Darren A. Patin
Over the course of his twenty four years of practicing law, Darren Patin has built a successful practice advising corporate, non-profit, and higher education employers on the legal aspects of the employment relationship. This includes advice on maintaining a diverse workforce; avoiding and mitigating complaints of discrimination, harassment, and retaliation; terminations; reductions in force; and severance agreements.
Mr. Patin also represents parties in matters of complex litigation, including service as lead counsel on five multi-million class action lawsuits, three of which involved the assertion of statutory and bad faith claims handling in the wake of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. Mr. Patin also successfully represented clients relative to the recent Chinese drywall litigation, securing the first favorable ruling in the State of Louisiana, declaring that a standard homeowner’s insurance policy did not provide coverage for Chinese drywall-related damages.
Mr. Patin has also rendered numerous coverage opinions and has provided dedicated appellate practice relative to issues both substantive and procedural in nature.
Representative Matters & Clients
Served as lead attorney in the defense of three class actions involving the assertion of statutory and bad faith damages claims relative to claims adjusting practices in the wake of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita.
Served as lead counsel in the defense of "Chinese drywall" litigation on behalf of Louisiana Citizens Property Insurance Corporation, and therein secured the initial decision under Louisiana law holding that homeowner's insurance policies do not afford coverage for "Chinese drywall" claims.
Secured a zero verdict for one of Lousiana’s largest automotive dealerships following a four day jury trial wherein the plaintiff sought damages in excess of $1,000.000.00 related to what she claimed to be sexual harassment, discrimination, and wrongful termination. Rucker v Bergeron Motors.
Secured a defense verdict serving as co-chair in the defense of an action on a promissory note after a five day jury trial, where the maker of the note was deceased. Doherty v Milam.
Secured dismissals and favorable rulings via summary judgment while serving as lead counsel in the representation of clients in hundreds of first party insurance claims emanating from the occurrence of Hurricanes Katrina, Rita, and Isaac.
As counsel for New Orleans Wedding Magazines, Inc., secured verdict after two day proceedings, wherein the trial court ruled that not only did the defendant not owe any additional wages to the plaintiff, but that the plaintiff was to reimburse the defendant certain wages previously paid to her in an amount in excess of $5,500.00. Leftwich v New Orleans Wedding Magazine.
Associated Concrete Contractors, Inc.
ABM Industries
Cross Road Centers, Inc.
Dillard University
Louisiana Citizens Property Insurance Corporation
Lighthouse Property Insurance Corporation
Chubb & Sons Insurance
Travelers Insurance Group
RSUI
Care Cycle Solutions, Inc.
New Orleans Wedding Magazine, Inc.
Educational & Institutional Insurance Administrators, Inc.
Memberships & Affiliations
Appointed by Louisiana Supreme Court to serve as Ad Hoc Judge, Municipal Court for the City of New Orleans, and Traffic Court for the City of New Orleans
Vice Chair, Lawyer Disciplinary Committee for the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana
Appointed by the Louisiana Board of Legal Specialization to the Advisory Committee that will implement an Employment Law specialization certificate, including the development of standards and an exam for the specialization certification.
Graduate, International Association of Defense Counsel Trial Academy, Boulder, Colorado
Ambassador, Our Lady of Holy Cross College, New Orleans, Louisiana
Fellow, Loyola University Institute of Politics, New Orleans, Louisiana
Board Chair, Elan Academy Charter School, New Orleans, Louisiana
Admissions
Member of Louisiana State Bar and Texas State Bar
Serves as Notary Public, for and in the State of Louisiana
Admitted to practice before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 5th Circuit; U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Louisiana; Middle District of Louisiana; Western District of Louisiana; and Southern District of Texas
Education
The George Washington University National Law Center, Washington D.C., Juris Doctorate
Fairfield University, Fairfield, Connecticut, Bachelor of Arts, Politics
CONTACT INFORMATION
3445 North Causeway Boulevard Suite 800
New Orleans, (Metairie), Louisiana 70002 USA
Telephone: (504) 836-5986
Fax: (504) 836-6565
E-mail: dpatin@hmhlp.com
