Mike Patterson
Direct: 206.462.6702
Email: map@pattersonbuchanan.com
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Founding Principal
Admitted to practice in Washington, Oregon and New York
Practice Area
Mr. Patterson is the Senior Principal and President at Patterson Buchanan. He has significant civil trial and appellate experience, having tried more than 100 cases to verdict in both federal and state courts, and having argued over two dozen cases in federal and state appellate courts. Mr. Patterson is a nationally recognized trial attorney. Very few civil litigators match his trial experience.
Mr. Patterson concentrates his practice on high stakes, high profile litigation and has represented scores of school districts; numerous cities, counties, and fire districts; various archdioceses throughout the country; and many well known private clients in high stakes litigation. He won the Mary Kay Letourneau case for the Highline School District. With his big case experience, he is frequently called upon to be the media spokesperson for clients involved in difficult situations. He has been interviewed by ABC, CBS, Dateline and NBC. Mr. Patterson is also a nationally recognized speaker for a wide variety of litigation and best practices issues.
In addition to defending clients, Mr. Patterson has served as an expert witness in numerous matters throughout the country on fiduciary duty and insurance issues.
Education
- New York University, Masters of Law, 1977
- University of Notre Dame Law School, Juris Doctorate, 1972
- Gonzaga University, Bachelor of Arts, Political Science, magna cum laude, 1969
Admissions
- Washington State Bar
- Oregon State Bar
- New York State Bar
- Connecticut State Bar, pro hac vice
- United States Supreme Court
- New York Court of Appeals
- United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit
- United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit
- United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit
- United States District Court for the Western District of Washington
- United States District Court for the Eastern District of Washington
- United States District Court for the Southern District of New York
- United States District Court for the Eastern District of New York
- United States District Court of Oregon
- Idaho Federal Court, appeared
- Kansas Federal Court, pro hac vice
- Wyoming Federal Court, pro hac vice
Professional Memberships
- AGRiP (Association of Governmental Risk Pools)
- Council on Litigation Management
- DRI - The Voice of the Defense Bar
- Education Law Association
- International Association of Defense Counsel
- International Association of Fire Chiefs
- International Municipal Lawyers Association
- King County Bar Association
- National Council of School Attorneys
- NSBA (National School Boards Association)
- PRIMA (Public Risk Management Association)
- Tacoma-Pierce County Bar Association
- Washington Council of School Attorneys
- Washington Defense Trial Lawyers Association
- Washington Fire Commissioners Association
- Washington, Oregon and New York State Bar Associations
- WPUDA (Washington Public Utility Districts Association)
Publications / Presentations / Speaking Engagements
- Lecturer and presenter at various continuing legal education (CLE) and corporate events
- He has published extensively and frequently gives presentations to national, statewide, and local audiences on a wide variety of sex abuse, litigation, employment, and public entity topics.
- Some of Mr. Patterson's recently published writings are available here, and information on some of his recent and upcoming speaking engagements is available here.
Honors and Awards
Martindale-Hubbell rates Mr. Patterson as “AV,” its highest rating. He was voted one of the Top 20 Trial Lawyers by Judges in Western Washington and is listed in The National Registry of Who’s Who. He was selected as a Super Lawyer by American Law and Politics.
- Invited member of the Notre Dame Lawyer (Law Review)
- Nominated and elected to the national registry of Who's Who
- Voted Top 20 Trial Lawyers by Judges in Western Washington
- Stewardship Award for Archdiocese of Western Washington
- Washington Law & Politics voted "Super Lawyer"
- Archdiocese of Western Washington Catholic Fund, Chairman
- Coeur d'Alene Lakeshore Homeowners Association, Board of Directors
- Crystal Mountain (Silver Skis), Board of Directors
- Gonzaga University
- Board of Trustees
- Chairman of the Committee on Trustees
- Former Chairman of the Board of Trustees
- Chairman of the Board of Control
- Chairman of the Budget Advisory Committee
- Chairman of the Governance Committee
- Chairman of the Long Range Planning Committee
- Member of the Executive Counsel
- President of the Spokane Club
- Junior Advisor to the Freshman Class
- Resident Hall Council Representative
- Chancellor of the Exchequer/Knights
- Legatus Seattle Chapter, President and Founder
- Legatus International Board of Directors
- Magis Institute, Board of Directors and Executive Committee
- Notre Dame, Member of Admission Committee 1975-1977
- Serra Club, Member and past President
- The Spitzer Center, Board of Directors
- Washington Defense Trial Lawyers Association Newspaper; Co-Editor, 1984/1985 and former Trustee
Representative Cases
Jury Trials:
- Fualaau v. Highline School District - Mary Kay Letourneau had sexual relations with her 12 year old sixth grade student, Vili Fualaau, resulting in two children. Fualaau sued the school district. Prevailed for the school district.
- King v. Kalama School District - Teacher union president claimed discrimination and retaliation against the superintendent. Prevailed.
- Johnson v. Catholic Community Services
- Biteman v. Archdiocese of Seattle
- Moore v. King County Fire District
- Barbee v. Jefferson County
- Carlson v. Pierce County Fire District
- French v. Whatcom County
- Howard v. Catholic Community Services
- Kintle v. Catholic Community Services
- Jones v. Port Angeles School District
- Patterson v. City of Bremerton
- J.D. v. Bellingham School District
- Johnson v. Hamm – Won $2.6 million verdict for the plaintiff as the plaintiff’s attorney.
- Davis v. Tacoma School District
- M.R.B. v. Puyallup School District - Won defense verdict in high-profile student press case.