Around the water cooler — Q & A with Dave Glatz

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

This week we talk with Dave Glatz, a partner at Bell, Boyd & Lloyd, who has been practicing almost 10 years.

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

The variety. Every day it’s something new. The intellectual challenge is constant.

— What makes a good lawyer?

Technical knowledge is always necessary, but I think communications skills, attention to detail, and commitment to excellence are key.

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

In my area of practice - M & A and Securities - the economy is the big story.

Deal flow has slowed considerably but the middle market still has some life. The credit markets have tightened up, this has led to a decrease in financing for private equity firms on the buy side and has caused investment companies and mutual fund complexes to find alternative sources of leverage financing for their funds.