Patrick Garner is a litigator and trial attorney, specializing in employment law, construction and commercial litigation representing both Plaintiffs and Defendants.
Patrick has represented contractors, subcontractors, owners, employers and employees in a wide range of federal and state litigation, including claims based upon construction and design defects, age, race, sex, disability, national origin discrimination and wrongful discharge as well as commercial transactions. Patrick acts as comprehensive legal counsel for a variety of large and small businesses and advises employers on how to resolve, mitigate and avoid issues, problems and disputes before litigation becomes necessary. Despite his outstanding experience as a litigator, Patrick prides himself on protecting the client's interests while keeping clients out of the courtroom whenever possible.
Patrick has served as a faculty member and speaker at seminars regarding residential construction issues and workplace safety, as well as water intrusion and mold-related claims. He is also a guest lecturer on Construction Law and Employment Law & Ethics at the University of Houston
REPRESENTATIVE EXPERIENCE
- Represented a construction company in multiple lawsuits connected with a $150 million development. Lawsuits included geotechnical and structural issues as well as MEP design defects.
- Represented a hotel on structural and geotechnical design and defect matter.
- Obtained a multi-million dollar judgement against an electrical supplier & distributor involving an FTA generator sold to the US Army to be used in Iraq.
- Arbitrated design and construction defect claims against and HVAC designer/contractor and a framing contractor on a multi-million dollar residence.
- Obtained a no-liability finding after defending a mobile home transport company against a serious, multi-plaintiff highway accident personal injury matter.
- Represented an individual crane operator against a major contractor on a breach of an employment contract.
- Resolved a gender discrimination claim against a multi-national employer.
- Represented a structural concrete contractor on contractual issues, workplace injury matters and the successful negotiation and mitigation of OSHA citations.
- Represented a private K-8 school against a pregnancy discrimination claim.
- Represented a catering business/restaurant in multiple discrimination, unemployment and wrongful termination claims.
- Advised and counseled medical personnel against a hospital in a matter involving wrongful suspension and misapplication of state regulations and guidelines.
- Counsel to an oil & gas services and equipment supplier on employment matters, employee handbooks, terminations, covenants not to compete and OSHA safety issues.
- Act as legal counsel for a regional telecommunications company on all employment issues including covenants not to compete, discrimination, workers compensation and unemployment claims.
- Act as legal counsel to a nationwide chemical manufacturer and distributor providing legal representation on all employment matters.
- Act as legal counsel throughout Texas for a nationally recognized foundation company. Successfully defended construction defect claims in litigation and arbitration.
- Act as legal counsel to local churches in construction contracts and personnel policies and procedures.
EDUCATION
- South Texas College of Law - J.D., 1996
- Texas Christian University - B.A., 1989
BAR ADMISSIONS
- State Bar of Texas
- United States Court of Appeals, Fifth Circuit
- United States District Court: Eastern, Northern, Southern and Western Districts of Texas
MEMBERSHIPS & AFFILIATIONS
- State Bar of Texas: Litigation, Construction and Labor & Employment Law Sections
- Houston Bar Association:Litigation, Construction and Labor & Employment Law Sections
- College of the State Bar of Texas
- Defense Research Institute
- Texas Association of Defense Counsel
- Houston Young Lawyers Association
- Texas Young Construction Lawyers Association
- Texas Young Lawyers Association
