After more than a decade of experience in public service, including several years as an Assistant U.S. Attorney spent prosecuting organized crime and public corruption, and time on a congressional staff in Washington, D.C., Pat now concentrates his practice in the areas of government compliance, investigation and litigation. He has designed and conducted internal investigations for clients ranging from corporations to directors and officers to elected officials when they come under scrutiny by the Securities and Exchange Commission, Federal Bureau of Investigation, or other regulatory/enforcement agencies. Pat has counseled clients on compliance and federal and state investigation response and has negotiated resolution of criminal and civil matters across the country. He also represents the litigation interests of public entities in large-scale public projects, including the half-billion-dollar renovation of the Truman Sports Complex in Jackson County, Mo.
Pat has participated in and conducted more than 40 trials and has successfully argued several cases before the U.S. Court of Appeals, Eighth Circuit.
As Assistant U.S. Attorney, he prosecuted cases involving racketeering, money laundering, court fraud and violent crime. Pat secured convictions in public corruption cases involving bribery of Kansas City Council members and the chair of the Jackson County, Mo., Legislature.
Early in his career, Pat was appointed by the Jackson County, Mo., Circuit Court as a Special Prosecuting Attorney and also was appointed to the Jackson County Ethics Task Force to draft a charter ethics code for the county. He also served as field director for the Clinton-Gore presidential campaign in Missouri and served as the legislative director for U.S. Rep. Pat Danner.
Awards & Recognitions
· Benchmark Litigation, Future Star, 2010
· The Best Lawyers in America, Commercial Litigation, Criminal Defense; Non-White-Collar, Criminal Defense; White Collar, 2007-2012
· Chambers USA, Litigation: White Collar Crime & Government Investigations (Missouri), 2010-2011
· Ingram's magazine, "40 Under 40"
· Kansas City Bar Foundation, Certificate of Excellence, Voice of Justice Program
· Kansas City Business Journal, Best of the Bar, 2008
· Missouri & Kansas Super Lawyers, Criminal Defense: White Collar Law, 2007-2008, 2010-2011
Civic Involvement
· Kansas City Board of Police Commissioners; President, 2010-present
· Bistate Cultural Compact Commission, appointment by former Missouri Gov. Bob Holden
· Carondelet Health, Board of Directors, 2006-2009
· Jackson County Ethics Task Force
· Kansas Citians for Kansas City, Co-founder
· Operation Breakthrough, St. Vincent's Family Services Center; President, 2002-2005; Board of Directors, 1998-2007
Experience
· Lead defense counsel for former Westar Energy executive, charged with complex scheme to defraud the utility; secured complete dismissal of all charges
· Represented executive producer and star of PBS television series in enforcement action for alleged misuse of state film tax credits
· Conducted internal investigation of national financial services client in connection with criminal tax investigation by Tax Division of the Department of Justice; investigation closed without charges or penalties
· Represented lead defendant in large-scale criminal mortgage fraud case brought by the Department of Justice
· Represented clients in Lacey Act enforcement actions brought by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service in the District of Alaska
· Secured a re-count and reversal of result for elected official in an election challenge lawsuit seeking re-count due to improper counting procedures and fraud
· Represented Australian national in connection with multinational investment fraud investigation conducted by Department of Justice; no charges filed
News & Publications
News
4.27.12, Associated Press: Husch Blackwell Wins Case Against U.S. Government; Saint Louis Art Museum Keeps Egyptian Mummy Mask
10.19.11, Super Lawyers 2011 Names 71 Husch Blackwell Attorneys from Missouri and Nebraska; an Additional 15 Listed as Rising Stars
9.26.11, Kansas City Business Journal Names 10 Husch Blackwell Attorneys to 2011 Best of the Bar
9.6.11, More Than 100 Husch Blackwell Attorneys Named to Best Lawyers 2012
6.13.11, Husch Blackwell Receives High Rankings, Praise from Clients in Chambers USA 2011
10.13.10, Missouri & Kansas Super Lawyers 2010 Names 64 Husch Blackwell Attorneys; An Additional 20 Listed as Rising Stars
9.2.10, Husch Blackwell Secures Dismissal of Corporate Fraud Charges Against Client
10.22.09, Missouri & Kansas Super Lawyers 2009 Names 73 Husch Blackwell Sanders Attorneys
10.1.09, Benchmark Litigation Recognizes Husch Blackwell Sanders as a Highly Recommended Firm
9.24.08, Husch Blackwell Sanders Attorneys Named Best of the Bar by Kansas City Business Journal
Publications
9.21.10, In-House Counsel Lose Protection of the Attorney-Client Privilege When Talking to Personnel in Europe
8.17.10, New Law Expands Authority of Missouri Ethics Commission and Restricts Fundraising for Political Action Committees
2.9.10, Corporations and Unions Have the Right to Speak In Federal Elections
2.3.09, Enforcement Priorities of the Obama Administration
Events
2.24.09, Law Enforcement & Compliance Seminar
Chattanooga, TN
Seminar
1.1.99, Investigation Techniques and Prosecution of Organized Crime and Public Corruption, Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan Seminar
Speaking Engagement
1.1.97, Investigation and Prosecution of Asian Organized Crime, Missouri Chiefs of Police Conference
Speaking Engagement