Patrick has more than 20 years of experience in complex criminal defense in both state and federal courts and has been recognized with numerous distinguished awards for his work.
Legal Employment
DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE | CIVIL RIGHTS DIVISION | SPECIAL LITIGATION SECTION
Civil Trial Attorney
Washington, DC | January 2016 – September 2025 (Deferred Resignation Eff. May 3, 2025)
Investigated law enforcement entities to determine whether a pattern or practice of unlawfulconduct existed, including examining allegations of excessive force; discriminatory enforcementactivities; unlawful stops, searches, and seizures; and prosecutorial misconduct.
Drafted investigatory findings, reports, and settlement agreements.
Enforced settlement agreements mandating procedural reforms to remedy unlawful law enforcement conduct.
Chaired the case selection advisory group, which identified cases to be opened for investigation.
Notable accomplishment: Primary attorney assigned to the investigation of the Orange County Sheriff’s Department and Orange County District Attorney’s Office, resulting in public findings that the agencies had engaged in the unlawful use of confidential informants.
FEDERAL PUBLIC DEFENDER FOR THE DISTRICT OF MARYLAND
Assistant Federal Public Defender
Baltimore, MD | January 2010 – December 2015
Provided direct representation to indigent clients charged with serious federal felonies.
Advised and partnered with colleagues litigating forensic issues by analyzing relevant discovery documents, drafting suppression motions, and assisting with expert witness preparation.
Consulted with criminal defense attorneys nationwide on forensic issues.
Planned and organized training programs for federal public defenders and members of the Maryland Criminal Justice Act panel.
Notable accomplishment: Successful jurisdictional challenge in an arson prosecution, resulting in dismissal of all charges. [Nicholas Hannigan – GLR-13-549 - 2014]
MARYLAND OFFICE OF THE PUBLIC DEFENDER
Chief Attorney, Forensics Division
Baltimore, MD | August 2003 – January 2010
·Established office-wide unit devoted to forensic litigation.
Supervised attorneys and staff in all phases of litigation, hired personnel, and managed budget for personnel, supplies, and expert fees.
Provided consultation, training, and litigation support to Maryland attorneys regarding forensic evidence.
Litigated admissibility challenges and other evidentiary issues concerning the use of forensic evidence, with a specialty in cases involving DNA evidence and those involving the death penalty; developed extensive network of consulting experts.
Notable accomplishment: Successful challenge to the admissibility of fingerprint evidence in a death penalty case, resulting in case dismissal. [Bryan Rose – K-06-0545 – 2007]
MARYLAND OFFICE OF THE PUBLIC DEFENDER
Assistant Public Defender
Annapolis, MD | January 1995 – August 2003
Provided direct representation to indigent clients in Juvenile, District, and Circuit matters.
Served as an officewide resource on the litigation of forensic and innocence issues from October 2000 - August 2003; among other responsibilities, drafted client screening instrument, created template for motions seeking court orders to release evidence for testing, and identified and retained experts and other personnel needed for DNA testing.
Litigated admissibility of DNA evidence throughout the State of Maryland.
Notable accomplishment: Successfully litigated postconviction DNA testing issues for Bernard Webster, the first person exonerated under Maryland’s postconviction DNA testing statute. [Bernard Webster – No. 82 CR 28847 - 2002]
Awards
Civil Rights Division | Assistant Attorney General’s Distinguished Service Award
Minneapolis Police Department Team | September 2023
Civil Rights Division | Special Achievement Award
Special Litigation Section | 2017, 2018 and 2020
Alan H. Murrell Award
Awarded for Obtaining Exoneration of Client Wrongfully Convicted of Rape | May 2003
Capital Litigation Award
Outstanding Work in Capital Defense | April 1999
Outstanding Assistant Public Defender
Anne Arundel County | April 1998
Education
University of Baltimore School of Law
Juris Doctorate | Cum Laude | May 1994
University of Maryland School of Social Work
September 1990 - May 1991
St. Lawrence University
Bachelor of Science, Psychology | Cum Laude | May 1988