Brennan Garvey is delighted to announce that partner Catherine Garvey has accepted the role of Associate General Counsel at University of Chicago Medicine (UCM) where she will be the Executive Director of the Professional Liability Program, the University’s self-insurance program. As a result, she will be leaving the firm later this year.

“This is a once in a lifetime opportunity for me,” said Garvey, who began her career as a pediatric nurse at the University of Chicago in 1984 and has represented the hospital in medical malpractice cases for the last 26 years. 

She will replace Jane McAtee, who has held the position for 33 years and is known as an advocate for UCM physicians while being a fair and pragmatic litigant. 

“I asked Cathy to consider this job because I know she has both the skills and temperament needed,” McAtee said. “She will be a strong leader for the Professional Liability Program, and I am confident that I will be passing it to a terrific successor. UCM is pleased that Cathy has accepted this position.”

Partner Mark Brennan said Garvey has been fundamentally important to the success of the firm that bears both their names, but he understands this role is a perfect fit for her.

“Cathy is the greatest partner any lawyer could ever wish for, and she has been a true friend for 25 years. We could have never launched the firm without her commitment, courage and strength,” Brennan said. “As difficult as I know this decision was for her, there is simply no one more qualified than Cathy to take on this role with the University of Chicago.”

The firm plans to keep the Brennan Garvey name for now.

Garvey said she struggled with whether to accept the University of Chicago position after launching Brennan Garvey.

“The decision to take this role has been difficult and bittersweet, as I am tremendously proud of the firm we have built – one based on the shared values of hard work, dedication, and respect,” Garvey said. “In creating Brennan Garvey, we assembled a unique and talented team of lawyers and have been successful in representing a wide range of healthcare and other clients. I am truly grateful to have been a part of the Brennan Garvey team and will always treasure the friendship of my partners, associates and staff.”

Garvey said that throughout both her nursing and legal careers, the University of Chicago has always played a prominent role. So when McAtee announced plans to retire a few years ago, Garvey was intrigued by the opportunity.

“I am honored to have been selected for this position, which will provide many new and exciting professional challenges in an environment that feels like home,” Garvey said.

Brennan Garvey has been tremendously successful since its launch last year, including:

• Doubling the number of attorneys from five to 11 in its first month, with plans to add three to five more attorneys by its first year anniversary
• Doubling its client roster in the last six months
• Expanding its work into general and commercial litigation for both healthcare and non-healthcare clients
• Representing Chicago’s top academic and community medical centers in complex, high-exposure medical malpractice cases

Brennan Garvey opened its doors in July of 2015 as a premier healthcare and litigation law firm providing a full range of legal services to Chicago’s healthcare industry. More at brennangarvey.com