Patrick is active in the defense of a wide variety of litigation areas including motor vehicle liability, premises liability, municipal liability, and hospitality and liquor liability. With his extensive criminal law background, Patrick also handles civil rights defense and insurance fraud cases. He has successfully handled several civil rights and municipal liability cases involving prisons, police departments, police officers and municipalities.
Patrick is a graduate of Gannon University in Erie, Pennsylvania. Following graduation, Patrick attended Ohio Northern University School of Law where he achieved his juris doctor in 1987. He then served as a law clerk for the Honorable Shad Connelly of the Court of Common Pleas for Erie County, Pennsylvania. Prior to joining Marshall Dennehey, Patrick served as an Erie County Assistant District Attorney for more than eight years. In that role, he tried over 100 criminal cases, including high-profile homicide cases, as well as precedent-setting cases.
Patrick was an adjunct professor at Gannon University where he taught an undergraduate course in Criminal Evidence. He was also a lecturer in the joint project between the Erie County Courts and the Erie City School District entitled 'Personal Responsibility and the Law.' Patrick also was a lecturer in the Erie County Bar Association's 'Stepping Out' program by which Erie County lawyers addressed high school students regarding legal issues facing them upon graduation.
Honors & awards
The Best Lawyers in America, Personal Injury Litigation - Defendants
2024-2026
Results
Appellate Reversal in the Third Circuit Obtained in Fourth Amendment Civil Rights Case
Public Entity & Civil Rights Litigation
Appellate Advocacy & Post-Trial Practice
July 20, 2023
In a unanimous precedential opinion, the Third Circuit Court of Appeals agreed with our attorneys that a law enforcement officer’s attempted arrest of the plaintiff did not constitute an unlawful seizure under the Fourth Amendment. Our client was instructed by a neighboring police department to hold a burglary suspect who was subject to a search warrant, but not an arrest warrant. After the officer tried to detain the suspect, he fled, and a fight ensued.
Dismissal of claims against a Pennsylvania city and a police officer.
Public Entity & Civil Rights Litigation
February 16, 2022
In this civil rights litigation, we obtained summary judgment and the dismissal of all claims against a Pennsylvania City and one of its police officers. The court found that the traffic stop of the plaintiff was proper and did not violate his constitutional rights. The plaintiff filed a federal civil rights action against the police officer and the City, alleging that his Fourth Amendment rights were violated because of unlawful search and seizure as well as a malicious prosecution.
Defense Sends Personal Injury Lawsuit Down Amusement Park’s Lazy River
Amusements, Sports & Recreation Liability
September 14, 2021
Our attorneys obtained summary judgment relief on behalf of an amusements park in a lawsuit for alleged personal injury sustained at the park’s lazy river attraction. The plaintiff and his family were business invitees at our client’s amusement and water park. The plaintiff alleged he sustained injury when he attempted to board an inner tube on the lazy river attraction, which was staffed by certified lifeguards.
Thought Leadership
98 Marshall Dennehey Attorneys Recognized in the 2026 Editions of The Best Lawyers in America and the Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch in America
August 20, 2025
Marshall Dennehey is proud to highlight the firm’s 98 attorneys who have been recognized in the 2026 editions of The Best Lawyers in America and the Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch in America. Less than 6% of all practicing lawyers in the U.S.
Classes/Seminars Taught
Criminal Evidence, Gannon University
Liability for Police Pursuits
Municipal Liability for Roadway Dangers
