Focused objectives
Patrick works across the firms’ practice areas throughout the Northwest with a focus on defending complex and large loss matters. He is also frequently retained to serve as excess, monitoring, or trial counsel.
Patrick defends product manufacturers, often in matters involving complex scientific evidence. Such cases have included alleged toxic exposure to benzene, legionella, and PCBs. Other cases have included industrial equipment, heavy equipment, and safety equipment.
Patrick defends matters related to recreational activities. Such cases have involved snow sports, scuba diving, and motocross.
Patrick defends the construction industry (owners, developers, general contractors, and subcontractors) in a wide variety of matters.
Patrick defends employers in a variety of employment discrimination matters.
Patrick conducts pre-claim investigations and risk mitigation evaluations for industrial and construction clients.
Patrick represents boards of directors and businesses in commercial disputes.
Patrick defends a wide variety of professionals against claims of malpractice. Such professionals have included attorneys, accountants, and real estate brokers.
Organizational Memberships
- Oregon State Bar Association
- Washington State Bar Association
- Oregon Association of Defense Counsel
- American Bar Association
- Defense Research Institute
- Claims and Litigation Management Alliance
- Many of Patrick’s cases are employment-related and arise at various stages, including the defense of administrative complaints and suits filed in state and federal court for wrongful termination, retaliation, discrimination, and alleged civil rights violations.
- Patrick’s experience also includes products liability defense in a wide variety of contexts, especially in matters involving complex scientific evidence.
- Defense of claims alleging third party liability from serious injuries arising from industrial or construction site accidents.
- Defense of professionals before professional licensing agencies and in civil suits alleging violations of the standard of care. Professionals represented include accountants, real estate brokers, lawyers, and medical professionals.
- Patrick is one of the few attorneys in Oregon to get claims dismissed pre-trial on the ground that plaintiff’s experts did not base their opinions on reliable science. In a so-called “Daubert hearing” in Marion County Circuit Court, Patrick convinced the trial court to dismiss a claim for bodily injury allegedly caused by chemical exposure.
- Obtained a defense verdict on a $15 million construction defect claim based on an “as-is” clause in the plaintiff’s purchase and sale agreement.
- Successfully defended through administrative hearing a premium audit rate dispute involving issues of worker misclassification.
- Retained four days before trial and successfully defended to verdict commercial dispute regarding an agricultural lease.
- Defended CPA against ethics charge before state licensing agency. Agency voluntarily dismissed charges before trial.
