Partner

Carmel M. Cosgrave is a founding partner of SmithAmundsen and an accomplished trial attorney. She concentrates her practice in the health care field, including defense of complex litigation. She represents health care systems, long term care operators, assisted living facilities, and medical device manufacturers in litigation and other matters. Carmel is chairperson of the Health Care Practice Group. Her practice also includes representing physicians, nurses, dentists, and other medical professionals before the Illinois Department of Professional Regulation.

Carmel was named to the Illinois Super Lawyers* list for 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, and 2010, a peer review designation published by Law & Politics magazine. She has also received an AV rating from Martindale-Hubbell for her legal ability and ethics and was named a Leading Lawyer in medical malpractice defense law by the Law Bulletin Publishing Company.

In addition to her practice, Carmel serves as Past-President of the Chicago Hospital Risk Managers Society (CHRMS).

*The selection of attorneys to the Super Lawyers list and Leading Lawyer lists does not guarantee a positive client outcome in any specific legal matter or engagement nor constitute a representation by the firm of SmithAmundsen about the caliber of legal work performed by any other attorney not selected as part of these lists.

Co-presenter, "Health Care Reform: What It Means for Employers," Lorman Education Services Seminar, Naperville, IL, July 9, 2010.

Panelist, "Trial Strategy and Jury Issues," CHRMS Annual Law Day Seminar, Chicago, IL, October 9, 2009.

Co-author, "Informed Consent: A Guide to Understanding a Patient's Right to Self Decision," SmithAmundsen Health Care Handbook, October 2009.

Speaker, “Goldmine or Minefield—The Medical Expert Deposition,” DRI Medical Liability and Health Care Law Seminar, Walt Disney World, FL, March, 2009.

Speaker, Trauma Symposium, “Trauma 2008: A Risky Business,” Westin, Lombard, IL, December 12, 2008.

Featured Attorney, "Around the Watercooler," Chicago Lawyer magazine, July 7, 2008.

Author, "Preparing Your Organization for E-discovery," H&HN's Most Wired magazine, February 2008.

Speaker, "Avoiding the Medico-Legal Pitfalls," St. Joseph Hospital, October 26, 2007.

Speaker, "90 Days Before Trial: the Final Countdown, " Chicago Bar Association, October 24, 2007.

Speaker, "The Law and the Emergency Room: What They Didn’t Teach You in Medical School," Advocate Christ Hospital, June 2007.

Speaker, "Informed Consent: A Guide to Understanding a Patient’s Right of Self Determination," MacNeal Hospital, January 23, 2007.

Panelist, ENA Grand Rounds and Q&A - Mental Health Treatment Preference Declaration Act, December 2006.

Speaker/Panelist, "Ninety Days Prior to Trial: The Final Countdown, Overview of the Case," CBA, September 27, 2006.

Speaker, to all Advocate business entities regarding documentation in medical legal cases, 2005-2006.

Co-speaker, "Depositions in the Medical Malpractice Lawsuit," a presentation for Advocate Lutheran General Nurses, June 24, 2005.

Speaker, "Documentation: The Importance of Writing Right," Web Cast for Clarity, April 2005.

Speaker, "The Legal Ramifications of Medical Errors in the Health Care Arena in Illinois," Lorman Education Seminar, June 2003.

Speaker on legal issues for dentists, TDIC, CNA, 2000, 2001.

Speaker, "The Continuing Evolution of Managed Care Liability," Excess/Surplus Lines Seminar, May 2000.

Co-author, "Risk Management for the Physician Executive," Physician’s Managers and the Law, a publication for the American College of Physician Executives, 1996.