Patterson

Chris Patterson, an attorney at Wiseman Bray PLLC, recently was selected by the industry journal Law and Politics as a 2009 Mid-South Rising Star in the field of construction litigation. Patterson was the only Tennessee lawyer listed as a rising star in this area of the law.

Patterson received bachelor’s degrees in microbiology and history from the University of Tennessee. He earned his juris doctorate from the University of Memphis Cecil C. Humphreys School of Law. He also practices in personal injury, medical malpractice and business litigation.

He is a member of the Memphis and Tennessee bar associations and the Tennessee Association for Justice. Patterson also currently serves on the Metro Charter Commission designed to work toward a Memphis and Shelby County government consolidation agreement.

Q: What attracted you to construction litigation? How long have you been practicing in that area of the law?

A: I have handled construction cases for about five years. I enjoy the technical aspect of these types of cases, learning how and why things are built in a certain way. Also, I get to meet a lot of interesting people.

Q: Do you focus on commercial or residential real estate construction, or do you handle both?

A: I handle both commercial and residential cases for both owners and contractors.

Q: What is one of the more difficult parts of construction litigation, especially during an economic downturn such as the recent recession?

A: It has been my experience that in the current recession, construction claims tend to increase. There is a ripple effect that takes place in construction because so many people’s livelihoods are affected by timely and efficient work. Profit margins get thinner and so there is less room for mistakes or cost overruns. It puts even greater emphasis on how important it is for all parties to have a thorough contract and to actually understand what the contract says. I can’t tell you how many times I have sat down with contractors to review their contracts and had them be surprised by what their own contract said. Unfortunately, it is usually after a serious dispute has arisen.

Q: Has the economic free-fall caused a change in the number or type of cases you have handled recently?

A: It has increased the number of calls I am getting with regards to potential claims. Unfortunately, the recession has gone on so long that now, the litigation is more in connection with banks attempting to collect on outstanding liabilities than actual construction disputes.

Q: How much of your practice is devoted to other types of cases such as personal injury, malpractice and business litigation?

A: I would say about a third of my time is spent on construction cases with the remaining two-thirds being injury cases or business disputes.

Q: If you could not be an attorney, what would be your second career choice?

A: Either a general contractor or a Mexican restaurant critic.