Defending Catastrophic Loss Cases in Products, Trucking, Explosions, Fires

Patrick chairs the Catastrophic Loss & Tort Defense Practice Group and brings strategic trial leadership and experience to high-stakes disputes. A seasoned trial lawyer, Patrick has tried over 40 jury trials to verdict in state and federal courts.  He represents businesses, individuals, and insurance carriers, including excess carriers.

Patrick regularly litigates high-risk catastrophic loss cases involving death, serious injury, or significant property damage in the context of products liability, premises liability, trucking and transportation, construction defects, toxic torts, and explosion and fire loss claims. 

Patrick also handles the disputes that shape day-to-day operations. He litigates contract claims, wrongful termination and employment discrimination matters, defamation actions, inverse condemnation, and insurance coverage issues.  Fortune 500 clients rely on him for clear strategy, disciplined preparation, and practical results. His practice extends beyond the mainland, with an active tort defense practice in the U.S. Virgin Islands.

Notable Work & Achievements

Products liability

Represents Fortune 500 manufacturers and distributors in suits involving construction, logging, and mining equipment; aircraft components; pressure vessels and boilers; wind turbines; engines; security and fire suppression systems; inflatable amusements and Ferris wheels; electric scooters; whirlpools; power washers; and wheelchairs.

Trucking and transportation

Defends national and regional carriers and waste disposal companies in catastrophic injury and wrongful death cases, including traumatic brain injury claims.  Manages rapid-response efforts and preservation of evidence, and positions cases for favorable resolution or trial.

Construction and property loss

Represents major construction companies in defect and accident litigation involving substantial property damage and bodily injury.

Toxic tortsDefends claims alleging exposure to asbestos, talc, mold, adhesives, lead, and fogging products. Develops medical and industrial-hygiene defenses tailored to product, dose, and causation.

Premises liability, U.S. and abroad

Represents hotels, international resorts, restaurants, marinas, landfills, and other businesses in premises cases arising in the United States, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and internationally, including matters in Italy, Aruba, Turkey, and Jordan.

Telecommunications, contracts, and inverse condemnation

Defends a major telecommunications company in contract disputes, personal-injury suits, and inverse condemnation claims, integrating regulatory context with tort and property principles.

Insurance coverage

Advises and represents insurers in the defense and prosecution of coverage disputes, including duty-to-defend, reservation-of-rights, and allocation issues.

Multidistrict and complex litigation

Represents a medicine manufacturer in MDL proceedings involving product-defect claims.

Rail and aviationRepresents a national railroad in local FELA and crossing matters. Defends a national airline and a national aviation company in actions filed in Virginia and Washington, D.C.

Employment litigation

Represents employers in wrongful termination, discrimination, and related employment disputes, aligning litigation strategy with business objectives and insurance considerations.