolving.  I enjoy learning new things, whether it is about the law, an industry, technology, or an organization. I have been fortunate to be able to handle a wide variety of work in my years of practice. My job has never been boring.

– What makes a good lawyer?

I think there are many traits that make for a good lawyer. As a litigator, I think one of the most important traits is inquisitiveness. A good litigator is constantly asking questions and trying to determine what the best outcome should be for her client.

– What is the biggest legal news right now, and what is its impact?

The biggest legal news is e-discovery, and the effect that the changes in the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure are having on litigation. The ramifications are being felt not just in federal court, but state court as well.  I feel that the high cost of discovery, and particularly electronic discovery, has caused a decrease in the volume of cases being filed. The stakes have to be pretty high to justify the expense of electronic discovery.  While this has many positive effects for society, such as fewer frivolous lawsuits, it may ultimately put the court system out of reach for many litigants.