About Patrick
Patrick Crawford built a foundation in philosophy before turning to law. He earned a B.A. in philosophy from Columbia University in 1984. He completed his J.D. at the University of Virginia School of Law in 1990 and also undertook additional study in philosophy at the University of Virginia that same year. The combination of legal training and philosophical study has shaped a careful, analytical approach to complex regulatory matters.
He began his legal career in private practice. In 1994 he worked as a tax associate at Shearman & Sterling LLP. A few years later he served as a Law and Business Fellow in 1996. Those early positions placed him at the intersection of tax practice and corporate work, where technical rules and commercial realities meet. Colleagues from that period recall an attention to detail and a willingness to take on thorny tax questions.
Crawford is licensed to practice in California. He has been active in bar work and professional groups for decades. Since 2011 he has served on the State Bar of California’s Tax Procedure and Litigation Committee, where he is a board member and acts as newsletter editor. He joined the State Bar of California in 1995 and has maintained that membership continuously. He is also a long-time member of the Los Angeles County Bar Association and holds ties to the West Hollywood Chamber of Commerce. Outside the legal sphere he is a member of the U.S. Masters Swim Team, an affiliation that speaks to an interest in organized athletics.
His practice has centered on tax procedure and litigation. That includes advising clients on audits, appeals, and disputes before tax authorities. His background in both law and business gives him a practical perspective on resolution strategies. He has handled matters for a range of clients, from individuals to businesses, and often deals with the procedural side of tax conflict—meetings with auditors, briefing appeals, and arguing positions where necessary.
Crawford approaches each matter with a methodical style. He balances statutory texts, administrative guidance, and case law when crafting arguments. Peers describe him as steady and methodical. He maintains an active role in professional committees and local organizations, and he continues to write for and edit the tax committee newsletter. He currently practices tax procedure and litigation in California, representing clients in audit, appeal, and dispute matters.
