Law Talk

This past week, I conducted my third and fourth research interviews. Reflecting back on them, they went a lot smoother than my first two. This is partly because I wrote a new set of tailored questions that helped me obtain more specific responses. Apart from this, my confidence also increased; I was not as timid. Not only did this make for more natural conversation, but I was also able to collect my thoughts better. 

The first attorney I met this week was on the plaintiff side. He single handedly practices at a smaller firm in Plano. He very much opposed tort reform and held similar opinions to the attorney I met with last week. One thing he told me that really stood out was that even if healthcare practices save money because insurance lowers their rates, they are going to keep that extra money, not use it to lower their prices for patients. 

The second attorney I met with also defends patients. What he told me reaffirmed my perspective on damage caps. He told me that they are a clear violation of the 7th amendment, right to trial by jury. When I questioned him on inflated insurance prices, he responded, “Where in the 7th amendment does it mention insurance companies. It doesn’t say “right to trial by jury unless it’s too expensive for insurers.” That really stuck with me. 

Overall, this week was successful. I finished all of my research interviews (hopefully) and can begin with the mentor selection process.