Attorney Profile

Christopher N. Patterson
Panama City Beach, Florida


phone	(850) 588-4021 (877) 586-6352
fax	(850) 233-4779
email	Email Me

Because of the profound effect a criminal conviction can have on an individual, my passion and commitment is to provide -- to the maximum of my ability and within ethical guidelines -- the most aggressive defense possible for my clients. I will be totally prepared with the facts and the law, I will argue your case forcefully and skillfully, and I will be creative in finding solutions. I am also aware that you are an individual and not just a case file and that being charged with a criminal offense has far-reaching repercussions in your life. I will attend to you as a person and work to help you obtain the support you need at this time.

Areas of Practice:: Criminal Law; DUI/DWI; Immigration & Naturalization Law; Litigation & Appeals; Motor Vehicle Accidents -- Plaintiff; Personal Injury -- Plaintiff; Sexual Harassment; Traffic Violations; White Collar Crimes

Certification/Specialties:: Criminal Trial Specialist, Florida Bar, 1995; Criminal Trial Advocate, National Board of Trial Advocacy, 1995; Florida Supreme Court Mediator Qualifications Board

Bar Admissions:: Florida, 1985; U.S. District Court Middle District of Florida, 1985; U.S. District Court Northern District of Florida, 1992; U.S. District Court Southern District of Texas, 1995; U.S. District Court Eastern District of Virginia, 1987; U.S. Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces, 1987; U.S. Supreme Court, 1989

Education:: Nova University Center for the Study of Law, Fort Lauderdale, Florida, 1985
J.D.; Clemson University, Clemson, South Carolina, 1982
B.A.

Published Works:: "Federal Criminal Law Highlights", Florida Defender Magazine, 2002; "The End of Privacy", National D.A.R. Magazine, May, 1998; "Bay County Teen Court", The Florida Bar Journal, Oct., 1995; "Commercial Activities: Lessons Learned", The Army Lawyer, Dec., 1989; "Florida Durable Power of Attorney", Florida Health Care Association Handbook, September, 1984; "Krysha (Fiction)", PublishAmerica, Inc., 2006; "Queen's Pawn (Fiction)", Northwest Publishing, Inc., 1996; "Treasure Trove (Fiction)", Commonwealth Publishing, Inc., 1997

Representative Cases:: State of Florida v. Gilchrist (Death Penalty-Murder); State of Florida v. Turner (Death Penalty-Murder); US v. Lovett (Prison Guard Sexual Battery); US v. Chin (International Drug Smuggling); US v. Thunder Eagle Ghost Dancer (Bank Robbery with Weapons); State of Florida v. Thames (Murder); State of Florida v. Mundy (Kidnapping); State of Florida v. Moore (Capital Sexual Battery); State of Florida v. Hogarth (Manslaughter); US v. Collins (Threats Against the President); USAF v. Bormann (Computer Fraud and Pornography); US v. Crowley (Maritime Scuttling); US v. Barrett (International Drug/Foreign Extradition); USAF v. Bellanger (Computer Pornography); State v. Roberts (Sexual Battery); US v. Rogers (Medicaid Fraud); State of Florida v. Clark (Home Invasion and Sexual Battery); State of Florida v. Gates (Controlled Substances GHB/GBL); State of Florida v. Davis (Robbery with Firearm); US v. Reives (Fraud); USAF v. Bunting (Drugs); US v. Tolin (Possession / Distribution of Methamphetamine)

Classes/Seminars Taught:: Adjunct Professor of Law, Gulf Coast Community College, 1994 - 1995; Instructor, ENCORE Program, Gulf Coast Community College, 2009 - 2010

Honors and Awards:: Florida "Super Lawyer", 2006 - 2010; Who's Who in American Law; Who's Who in America; Nominee, Jefferson Public Service Award, 1999; Florida Bar President's Pro Bono Service Award, 1995; Olympic Torch Bearer Selectee, 1996; Excellence, U.S. Army Chief of Staff Award for Legal, 1989; U.S. Army AMC Legal Achievement Award, 1988; Top 100 Trial Lawyers-Florida - American Association for Justice

Professional Associations and Memberships:: Bay County Chamber of Commerce; Panama City Chamber of Commerce; Jackson County Chamber of Commerce; Holmes County Chamber of Commerce; Washington County Chamber of Commerce; National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers; Life Member; Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers; Florida Bar, Criminal Law Section; Florida Bar Association; Bay County Bar Association; Association of Federal Defense Attorneys; Florida Bar Speakers Bureaus; American College of Barristers; American Immigration Lawyers Association; Military Order of Foreign Wars; Christian Legal Society; Bay County Teen Court, Inc.; B.A.S.I.C.; Gulf Coast Triathlon Foundation; Girls Inc. (Service Organization); Widowed Persons Service; The Unlimited Path, Inc.

Past Employment Positions:: U.S. Army, Judge Advocate General's Corps (JAG), 1986 - 1991; Virginia, Special Assistant United States Attorney, 1987 - 1990

Pro Bono Activities:: St. Thomas By The Sea Episcopal Church, Chancellor; Rotary International; The American Legion; The Society of Colonial Wars; Military Officers Association of America; Washington County Teen Court; Bay County Teen Court; Fellowship of Christian Athletes; Volunteer Assistant Football Coach Bay High School; Rutherford High School Mock Trial Coach; Panhandle Writers Guild; Lecturer to Area Schools and Church Groups