As a litigation specialist for over 40 years, Pat has continuously provided his clients with skillful and aggressive representation in North Dakota and other jurisdictions. Pat has handled product liability litigation for clients in North Dakota, South Dakota, Kansas, Montana, Wyoming, California, Oregon, Washington, Idaho, and Illinois. Pat’s engineering background meshes well with defense of product liability claims and he also practices in the area of insurance defense and commercial litigation. Recently, in light of the increased oil and gas activity resulting from the Bakken oil shale play in North Dakota, Pat has added oil and gas litigation involving mineral ownership disputes to his litigation practice.

Well respected in his field, Pat has had an AV rating with Martindale-Hubbell for over 30 years. He has been named a Great Plains Super Lawyer by Super Lawyer Publication, as well as a “Best Lawyer” by the Best Lawyers of America for 10 years. Chambers USA cited Pat for his “perfect judgment” and “seasoned character”.

Admissions

  • North Dakota, 1974
  • Nebraska, 1973
  • United States Supreme Court, 1989
  • United States Tax Court, 1979
  • United States Court of Appeals – Eighth Circuit, 1975
  • North Dakota Supreme Court and North Dakota District Courts

Education

  • Juris Doctor – Creighton University, 1972
  • Bachelor of Science – United States Air Force Academy, 1964

Professional Activities

  • State Bar Association of North Dakota – Member
  • Big Muddy Bar Association – Member
  • American Bar Association – Member
  • Sanford Health, Board of Trustees – Member, 2010 – present
  • Medcenter One Health Systems, Board of Trustees – Chairman, 1991-2010
  • North Dakota Supreme Court, Gender Fairness Implementation Committee – Member, 1997-2006
  • North Dakota Supreme Court, Pattern Jury Instruction Committee – Chairman, 1996-1997 | Member, 1991-1997
  • United States District Court, District of North Dakota, Civil Justice Reform Act Advisory Committee – Member, 1990-1997
  • North Dakota Supreme Court, Commission on Gender Fairness in the Courts – Member, 1994-1996
  • United States District Court, District of North Dakota, Federal Practice Committee – Chairman, 1989-1991 | Member, 1981-1992
  • Law Clerk to the Honorable Robert Denny, United States District Judge – District of Nebraska, 1973-1974

Recognitions

  • Super Lawyers – Personal Injury – Products, Personal Injury – General, Civil Litigation, Great Plains Super Lawyer®, 2007-2022
  • AV Preeminent Rating – Martindale-Hubbell
  • Senior Statesman, Litigation: General Commercial – Chambers USA
  • Local Litigation Star – Benchmark Litigation, 2009
  • Captain – United States Air Force, 1964-1970