About Patrick Cotter

Patrick is an accomplished attorney who has extensive trial experience in both criminal and civil cases. Patrick has completed well over 100 jury and court trials in both criminal and civil matters with over 60 jury trials taken to a jury verdict. Patrick has gained valuable experience as both a prosecutor and a criminal defense attorney where he has spent nearly every day in the courtroom. He has extensive experience assisting individuals charged with criminal offenses in both Federal and State court. Patrick utilizes his courtroom experience to secure fair and just compensation for individuals who have suffered a personal injury or wrongful death of a loved one.

Patrick grew up one of ten children in Austin, Minnesota. Patrick walked-on to the University of Notre Dame football team coming out of high school. He later competed with distinction as a two-sport collegiate athlete in both Football and Track & Field at the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul, MN. Patrick earned his Bachelor’s Degree Cum Laude from St. Thomas in 1997. He went on to receive his law degree from William Mitchell College of Law in 2002.

Patrick is a leader. He is the immediate past President of Dakota County Bar Association and remains on the Board of Directors. He is the current President of the Minnesota Association for Criminal Defense Lawyers (MACDL). Patrick volunteers as a judge in Dakota County presiding over conciliation court cases, and he volunteers for Dakota County Legal Aid assisting individuals and children who are victims of domestic abuse.

Patrick is routinely recognized by his peers for distinction. He has been selected a Top 100 Minnesota Attorney across all practice areas by Minnesota Law and Politics Magazine 2016-present. Patrick is routinely been selected a Super Lawyer, and prior to that he was selected eight times as a Rising Star attorney. Patrick has been selected in the Best Lawyers in America. He is recognized by the National Trial Lawyers as Top 100 Attorney for the State of Minnesota in the field of criminal defense. Patrick is certified by the Minnesota State Bar Association as a Criminal Law Specialist.

Education

• University of Saint Thomas, B.A. 1997
• William Mitchell College of Law, J.D. 2002
• University of Saint Thomas, Mini- MBA program certificate 2013

Bar Admissions

• State of Minnesota, 2002
• United States District Court, District of Minnesota, 2003
• State of Wisconsin, 2011
• United States District Court, District of North Dakota, 2014

Special Certifications

• Certified Criminal Law Specialist, Minnesota State Bar Association

Distinctions

• Recognized by Best Lawyers in America 2021-present
• Voted Top 100 Super Lawyers, Minnesota Law & Politics Magazine, 2016-present
• Selected to Super Lawyers, Minnesota Law & Politics Magazine, 2014-present
• Selected to Rising Stars, Minnesota Law & Politics Magazine, 2005-2006, 2008-2013
• Selected to The National Trial Lawyers Top 100, The National Trial Lawyers, 2013-present
• Selected to The National Trial Lawyers Top 40 under 40, The National Trial Lawyers, 2012
• Inclusion “Top Attorney’s North America” Who’s Who Directories, Attorney Edition

Appointments/Professional Activity

• Minnesota Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers – President 2022
• Minnesota Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers Board of Directors 2012-2018
• Dakota County Bar Association-President 2017-2022
• Dakota County Bar Association Board of Directors 2015-present
• Board of Directors -University of St. Thomas Alumni Association 2009-2015
• Conflicts Panel -Federal Public Defender

Professional Associations

• Member, Minnesota State Bar Association
• Member, Minnesota Association for Justice
• Member, Dakota County Bar Association
• Member National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers

Community Involvement/Pro Bono Legal Service

• Commissioner Parks & Recreation – City of Mendota Heights 2019-2022
• Volunteer Loaves and Fishes
• Volunteer Attorney Legal Assistance for Dakota County
• Conciliation Court Referee -Dakota County District Court
• Volunteer University of St. Thomas Law School Mentorship Program
• Volunteer Southern Minnesota Regional Legal Services Attorney
• Volunteer youth sports coach 2018-present

Scholarly Lectures and Writings

• “Sentencing” Minnesota State Bar Association Criminal Law Section Everything But Trial School” (January 2014), Speaker, Minnesota State Bar Association, 2014
• Writer of article, Challenger Magazine published by the Minnesota Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, 2013
• “I Need to Drive, Implied Consent Law” Minnesota CLE (May 2013), Speaker, Minnesota CLE, 2013
• It’s Game Time, Winning Opening Statements” Minnesota State Bar Association Trial School (March 2013), Speaker, Minnesota State Bar Association Trial School, 2013
• Winning Closing Arguments and Sentencing” Hennepin County Bar Association Criminal Law Section (March 2012), Speaker, Hennepin County Bar Association, 2012