As the son of a surgeon and a lawyer representing personal injury victims for over 25 years, I have witnessed first hand both sides of the delicate relationship between the two older (not oldest) professions. I have seen the spectrum of issues emanating from discovery rules, expert requirements, statutory fee structures, and damage caps enacted and struck down. Legal issues impact physicians and lawyers and these are two groups that need to work together amicably. Recent developments in Illinois law are again testing this relationship.