About Michael J.
Michael J. Patrick built his legal foundation at Wesleyan University, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy in 1981. He moved west to study law at the University of California, Los Angeles, receiving his J.D. in 1984. Those academic years framed an interest in analysis and argument that would shape a long career in California practice.
After graduating from UCLA Law, Patrick entered private practice. He has worked at Fenwick & West LLP, a firm long associated with technology and life sciences clients. Over a career that now stretches into its fifth decade, he has maintained a steady presence in California courts and in counseling roles for business clients. His time at the firm has involved collaborating on complex matters and advising clients on legal strategy.
Colleagues describe Patrick as methodical. He approaches problems by breaking them down and testing assumptions. That temperament traces back to his undergraduate training in philosophy and his law school education. He favors clear reasoning in written work and directness in oral advocacy. Clients have turned to him for steady guidance through transactions and disputes that require attention to detail.
Patrick’s professional path has kept him tied to California law. He is admitted to practice in the state and has spent the bulk of his career serving firms and corporate clients there. He has seen the legal landscape change, especially in areas affecting business and technology, and he has adapted his practice over time to address those shifts. He participates in the internal work of his firm and in the mentoring of junior lawyers, sharing institutional knowledge from decades on practice.
As of 2026, Michael J. Patrick remains at Fenwick & West LLP and continues to practice law in California. His current work centers on advising clients and handling matters arising under state law for business and corporate matters.
