Patrick R. Burns

Throughout his 20-plus-year career, attorney Patrick R. Burns — licensed in Minnesota, Wisconsin, North Dakota and South Dakota — has viewed the practice of law as a ‘helping profession.’ From the moment Patrick takes on your personal injury case, he employs all of his resources toward securing the best possible outcome.

An experienced trial lawyer and expert in conflict resolution, Patrick helps individuals resolve matters in the least adversarial and most efficient manner possible. This means that your case usually will be settled out of court.

Patrick was recognized as a “2015 Minnesota Lawyer of the Year” by Minnesota Lawyer magazine. Since then, he has been included in the publication The Best Lawyers in America for his work in dispute resolution. He was also recognized as a Super Lawyer for Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) and litigation in 2014 - 2020 by The Twin Cities Business Journal. Minnesota Lawyer named Patrick one of 20 “Up and Coming Attorneys” in 2007; in 2010, he was named a “Rising Star” in ADR and litigation by Minnesota Law & Politics.

As a trial lawyer, Patrick has handled a wide variety of cases, including personal injury and criminal defense cases, business and insurance coverage disputes, and franchise and employment matters in military, state and federal courts. He also represents parties in mediations and arbitrations in a wide range of disputes. Clients have included individuals, military service members and veterans as well as both for-profit and non-profit businesses.

Patrick earned B.S., M.P.A. and J.D. degrees from the University of South Dakota. He also earned an LL.M in Dispute Resolution from the Pepperdine School of Law Straus Institute for Dispute Resolution in Malibu, California.

Pro Bono Activities and Community Involvement

Patrick was named “Attorney of the Year” by Minnesota Lawyer magazine for his pro bono appeal to the Veteran’s Administration and Army Board on behalf of a Vietnam War combat veteran.

After being appointed a Hennepin County (Minn.) District Court mediator in numerous pro bono cases, Patrick has been very active in establishing pro bono and flat fee mediation programs in Hennepin County. He has also served as a mediator for the Minneapolis Department of Civil Rights and has represented Minnesota GreenStar, Minnesota’s leading third-party certifier of green building, remodeling and design.