Practice Areas
Agribusiness
Business Litigation
Environmental
Sustainability and Climate Change
Professional Experience
Patrick is an environmental litigator and transactional attorney with 14 years of experience. He focuses his practice on matters involving contaminated properties and water quality issues.
He began his career with the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality, where he oversaw water quality enforcement efforts and drafted large-scale revisions to Arizona regulations governing aquifer protection and the use of reclaimed water.
Patrick has represented an array of clients in environmental matters, ranging from an international paper products company in obtaining a favorable settlement of a claim for contribution brought under federal Superfund law, a Fortune 500 company's purchasing of a large brownfield property near Portland, Oregon, to individuals pursuing or defending claims related to contamination on commercial or residential properties. He has done substantial products liability and toxic tort defense work, including the defense of claims arising from alleged exposure to asbestos, silica and formaldehyde.
Patrick is also actively involved with the renewable energy and sustainability industry. For example, he represented the developer of the first biomass-fired power plant in Arizona, assisting with creation of the company, analysis of the requisite environmental permits and negotiation of financing terms and the sale of "green credits" to Arizona's leading utility company.
His practice includes transactions and litigation in the following areas:
• Water quality permitting
Clean water act
NPDES and 404 permits
Oregon WPCF permits
• Brownfield/contaminated properties
Regularly serves as counsel to purchasers and sellers of contaminated properties regarding environmental liabilities under federal and state law.
• Sustainability/climate change
Provides counsel regarding the development of renewable energy projects, and compliance with related state and federal regulations.
Professional Organizations
Arizona State Bar
Northwest Environmental Business Council (NEBC)
Oregon State Bar
Environmental & Natural Resources Section
Litigation Section
Washington State Bar
Environmental and Land Use Section
Professional Activities
Oregon State Bar, Environmental and Natural Resources Section, Executive Committee, Secretary 2012
Oregon State Bar, Executive Committee Environmental & Natural Resources Section, 2010 - Present
Oregon State Bar, Environmental and Natural Resources Section E-Outlook Editor, 2009 - 2011
Education
B.A., Journalism, University of Wisconsin
J.D., Arizona State University
Civic Organizations
Board of Directors, Friends of Tryon Creek State Park
Oregon Business Association Environment & Economic Development Committee
Lake Oswego Sustainability Advisory Board (2009)
Admitted to Practice
Arizona State Bar
Arizona State Court of Appeals
Arizona State Supreme Court
U.S. District Court, Arizona
Oregon State Bar
Oregon State Court of Appeals
U.S. District Court, Oregon
Washington State Bar
Articles
Past Speaking Engagements
Greenhouse Gas Reporting Rules Update (January 2009)
Oregon Brownfields Conference: Northwest Environmental Business Council (April 2010)
Oil and Hazardous Waste and analysis of CERCLA case law developments: Oregon State Bar Environmental & Natural Resources Section Annual CLE (October 2010, October 2011)
Inland Northwest Brownfields Conference - Liabilities Associated with Contaminated Properties (Spokane, May 2011)
Moderator - panel discussion re: Alternative On-Site Energy Sources, NEBC Business & The Environment Conference (Portland, OR November 2011)
Speaker - panel discussion re: Determining the Financial Liability of a Contaminated Property, NEBC Business & The Environment Conference (Portland, OR November 2011)
