Patrick J. Lee-O'Halloran

Attorney and Partner

Patrick’s practice has been dedicated to construction law for nearly 20 years, representing clients on all sides of the construction industry. He focuses his practice on complex construction cases and arbitrations, representing contractors, subcontractors, owners, developers, sureties, design professionals, and other businesses in matters regarding both public and private construction projects, including highway/heavy, industrial, and commercial construction. Patrick also has a significant practice representing residential homeowners in construction defect and non-disclosure cases.  Patrick also regularly provides ADR Services as a mediator or arbitrator – he is a qualified neutral for the Minnesota Courts, a AAA arbitrator, and a dispute resolution neutral for the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry’s Home Warranty Dispute Resolution program.

Contact

Phone: 612-564-6966
Fax: 612-564-6976
patrick@ttlolaw.com

Connect

About

Experienced Counsel

Patrick regularly represents contractors and subcontractors seeking to avoid disputes through proactive contract reviews and frequently assists clients with the drafting and negotiation of contracts, subcontracts, and other project documents for contractors, builders, and homeowners alike. He has acted as both a counselor and advocate on matters involving government contracting and procurement compliance, contractual issues, and surety work. As a trusted business advisor, Patrick has drafted articles of incorporation and organization, teaming agreements, and joint ventures for his construction clients as well as advised them on other business and real estate matters.

Patrick has represented construction law clients before the federal, state, and bankruptcy courts located throughout the Midwest, including in Minnesota, Iowa, Wisconsin, North Dakota, and South Dakota, at both the trial and appellate levels. Patrick has tried and litigated cases involving construction defects, mechanic’s liens, performance, and payment bonds in commercial, industrial, and residential construction disputes of all sizes. Patrick regularly appears in mediations and arbitrations in those same states, and has a growing practice as a neutral mediator and arbitrator.  He is a qualified neutral on the Minnesota Courts’ roster for both mediation and arbitration.

Industry Leader

Patrick was previously the Chair of the Construction Law Section of the Minnesota State Bar Association and has served as President and a Board Member of the Minnesota Construction Association.

Legislative Advocate

Patrick has volunteered countless hours advocating at the Minnesota legislature for construction industry issues, homeowner issues, and on behalf of his local school district. Patrick has advocated for the Minnesota Subcontractors Association and others on construction industry legislative priorities since at least 2013, including passage of the duty-to-defend bill in 2023. In 2008 and 2009, Patrick was part of a coalition that successfully shepherded several homeowner statutory warranty reforms through the Minnesota legislature. Patrick also participated in the Minnesota Home Warranty task force at the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry and regularly works with the stakeholders on legislation impacting the Minnesota construction industry.

Patrick is a frequent author and lecturer on construction law, arbitration, and surety topics for local and national legal education and industry audiences alike.

patrick-badge

Bar Admissions

  • Minnesota, 1996
  • South Dakota
  • U.S. District Court District of Minnesota, 1997
  • U.S. District Court Western
  • District of Wisconsin, 2002
  • U.S. District Court District of North Dakota, 2014
  • U.S. Court of Appeals 8th Circuit, 2008
  • U.S. Bankruptcy Court Minnesota
  • U.S. Bankruptcy Court North Dakota
  • U.S. Bankruptcy Court South Dakota

Education

  • University of Minnesota, J.D., 1996
  • Carleton College, B.A. cum laude, 1990

Classes/Seminars

  • Contracts Course, Minnesota Subcontractors Association, 2020-2023
  • Common Traps Associated with Construction Defect Claims; Confusing Limitations Periods, Spoliation and More, Minnesota CLE, Litigating Construction Defect Claims Seminar, May 9, 2018
  • Problematic Contract Clauses and Subcontractor Recourses, Minnesota  Subcontractors Association, February 22, 2018
  • Construction Surety Law, National Business Institute
  • Construction Surety Law: Resolving Common Dispute, National Business Institute
  • Experts in Defective Construction, National Business Institute
  • Ethics and Dispute Resolution in Government Construction, Half Moon
  • Alternative Dispute Resolution and Construction Disputes, Minnesota Construction Association

Professional Associations and Memberships

  • Minnesota State Bar Association, Construction Law Section, Vice Chair (2018-present);
  • Governing Council Member (2013-present)
  • Minnesota Construction Association, President (2009-2010), Board Member (2006-2009)
  • Minnesota Courts, Qualified ADR-Rule 114 Neutral Arbitrator, Consensual Special Magistrate
  • Minnesota Courts, Qualified AFR-Rule 114 Neutral Mediator
  • Minnesota Home Warranty Dispute Resolution Program, Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry, Panel Member
  • Construction Claims and Documentation, Minnesota Construction Association, Member
  • Alternative Dispute Resolution and Construction Disputes, Minnesota Construction Association, Member

Published Works

  • ECI vs. Boiduc – Where Do We Go From Here? MSBA Constructions Section, Author
  • Legislative Update, Timely Topics in Residential Construction Law, Minnesota CLE, Author 
  • Understanding and Using MnDOT’s 2014 Standard Specification, Author 
  • Downstream Allocation of Risk; Indemnification, Insurance & Additional Insured Requirements, Author

Pro Bono Activities

  • Minnetonka School Board (Member 2022-Present) (Treasurer 2023-Present)
  • Minnesota Home Warranty Task Force at the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry
A REGIONAL LEADER in CONSTRUCTION and REAL ESTATE LAW

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