Pat practices in the areas of commercial receivables, securities and corporate governance litigation, professional liability, noncompetition and nonsolitication covenants, e-commerce and Internet law, and condemnation. Pat has appeared in matters in federal and state trial and appellant courts throughout the country, including matters before U.S. Court of Appeals, Eighth, Ninth and Tenth Circuits and the Delaware Court of Chancery.
Commercial Receivables – Designed, implemented and managed solutions for clients to recover commercial receivables and resolve commercial receivables litigation. Managed nationwide dockets of commercial receivables litigation for clients. Advised clients on best practices for contracting and commercial receivables recovery. Represented clients on complex litigation matters and class action lawsuits stemming from commercial receivables recovery efforts.
Securities, Corporate Governance and Shareholder Disputes – Successfully defended numerous companies, and their officers and directors or managing members, against lawsuits alleging violations of securities laws, breach of fiduciary duty, fraud and related claims. Advised a Fortune 500 company regarding the risk of class action securities litigation from a potential merger.
Professional Liability – Successfully represented accounting firms and accountants in malpractice claims and actions by state boards of accountancy. Represented accounting firms and accountants in responding to subpoenas regarding their clients.
Noncompetition and Nonsolicitation Covenants – Obtained injunctive relief on behalf of employers and defeated efforts to obtain injunctive relief on behalf of employees in disputes alleging violations of noncompetition, nonsolicitation and confidential information agreements. Advised companies regarding best practices for restrictive covenants.
E-commerce and Internet Law – Defended clients in disputes arising from their e-commerce business. Advised clients on improvements for their electronic contracting processes, online terms and conditions, and emerging Internet law issues. Conducted seminars and trainings for clients and their counsel on e-commerce and Internet law issues.
Condemnation – Lead trial and appellant counsel in one of the first cases before the Missouri Court of Appeals to interpret significant changes to Missouri’s condemnation laws. Effectively represented condemning authorities and property owners at all stages of the condemnation process, including exceptions trials. Developed and implemented land acquisition strategies for condemning authorities that efficiently obtained the property without exercising the power of eminent domain.