About

Having attended Lawrence University from 1987–1991, I decided the Fox Valley was a perfect place to raise a family.  Meeting the love of my life, who is from the Fox River Valley, didn’t hurt the decision-making process either.

I moved to the area after law school and started at Menn Law Firm in 1996.  I learned how to litigate cases from two of the best and most well respected attorneys in Wisconsin, Jack Teetaert and Skip Beisenstein.  There is a right way and a wrong way to do your job, and they taught me the right way to litigate cases.  Litigation and trial work is all I’ve ever done and all I’ve ever wanted to do.

I have served as lead counsel and tried cases both within and outside of the State of Wisconsin – in Federal and State Courts.

I take pride in analyzing a situation objectively, looking at both sides.  This helps me represent my clients in the best possible way–focusing on the strengths of the case, while anticipating the weaknesses and preparing a response.

Injury cases (representing both individuals and insurance companies), business disputes, employment matters, real estate battles and medical malpractice claims are a few examples of the thousands of cases I have handled over a career that exceeds a quarter of a century.

The thing that motivates me?  Tell the truth, be fair, be reasonable.  If my client is suffering or being aggrieved because the other side, in a dispute, is violating those principles, I will gladly go to battle on their behalf.

I have been honored to be included as a Wisconsin Super Lawyer/Rising Star dating back to 2007.  I am also a Fellow of the Litigation Council of America, an honorary society of trial attorneys composed of less than .5% of American attorneys.

With my diverse trial/litigation experience, I have been asked by my colleagues to assist them with resolving their cases by serving as a mediator; an honor I take very seriously.

When not at the office, my wife, Tammy, and I love to head up north to the cottage with our two boys, Joe and Will, and, of course, our yellow lab.  To me, family is everything.

“First and foremost, listen to my clients, understand their situation and answer all of their questions.  Then outline objectives with them and develop a strategy to reach those objectives.  Finally, aggressively advocate.  This is my recipe for success, and it has served my clients well.”

Services

• Arbitrations
• Auto Accidents Involving Injury and/or Death
• Contract Disputes
• Corporate/Partnership Disputes
• Employment Disputes
• Farm Accidents
• Harassment/Discrimination/Wrongful Termination Claims
• Mediations
• Non-Compete Challenges
• Real Estate Disputes
• Representing Insurers on a Variety of Claims
• Slip and Fall Accidents
• Uninsured and/or Underinsured Motorist Claims

Experience

Education

• Lawrence University, B.A. 1991
• William Mitchell College of Law, J.D. 1994

Admitted to Practice

• State of Wisconsin
• US. District Court for the Eastern and Westerns Districts of Wisconsin
  • Admitted Pro Hac Vice to:
  • Illinois State Court
  • Iowa State Court
  • Virginia State Court
  • Arkansas State Court
  • Arkansas Federal District Court
  • California Federal District Court
  • Indiana Federal District Court

Professional Association Memberships

• American Bar Association – Labor & Employment Law Section
• State Bar of Wisconsin – Labor & Employment Section; Litigation Section
• Outagamie County Bar Association—President (2010), Vice President (2009), Secretary (2008)
• Defense Research Institute
• Wisconsin Defense Counsel
• American Association for Justice
• Wisconsin Association for Justice
• Litigation Counsel of America

Activities & Achievements

Pat has served as a speaker at a number of seminars involving employment matters and human resources issues, as well as matters involving personal injury cases. Below is a representative list:

• Record Keeping and Documentation Issues – April 2005
• Sexual Harassment: Employer and Employee Rights and Responsibilities – April 2005
• Fair Labor Standards Act and Other Legal Guidelines – May 2006
• Wage and Hour Law: Answers to Everyday Questions – June 2006
• Comparative and Contributory Negligence – August 2008
• Employment Issues in the Paperless Workplace – September 2009

Testimonials

“Patrick (Coffey) has a commanding persona. He seemed confident, so I felt confident; it was a reassuring feeling. Patrick returned my phone calls promptly and informed me of new information immediately. The entire staff of Menn Law was personable and helpful.”
— Linda Grissman, Client