Steven E. Cole

Managing Partner, Adams Leclair LLP

Years in current role: 5 as Managing Partner, 16 as Partner

What do you enjoy most about your position?

I enjoy the challenges of problem solving in different settings and industries. We use our skills and available tools and techniques to avoid and resolve disputes, often between parties who have ongoing business relationships. While the problems are often difficult, it is rewarding to know that we as attorneys have the ability to work toward successful resolution. I like to think that my 35 years of experience, first as a Justice Department attorney and then as a commercial litigator, is of significant value to clients. I particularly enjoy strategizing how to take steps that will result in a successful resolution for the client as early in the case as possible.

What are the biggest current challenges facing litigators?

The costs associated with litigation, and the complexity of document discovery, continue to increase. While the party with the most resources has always had some advantage in litigation, it has become acute in many cases with massive e-discovery costs. Adams Leclair has responded by partnering with a very experienced and capable e-discovery consulting firm on a managed services basis, and by allocating greater resources and training to all aspects of e-discovery. Our goal is to use the firm’s increasing tools and capabilities in this area to our clients’ advantage.

What do you think the biggest change in your practice area will be over the next 3-5 years?

Artificial intelligence is just scratching the surface as a litigation tool. I expect that over the next 3-5 years we will see the refinement of AI’s use as a tool for case preparation, discovery, and brief writing. The firms that are best able to combine AI’s abilities and human input will be at a great advantage in providing effective and cost-efficient legal work.

This profile is part of The Daily Record's Power 20 Litigation list for 2023. Information used in this profile was sourced from the honoree. View the full list here.