Pat's Bio
Pat is a seasoned trial lawyer with more than 30 years of experience representing businesses and business owners in complex commercial litigation matters across the country. A significant portion of his practice focuses on resolving high-stakes, complex disputes between shareholders, partners, and closely held business owners. When business relationships break down, Pat represents majority and minority owners in litigation involving breach of fiduciary duty, shareholder oppression, ownership disputes, buyout conflicts, and other claims that arise when business partners or shareholders find themselves on opposite sides of the courtroom.
Over the course of his career, Pat has represented virtually every type of client, from Fortune 50 companies and large privately held corporations to closely held businesses, family-owned companies, entrepreneurs, and individual shareholders. His cases span a wide range of commercial disputes, including shareholder and ownership litigation, contract disputes, non-competition agreements, trade secret and intellectual property claims, fraud, breach of fiduciary duty, and other conflicts. He is licensed to practice in the state courts of Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Massachusetts, and he has first-chaired cases in the United States District Courts in Minnesota, Wisconsin, Massachusetts, Iowa, Colorado, Michigan, North Carolina, Washington, Delaware, and New York, among others. Pat has also briefed and/or argued numerous cases before the Minnesota Court of Appeals, the Minnesota Supreme Court, the Iowa Supreme Court, the North Carolina Court of Appeals, and the United States Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit.
Pat is a trusted and well-respected litigator and advisor. His approach, regardless of the size or complexity of the case, is to provide focused, strategic, and aggressive representation aimed at achieving the client’s goals as efficiently and cost-effectively as possible. Clients trust Pat to guide them through sensitive disputes involving the control, ownership, and future of their businesses, whether through negotiated resolutions, buyouts, or trial. With Pat, the client always comes first. Pat has been named a Top Lawyer in Minnesota in the area of business litigation and has been selected by his peers as a Minnesota Super Lawyers every year since 2001, a distinction awarded to less than five percent of lawyers in the state. He has also been recognized for Commercial Litigation in The Best Lawyers in America and holds an AV Preeminent rating from Martindale-Hubbell, the organization’s highest peer-review rating for legal ability, professional excellence, and ethical standards.
In addition to his litigation practice, Pat served for many years on the board of The Fund for the Legal Aid Society, an organization dedicated to raising funds to support the work of Legal Aid Society of Minneapolis.
University of Vermont (BA cum laude 1982)
Duke University (MA Economics 1986)
Duke University School of Law (JD 1986)
State of Massachusetts (1986)
State of Minnesota (1989)
State of Wisconsin (1994)
US District Court, District of Massachusetts (1987)
US District Court, District of Minnesota (1989)
US District Court, District of Colorado (2008)
US District Court, Eastern District of Wisconsin (2014)
US District Court, Eastern District of Michigan (2014)
US District Court, Western District of Wisconsin (2015)
US District Court, Western District of Michigan (2017)
US Court of Appeals, 1st Circuit (1987)
US Court of Appeals, 2nd Circuit (2019)
US Court of Appeals, 10th Circuit (2015)
US Court of Appeals, 8th Circuit (2016)
- Are AI Generated Documents Privileged? No, According to a Recent Court Ruling. FMJ Newsroom, March 2026
- Jury Trials in Minnesota Civil Cases: When an “Advisory” Jury Verdict may Actually be Binding, FMJ Newsroom, June 2025
- In Re The Jorgenson Family Trust – the Clarified Standard for Awarding Attorneys’ Fees in Trust Litigation, FMJ Newsroom, August 2024
- Minnesota Recognizes Claim for Negligent Selection of Independent Contractor, FMJ Newsroom, July 2024
- In Re Bremer: What Really Constitutes a “Serious Breach of Trust?” FMJ Newsroom, March 2024
- The Minnesota Supreme Court Formally Adopts the Common-Interest Doctrine, Which Protects Against Waiver of the Attorney-Client Privilege and Work Product Doctrine, FMJ Newsroom, October 2022
- Freeze-Out Mergers and The New Minnesota LLC Act, Bench & Bar of Minnesota, December 2017
- Joint Representation in Litigation Involving Closely Held Companies, Minnesota Lawyer, April 2013
- Pros and Cons of SLCs, Law360.com, May 2012
- Take These Steps Before Adding New Shareholders, Upsize Minnesota, February 2005
- VH-Minneapolis South, Inc. v. TGI Friday’s. Inc., et al., 27-CV-20-12600 (Hennepin County District Court, May 14, 2024); A24-1820 (Unpublished Opinion), Minnesota Court of Appeals (8/11/25); lead trial counsel in a three-day bench trial involving breach of contract, unjust enrichment and declaratory judgment claims arising out of the defendants non-payment of expenses associated with a common-area easement, resulting in a six-figure money judgment in favor of client, as well as an award of attorney’s fees and costs. Successfully argued appeal in Minnesota Court of Appeals.
- Lucky 7, Inc. v. Thurmer et al., No. 30-CV-23-306 (Minn. 10th Dist. Ct., Feb. 24, 2025); represented client in a seven-day jury trial involving breach of contract, fraud, and conversion claims and resulting in a verdict and judgment in favor of the client in amount of $1,278,435, plus costs, reasonable attorneys’ fees, and prejudgment interest.
- RG Golf Warehouse, Inc. v. The Golf Warehouse, LLC, —F. Supp. 3d —, LEXIS 158758 (D. Minn. Sept. 2, 2022); obtained summary judgment dismissal of all claims in a multi-million dollar contract claim arising out of a terminated referral agreement.
- Karon v. Elliott Aviation, 937 N.W.2d 334 (Iowa 2020), Iowa Supreme Court (1/10/20); affirming the District Court’s dismissal of a potential multi-million dollar claim against client, and establishing new Iowa law that forum selection clauses in written contracts are enforceable notwithstanding generalized allegations of fraud with respect to the contract as a whole.
- Groschopf v. Northern Tool & Equipment Catalog Company, Inc., 81 F. Supp. 3d 686 (E.D. Wis. 2014); obtained summary judgment dismissal of all claims in a $19 million products liability case arising out of an exploding target product sold by defendant.
- Miller v. Elliott Aviation Aircraft Sales, Inc., 4:13-cv-161, Federal District Court, Southern District of Iowa (12/10/14); obtained a stipulation of dismissal of all claims on behalf of defendant with no monetary payment to plaintiff in a multi-million dollar claim arising out of the sale of a used $2.9 million Hawker Beechcraft Jet Aircraft.
- Local Government Property Insurance Fund v. OPS America, Inc., 13-cv-648, Wisconsin Circuit Court, Waukesha County (6/27/14); obtained a stipulation of dismissal of all claims on behalf of importer-defendant with no monetary payment to plaintiff in a substantial fire case involving an allegedly defective industrial fan.
- Ehrman v. Adam, et al., A08-2120 (Unpublished Opinion), Minnesota Court of Appeals (09/01/09); affirming District Court dismissal of plaintiff’s defamation lawsuit based on comments made by attorney during settlement discussions upheld.
- Powell v. Anderson, A05-734 (Unpublished Opinion), Minnesota Court of Appeals (01/10/06); affirming District Court’s dismissal of shareholder’s claims in closely-held business based on terms of a shareholder agreement signed by a minority shareholder.
- Bolander v. Bolander, 703 N.W.2d 529 (Minn. App. 2005); represented clients in five-day jury trial in shareholder-dispute case involving claims of breach of fiduciary duty and unfairly prejudicial conduct; successfully obtained partial reversal of jury verdict on grounds that, when president of a closely held company admits to engaging in actions not in the best interests of the company, some form of equitable relief under Minnesota Statutes is required.
- Nelson Design Group. L.L.C. v. Scoville Press. Inc., A04-1603 (Unpublished Opinion), Minnesota Court of Appeals (06/21/05); obtained summary judgment for defendant in case involving claims of breach of contract and negligence in connection with the packaging and mailing of residential and commercial building design plans for plaintiff; subsequently successfully represented defendant-client as lead trial counsel in a four-day jury trial after Court of Appeals reversed summary judgment on grounds of material issue of fact.
- Crenlo, Inc. v. Austin-Romtech, A03-851 (Unpublished Opinion), Minnesota Court of Appeals (05/04/04); summary judgment in breach of contract claim not appropriate if there are factual disputes regarding what was bargained for and received as part of the contract.
- In re Estate and Trust of Walter G. Anderson, 654 N.W.2d 682 (Minn. App. 2002); successfully represented client in three-day bench trial involving petitioner’s claim to remove trustee; successfully represented client on appeal resulting in decision affirming District Court’s decision denying petitioner’s claim.
- Raines v. Sony Corporation of America, 523 N.W.2d 495 (Minn. App. 1995); represented client in 5-day jury products liability claim concerning allegedly defective and unsafe television set; successfully obtained full reversal of jury verdict on grounds that trial court erred in submitting case to jury on theory of res ipsa loquitur when evidence would sustain other theories of causation.
- Fire Insurance Exchange v. Adamson Motors, 514 N.W.2d 807 (Minn. App. 1994); successfully represented plaintiff-client in four-day jury trial on claims negligence in connection with the repair of automobile and subsequent fire at home caused by faulty repair; successfully represented client on appeal resulting in affirming jury verdict in favor of client and establishing proper calculation of prejudgment interest; party not obligated to advise opponent prior to trial of opponent’s witnesses’ perjury conviction, and trial court did not err in not granting a continuance when witness failed to appear to testify
- Rennick v. Minnegasco, et al., C5-90-917 (Unpublished Opinion), Minnesota Court of Appeals (11/20/90); successfully obtained decision from the Court of Appeals affirming District Court decision that, absent notice of a problem, prior owner of real estate is not liable for injury to purchaser or third party caused by conditions existing at the time the purchaser took possession.
- Quebecor Printing-St. Paul, Inc., et al., v. G.P. Publications, Inc., et al., 481 S.E.2d 674 (N.C. App. 1997); successfully represented client in a five-day jury trial involving successor liability claims, resulting in jury verdict in favor of client and holding defendant liable for defunct debtor; reversed on appeal by North Carolina Court of Appeals.
- Super Lawyers (2001 to Present)
- Best Lawyers in America (Commercial Litigation, Trusts & Estates Litigation) (2024 to Present)
- Martindale Hubbell – AV Preeminent Rating
- Top Lawyers in Minnesota – Minnesota Monthly (2025 to Present)
Pat lives with his wife, Laura, in the western suburbs of Minneapolis. Pat is a season ticket-holder for the University of Minnesota Gopher football team. He also enjoys baseball, movies, reading and traveling with his family.
