Patrick O‘Neill

Background

Patrick focuses his practice on the area of construction law, concentrating on the representation of commercial and residential developers, general contractors, subcontractors and material suppliers.  He represents the firm’s clients in all construction and general litigation matters, including trials, appeals, arbitrations, mediations and all forms of alternative dispute resolution.  He also advises clients on contract negotiations, delay claims, change orders, design defect claims, mechanic’s liens, bid preparation and submission, surety, bond and differing site condition matters.

Prior to becoming an attorney, Patrick was a commercial carpenter and project supervisor on both union and open shop projects in Southwestern Ohio.

Patrick received his Bachelor of Arts (History) from Ohio University and Juris Doctorate from the University Of Dayton School Of Law.

Patrick currently serves as Member of the Board of Directors of Southwestern Ohio & Northern Kentucky Meals on Wheels.   He and his wife Andrea live in Mt. Lookout.

Representative Matters

Patrick has extensive first-chair trial and arbitration experience, including:

• Representing a consortium of 15 subcontractors regarding the Kenwood Towne Place litigation which was, and remains, the largest construction case ever litigated in Hamilton County, Ohio.  Patrick successfully recovered more than 15MM for his clients in a lawsuit that had over 40 parties, some represented by the largest law firms in the country.
• Obtained 2MM verdict for local HVAC subcontractor on contract/fraudulent inducement claim.
• Represented a local plumbing/HVAC subcontractor before the American Arbitration Association and obtaining a decision awarding the client in excess of 1MM on a local casino project.
• Represented a local developer in litigation with the City of Cincinnati resulting in the client being permitted to commercially develop downtown real estate which the City refused to award the right to develop.
• Represented, on a continuing basis, one of the largest residential homebuilders in the country on all construction disputes with subcontractors and end purchasers.
• Manages litigation for a large multi-national transportation company.
• Has negotiated multi-million dollar settlements for clients in both contract and tort claims.
• Lead counsel in over 100 jury and bench trials, arbitrations and mediations.
• Successfully appellate experience at both the state and federal levels.
• Transactional experience reviewing and advising clients on contracts, employment agreements, management/labor contracts, union contracts, etc.
• Also represents homeowners on disclosure, fraud and consumer sales practice litigation on private residential improvements, construction and sales.

Publications

Patrick has published numerous legal articles and publications concerning the application of construction law theories and principals including “Conceptual Changes to 1997 AIA Documents A201, A401 and Its Effect Upon Lien Rights Under Ohio Law”, American Subcontractors Association, Central Ohio Chapter, 1998; “Lien and Bond Claims in the 50 States”, American Subcontractor’s Association, Central Ohio Chapter, 1999; Eighth Annual Midwest/Midsouth Construction Law Institute; “Shifting of Risk in Construction Claims”, Continuing Legal Education, University of Kentucky College of Law, 2000; Advanced Construction Law in Ohio; National Business Institute, 2001; “Construction Payment Remedies In Ohio”, National Business Institute, 2004; “Resolving Problems and Disputes on Construction Projects”, National Business Institute, 2006; “Rules and Procedures for Federal Court Success”, National Business Institute, 2008; “Alternative Dispute Resolution Processes”, National Association of the Remodeling Industry, 2008; “Pay if Paid v. Pay When Paid Clauses”, American Subcontractor’s Association, 2017.