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From an interview conducted at Cotter Law Office in Mendota Heights, Minnesota, June 2008:

In describing a recent case, Twin Cities trial attorney Patrick Cotter mentioned that two different medical malpractice lawyers turned the family of the victim away before they came to Patrick:

The victim was a mentally ill man who committed suicide in a psychiatric ward.  The lawyers who refused to take the case had extensive experience in similar cases, and felt it could not be won.

When asked how he successfully resolved a case considered hopeless by a series of experienced trial attorneys, Patrick answered:

The key to winning this case was spending a lot of time with the family. They had gone through some difficult times in the years preceding the tragedy, and I was able to help them pull together and present a solid front, demonstrating the full extent of their loss.

At this point, Patrick’s wife Sara spoke:

Patrick listens! He is able to piece together the real story. Over the years, I have watched Patrick and lived through his cases with him. His clients are much more than clients to him; he understands their problems and concerns as real people, and is able to inspire the judge and jury with that empathy.

He is also an extraordinary analytical problem solver. In the wrongful death-suicide case, he found the key to the case, the key the other lawyers missed, buried in hundreds of pages of detail.

When asked how he accomplished those extraordinary achievements as a solo practitioner, Patrick explained:

I am the only attorney at my Twin Cities law firm, so I personally prepare the case for trial, develop a true understanding of every aspect of the case, and am available whenever my client needs me. I do not, however, work alone – I am supported by a legal team that includes my paralegal, Shelly, and, depending on the circumstances, hand-picked medical experts, investigators, nurse specialists, interpreters and other specialists to support my client’s case. Of course, my wife Sara smoothes the way, serving as my business manager and primary supporter.

The conversation turned to Attorney Cotter’s criminal defense practice. As a trial lawyer, he has represented clients accused of child sexual abuse, rape, drug trafficking, homicide and other serious felonies, cases involving high-profile Twin Cities trials. Why would he choose to handle such unpopular cases?

Patrick thought for a minute, and then responded:

I grew up in a multi-racial family, with six adopted siblings who came from diverse backgrounds. As a result of my family relationships and other early experiences, I realized long before I went to law school what a powerful force the criminal justice system was, and how important it was that every accused person have adequate representation if justice is to be served..

These cases seem to find me, and I have discovered I have a talent for and enjoy a criminal defense practice that focuses on difficult criminal cases, the kind that rarely are settled before trial. Every lawyer has a commitment to justice – only a few are able to sustain the level of focus and energy necessary to successfully take a case from the first motions to a jury verdict.

Mr. Cotter closed with a strong recommendation to anyone accused of a crime or who has suffered a serious loss to personal injury or death:

Discuss your case with a lawyer with experience in that field before talking to anyone else – police, insurance investigators, friends or co-workers. Protect your right to the strongest possible representation.

To arrange a free consultation with Mr. Cotter, e-mail him or call his office (651.686.5347) or cell phone (651.214.8624). He handles trials in courts in throughout Minnesota from his Twin Cities offices.