Matt Patton joined the firm in 1963 and became partner in 1969. He is the firm's senior trial lawyer and focuses his practice on civil litigation and other forms of dispute resolution. He has tried cases to federal and state courts throughout the country and has utilized mediation, mini-trials and arbitration since the 1970s. Many of his cases have been high profile and media intense. He approaches each case as though it will be tried, but constantly seeks ways to resolve disputes at the earliest possible time and in the most efficient and economic way.
Mr. Patton has tried cases involving employment, administrative, tort, government contracts, elections, commercial transactions, banking, intellectual property, real property, contract, probate, insurance, utility and other areas of law. Many have been complex and some have been class actions. In some of the appellate cases, Mr. Patton has succeeded in establishing precedents.
Mr. Patton was recognized as a Georgia "Super Lawyer" in General Litigation and Intellectual Property Litigation in 2009 and for Business Litigation in 2012 and the three years immediately preceding by SuperLawyers magazine. He was recognized in The Best Lawyers in America® for Commercial Litigation in 2012 and the five years immediately preceding. In 2011, Mr. Patton received the Tradition of Excellence Award by the State Bar of Georgia. He is AV® rated by Martindale-Hubbell.
Professional & Community Activities
State Bar of Georgia, Member of Board of Governors (1974-present) and Past President of Younger Lawyers Section (1970-1971)
American Board of Trial Advocates, Georgia Chapter, President (1988-1990)
Atlanta Bar Association, Former Chair of Litigation Section (1981-1982)
Georgia Republican Party, Chairman (1979-1981)
International Trademark Association, Board of Directors, Member (1974-1976)
Republican National Committee (1979-1981)
Experience
BellSouth Corp. v. Forsee, The firm served as lead counsel for BellSouth in a highly-publicized dispute involving Sprint's hiring of the second highestranking corporate officer at BellSouth. The case involved claims for breach of non-competition agreement and "inevitable misuse" of trade secrets. It also raised significant issues regarding the interplay between litigation and compulsory arbitration. We obtained an injunction prohibiting the executive's disclosure of confidential information to his new employer and limiting his involvement in certain activities where the confidential information might be used or disclosed. The executive has since left the competitor.
BellSouth Corp. v. Forsee, 265 Ga. App. 589, 595 S.E.2d 99 (2004).
*Experience gained by attorney prior to joining Kilpatrick Townsend
Publications
01 January 1996, Theories for Franchisee Relief: Ten Phases of Representing Franchisees in Disputes with Franchisors
Source: Building Franchise Relationships: A Guide to Anticipating Problems, Resolving Conflicts, and Representing Clients, Articles
01 January 1996, Trade Names, Trademarks, Copyrights and Unfair Competition
Source: Encyclopedia of Georgia Law, Articles
News
21 February 2012, Kilpatrick Townsend Once Again Achieves Top Recognition in 2012 Georgia Super Lawyers, News Releases
06 September 2011, Kilpatrick Townsend Earns Record-Breaking Recognition in Annual Best Lawyers in America 2012, News Releases
10 June 2011, Kilpatrick Townsend's Matt Patton Awarded Prestigious Tradition of Excellence Award, News Releases
02 March 2011, Kilpatrick Townsend Once Again Achieves Top Recognition in 2011 Georgia Super Lawyers, News Releases
12 August 2010, Kilpatrick Stockton Earns Record-Breaking Recognition in Annual Best Lawyers in America 2011, News Releases
04 March 2010, Kilpatrick Stockton Ranked Number One in Five 2010 Georgia Super Lawyer Categories, News Releases
04 August 2009, Kilpatrick Stockton Earns Record-Breaking Recognition in Annual Best Lawyers in America 2010, News Releases
04 March 2009, Kilpatrick Stockton Attorneys Named Top Business Litigators by 2009 Super Lawyers Corporate Counsel Edition, News Releases
02 March 2009, Kilpatrick Stockton Ranked Number One in Five Georgia Super Lawyer Categories, News Releases