Patrick McLain

He knows that when a service member’s career, freedom, or future is on the line, they deserve more than a lawyer. They deserve a warrior who has lived the mission.

Call 360-447-9365

Most criminal defendants facing charges in Kitsap County are up against institutions with enormous resources and the presumption of authority on their side.

But for active duty military personnel and veterans, the stakes are even higher. A criminal charge doesn’t just threaten their freedom; it can end a career, strip away benefits, and erase the sacrifices of service.

Patrick understands those stakes better than almost any other attorney practicing in the region because he has spent his career at the intersection of criminal law and military life.

He doesn’t just know the law. He knows the culture, the chain of command, the military justice system, and what it means to wear a uniform.

Patrick's path to law was shaped first by service.

As a retired Marine Corps military judge, he spent over two decades in uniform before entering private practice. His first jury trials were conducted in the deserts of Saudi Arabia during Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm.

He served as a supervising prosecutor, a supervising defense attorney, and ultimately as a Courts-Martial Trial Judge, presiding over more than 400 cases, 80 of which were jury trials, with not a single decision overturned on appeal.

After leaving the Marine Corps in 2002, Patrick served as an Assistant United States Attorney in the Northern District of Texas, prosecuting federal cases in child exploitation, computer crimes, fraud, and firearms. He graduated from the University of Texas School of Law and earned his undergraduate degree from the University of Dallas.

Since entering private practice in 2004, he has handled thousands of criminal cases in state, federal, and military courts around the world. His peers have recognized him with the Martindale-Hubbell AV Preeminent rating, which is the highest possible ranking for professional excellence, and Thomson Reuters has named him a SuperLawyer in White Collar Criminal Defense every year since 2009. He is also a Fellow of the Litigation Counsel of America, a trial attorney honor society.

Now, as of counsel at LaCross Law, Patrick brings something to Kitsap County that no other firm in the area can offer: the ability to consult with military clients who are facing criminal charges and need to understand the full scope of their exposure, both in civilian court and under the Uniform Code of Military Justice.
For Patrick, that distinction is personal. He knows what it means to serve. He knows what it costs when service members are left without proper counsel. And he is committed to making sure that military clients in this community have access to the expert defense they have earned.

Outside of the law, Patrick’s life continues to reflect his sense of duty and commitment to community. He is a Life Member of the Marine Corps Association, the Marine Corps League, the Military Officers Association of America, the Veterans of Foreign Wars, and the American Legion. He has served as a Boy Scout and Cub Scout leader and as a council officer in the Knights of Columbus. He has taught as an adjunct instructor at some of the country’s most respected legal institutions, including Emory University School of Law, Southern Methodist University School of Law, the Naval Justice School, and the U.S. Air Force Judge Advocate General’s School.

Patrick McLain has spent his career fighting for those who serve. At LaCross Law, he brings that same commitment home to Kitsap County.

Education

J. D. – The University of Texas School of Law, Austin, TX
B.A. – University of Dallas, Irving, TX
Trial Lawyers College – Wyoming and nationwide
Adjunct Instructor – Emory University School of Law, Atlanta, GA
Adjunct Instructor – Southern Methodist University School of Law, Dallas, TX
Adjunct Instructor – Naval Justice School, Newport, RI
Adjunct Instructor – U.S. Air Force Judge Advocate General’s School, Montgomery, AL
Adjunct Instructor – Trial Defense Services, U.S. Army
Adjunct Instructor – Center for American and International Law, Plano, TX
Adjunct Instructor – Texas Criminal Defense Lawyers Association
Adjunct Instructor – State Bar of Texas

Bar Admissions and Licenses

Texas
U.S. Supreme Court
U.S. Court of Appeals – 5th Circuit
U.S. Court of Appeals – 8th Circuit
U.S. Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces
U.S. Air Force Court of Criminal Appeals
U.S. Army Court of Criminal Appeals
U.S. Navy-Marine Corps Court of Criminal Appeals
U.S. District Court – Eastern District of Texas
U.S. District Court – Northern District of Texas
U.S. District Court – Southern District of Texas
U.S. District Court – Western District of Texas
U.S. District Court – District of Columbia

Accolades and Continuing Legal Education

Martindale-Hubbell AV Preeminent Rating – Highest level of professional excellence
SuperLawyer, White Collar Criminal Defense – Thomson Reuters (every year since 2009)
Inducted into Litigation Counsel of America – Trial Attorney Honor Society, 2012
AVVO Client’s Choice Award, 2012
Outstanding Career Attorney Award – Judge Advocates’ Association, 2002
Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal, 2002
Meritorious Service Medal, Second Award, 1999
Meritorious Service Medal, 1996
Navy-Marine Corps Commendation Medal, Second Award, 1993
Navy-Marine Corps Commendation Medal, 1991
Navy-Marine Corps Achievement Medal, Third Award, 1989
Mock Trial Team – National Champions and Finalists, 1989
Navy-Marine Corps Achievement Medal, Second Award, 1987
Navy-Marine Corps Achievement Medal, 1986
National Merit Scholarship – University of Chicago, 1976

Memberships

Judge Advocates’ Association — Life Member, Past Member of the Board of Directors
Trial Lawyers College — Past President, Alumni Board
Past Chair, Military and Veterans Law Section — State Bar of Texas
Life Fellow, Texas Bar Foundation
Litigation Counsel of America — Trial Attorney Honor Society
Federal Bar Association — Past President, Dallas Chapter
National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers
Texas Criminal Defense Lawyers’ Association
Thurgood Marshall Legal Society, University of Texas – Austin
Student Pro-Life Association – Founder, University of Dallas
Louisiana Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers — Life Member
Dallas Criminal Defense Lawyers Association
Dallas Bar Association — Chair, Various Committees
State Bar College of Texas
American Inns of Court — Judge Advocates’ Inn, Washington, DC (Inn of Master); Mac Taylor Inn of Court, Dallas, TX
Saint Thomas More Society, Diocese of Dallas — Board Member
Marine Corps Association — Life Member
Marine Corps League — Life Member
Military Officers Association of America — Life Member
Veterans of Foreign Wars — Life Member
NRA – Life Member
American Legion — Life Member
Knights of Columbus — Council Officer, Member since 1977, Present Third Degree
Boy Scouts of America — Boy Scout and Cub Scout Leader

Our promise to you: by the time we’re done with your case, you will know without a shadow of a doubt that our team heard you.

That we dedicated ourselves to your case.

And that we stood by you as your warriors in battle.