Mr. Fife maintains a general practice that involves assisting business and individual clients in a broad range of litigation, land use, corporate and real estate matters.

Patrick is a seasoned commercial litigator who regularly represents large and small businesses, municipalities, financial institutions and individuals in a broad range of cases in New York State and federal courts, as well as in arbitration. He litigates complex commercial cases involving commercial contracts, technology, insurance coverage, business dissolutions and breakups, business torts and restrictive covenants. He has also litigated a variety of real estate matters involving residential and commercial sales and leases, environmental issues, boundary disputes, and adverse possession claims. Over the years, Patrick has also represented both contractors and property owners in the resolution of many complex construction disputes. Patrick has also successfully argued many appeals in both state and federal court, including the New York State Court of Appeals.

In addition to his litigation practice, Patrick also regularly represents landowners and developers before municipal boards across Long Island in connection with a broad range of zoning and land use matters, such as applications for variances, zoning changes, special permits, subdivisions, and site plan approvals. His diverse experience includes everything from representing clients on environmentally challenging land use applications on Long Island’s East End to assisting private developers with major mixed-use and retail projects in several of Long Island’s downtowns.

Patrick is also an integral part of the firm’s corporate and business law team. He uses his litigation experience to develop ways to prevent disputes through the careful drafting of business documents. His experience helps him recognize when disputes could be on the horizon, and he plans a step ahead to avoid the escalation of matters that can be prevented. As part of the corporate and business law team, Patrick routinely counsels clients on real estate transactions, the drafting of contracts and business agreements, insurance coverage matters and workplace legal issues. He has considerable experience negotiating and drafting employment, shareholder, confidentiality, non-compete and license agreements for a variety of clients, including software developers, media companies, construction contractors and professional service firms. Because of his diverse litigation and corporate law experience, many clients call upon Patrick to effectively serve as their outside general counsel and assist with all of their day-to-day legal needs.

Patrick has served as an instructor and guest lecturer for various courses at Maurice A. Deane School of Law at Hofstra University. In 20015, he was an instructor for the law school’s Foundational Lawyering Skills course, which provides second-year law students an introduction to core lawyering skills essential to effective practice in a variety of areas, including trial practice, litigation, transactional lawyering and alternative dispute resolution. Patrick has also been a guest lecturer for the law school’s Legal Interviewing, Counseling and Negotiation and Appellate Advocacy courses.

Patrick joined the firm in 2007 and became a partner in 2011. Before joining the firm, Patrick was an associate in the business litigation group of Nixon Peabody LLP. Prior to attending law school, Patrick worked for two large national insurance companies.

Patrick earned his Bachelor of Arts degree from Fordham University in 1997. In 2003, he graduated summa cum laude from Hofstra University School of Law, and he was awarded the Maurice A. Deane Award, which is conferred upon the student with the highest grade point average in the graduating class. While in law school, Patrick was also the Business Editor of the Hofstra Law Review.

Patrick is also a very active part of the local community. Since 2013, he has coached multiple teams in the Connetquot Youth Soccer League, and he has also been a youth softball and baseball coach for Sunrise Little League. Patrick serves as a Board member St. Mary School Parents’ Association and is the current chair of the St. Mary School 5K in East Islip. He is also currently a Director of the Bohemia Civic Association and has previously served as a member of the Connetquot Central School District’s Budget Advisory Committee. Patrick is also an avid runner, and he regularly participates in 5K runs across Long Island that help support various charitable organizations.

Education

Hofstra University School of Law,
J.D., summa cum laude, 2003

Fordham University, B.A., 1997

Professional and Civic Associations

• New York State Bar Association
• Suffolk County Bar Association
• Hauppauge Industrial Association
• Bohemia Civic Association
• Connetquot Youth Soccer League
• Sunrise Little League
• St. Mary School Parents’ Association

Recognition