Pat received a B.A. degree from McNeese State University and a graduate degree from Louisiana State University. He entered law school after working several years for the Lake Charles American Press as an editor and reporter covering local and state government. At Tulane Law School, Pat served as a managing editor of the Tulane Law Review and was elected to membership in the Order of the Coif. He received his J.D. degree in 1985. Pat’s practice is primarily devoted to trial work. He has served as first chair trial attorney in jury and bench trials in Louisiana state and federal courts and in arbitration proceedings. Pat has handled lawsuits involving a variety of legal areas, including oil and gas exploration and production activities and contracts, environmental claims including oilfield “legacy” lawsuits, expropriation claims, right-of-way disputes, disputes over ownership of real property, railroad crossing accidents, maritime tort claims, and refinery construction disputes. In recent years, much of Pat’s work has focused on oil and gas matters. He has represented oil and gas operators in numerous “legacy” lawsuits involving claims of environmental contamination caused by oil and gas exploration and production activities. He also has handled lawsuits involving oil and gas leases and exploration agreements, landowner royalty claims, mineral title disputes, and commercial disputes relating to offshore exploration agreements. Pat has participated in continuing legal education programs relating to oilfield cleanup claims. Reported cases in which Pat has been involved include Amoco Production Company v. Texaco, Inc., 2003-240 (La. App. 3 Cir. 1/21/03); 838 So. 2d 821 ($30 million jury award for breach of mineral lease reassignment provision); In Re: Westlake Petrochemicals Corporation Ethylene Plant, 769 So. 2d 1278 (La. App. 1st Cir. 2000) (successful defense of refinery air discharge permit attacked by environmental group); Amoco Production Company v. Texas Meridian Resources Exploration, Inc., 180 F.3d 664 (5th Cir. 1999) (cancellation of mineral lease because of breach of surface use restriction); Manuel v. Cameron Offshore Boats, Inc., 103 F.3d 31 (5th Cir. 1997) (successful defense of offshore vessel company against crewman who tripped on vessel line); Shilts v. City of DeRidder, State of Louisiana, and Ford Motor Company. (No. C-9125, Louisiana 36th Judicial District Court) (successful defense of claim alleging defective seatbelt); Lyons v. Fisher, 847 F.2d 1158 (5th Cir. 1988), appeal after remand, 888 F.2d 1071 (5th Cir. 1989) (obtained judgment recognizing existence of mineral servitude entitling clients to production from gas well).