Stacey L. Callaghan
Practice Focus Area: Health and Life Sciences, Innovative Care Delivery
Office: Chicago
Years at Firm: 5
What is your favorite part about practicing healthcare law at McDermott?
My favorite part about practicing healthcare law here at McDermott is the phenomenal team. There are thought leaders in every sub-specialty you can imagine, and the people I work with everyday are genuinely kind, good people. I have worked at other firms with a shorter bench; the ease with which we are able to navigate incredibly complex issues here is special. I also love that the firm and practice group encourage us to develop areas about which we are passionate. Because of this, I’ve been fortunate to become the co-chair of our Women’s Digital Health Initiative.
What is the biggest opportunity and greatest challenge facing clients in your area of focus today?
The biggest opportunity and the greatest challenge are both the fact that healthcare law is changing so rapidly, especially in the innovative care delivery space following the COVID-19 pandemic. There is more opportunity than ever before for healthcare companies and other stakeholders to be creative with their partnerships and their use of technology, but healthcare laws and regulations are still catching up to the innovation in many cases.
What advice would you give to junior lawyers looking to build their practice in your focus area?
I would advise younger lawyers interested in the innovative care delivery space to start with a deep understanding of the patchwork of state-level laws and regulations that govern healthcare companies that practice virtually or through nontraditional methods across state lines. These laws are also rapidly evolving. Young lawyers should also review our firm resources and thought leadership, such as our Of Digital Interest blog that covers key developments on a consistent basis.
What is the proudest moment of your career to date?
In the wake of the leaked Dobbs decision in 2022, as the co-chair of the Women’s Digital Health Initiative, I immediately immersed myself in the dormant state laws that would soon become effective as well as those that were subsequently passed. I spent countless hours learning and counseling clients on how to deliver care in a rapidly changing environment. While it was incredibly challenging, I do believe that we ultimately helped people get care that they needed during a very difficult time.
If you were not a lawyer, what career would you pursue?
I studied psychology in school, and up until my senior year I was deciding between law school and graduate school to become a counselor. I appreciate our mentor program and how we are encouraged to support each other through it – it feels a little like we are all counseling one another!
Read more about Stacey’s practice here.
Interested in learning more about the latest developments impacting healthcare companies and innovative care delivery? Join us at McDermott HealthEx 2025, our inaugural conference bringing together our premier healthcare and life sciences events for an unforgettable week in Nashville! Learn more and register here.
