Pat concentrates his practice in the areas of construction law, construction litigation, public contract law and surety law. He has extensive experience representing general and prime contractors, subcontractors and suppliers, owners and sureties on a variety of legal matters on both public and private construction projects. Pat assists his clients from project commencement on bidding and contract drafting and negotiations, through project management and field performance issues such as change orders, differing site conditions, construction defects, delays and payment claims, and ultimately through project conclusion and claim resolution. Through his years in representing clients in the construction industry, Pat has gained a unique and practical perspective on protecting his clients through front-end job risk management while guiding them through complex construction disputes.
Pat is a frequent author and lecturer on construction law topics for construction trade associations and professional business organizations. He has been recognized as an Indiana Super Lawyer Rising Star in the area of Construction Litigation from 2009 to 2016, and as an Indiana Super Lawyer in the area of Construction Litigation for 2020 to 2023.
Areas of Service
Construction Law
Construction Litigation
Public Contract Law
Surety Law
Education
Indiana University, Robert H. McKinney School of Law, J.D.
Purdue University, B.A., Dean’s Scholar
Admissions
Indiana Supreme Court
U.S. District Court Northern District of Indiana
U.S. District Court Southern District of Indiana
Associations
American Bar Association
• Forum on Construction Law (Member of Division 9 Specialty Trade Contractors and Suppliers)
• Public Contract Law Section
• TIPS, Fidelity and Surety Law Committee
• Litigation Section, Construction Litigation Committee
Indiana State Bar Association
• Construction and Surety Law Section
• Litigation Section
Indiana Subcontractors Association
• Education Committee – Chairman
Indiana Constructors Inc.
Civic & Community Involvement
Booth Tarkington Civic Theatre
• Board of Directors
Immaculate Heart of Mary
• Athletic Commission
• Prior Service on School Commission
Author & Lecturer, “Two for Tuesday Legal Series”, Construction Advancement Foundation, 2012
Author & Lecturer, “Using A Mechanic’s Lien to get Your Money”, National Business Institute, 2011
Author & Lecturer, “Construction Lien Law”, Lorman Education Services, 2011
Author & Lecturer, “The Construction Contract – Protections and Pitfalls” Construction Advancement Foundation (CAF), 2010
Author & Lecturer, “Construction Claims and Contracts,” CAF, 2009
Author & Lecturer, “The New AIA 2007 Documents,” Indiana CPA Society and Central Indiana Chapter of CFMA, 2008
Author & Lecturer, “Top Ten legal Mistakes Contractors Make”, Indiana Construction Association (ICA), 2010
Author & Lecturer, “How to Get Paid in Tough Times,” Indiana Construction Association, 2008
Author & Lecturer, “The New 2007 AIA Documents,” CAF, 2008
Author & Lecturer, “Subcontract Agreements”, ICA Construction Advancement Institute, 2007
Author & Lecturer, “The Risk of Contractual Indemnification: A Panel Discussion on Negotiating Indemnifications Provisions,” ICA Construction Institute, 2006
Author & Lecturer, “A Practical Guide to Construction Liens”, National Business Institute, 2010, 2012
Author & Lecturer, “Understanding the New Generation of AIA Standard Contract Forms,” Lorman Education Services (Lorman), 2009
Author & Lecturer, “The Fundamentals of Construction Contracts”, Lorman, 2008
Author & Lecturer, “Managing Construction Projects in Indiana”, Lorman, 2006, 2007 and 2008
Author & Lecturer, “What To Do When Construction Projects Go Bad in Indiana”, Lorman, 2006
Author & Lecturer, “Indiana Mechanic’s Lien Law”, Lorman, 2005 and 2008
Author & Lecturer, “AIA Contracts in Indiana”, Lorman, 2005, 2008
Author & Lecturer, “Creative Strategies for Project Completion and Litigation Avoidance (Design, Specifications, Contractor Defects and Defaults, Payment Claims)”, Lorman, 2003-2004
Author & Lecturer, “Mechanic’s Liens and Claims Against Bonded Construction Projects:, Indiana Continuing Legal Education Forum, (ICLEF), 2010
Author & Lecturer, “Payment Claims and Remedies”, ICLEF, 2004
Contributing Author & Lecturer, “Construction Claims (Defective Specifications, Payment Claims)”, Lorman, 2002, 2003