Overview

Patrick is a Partner in the Halifax office of Cox & Palmer. Born in Toronto and raised in Wedgeport, NS, Patrick was admitted to the Nova Scotia Bar in 1998, having completed his education at Saint Mary’s University (B.Comm. 1990), University of Windsor (M.B.A. 1991), Dalhousie Law School (LL.B., 1997), and the Institute of Corporate Directors (ICD.D, 2023).

With over 20 years of maintaining a transactional law practice, Patrick is an experienced business lawyer with extensive experience advising on complex corporate and technology deals.

Always one to embrace innovation and efficiency to provide a better client experience, Patrick is constantly researching and implementing technology and process improvements related to the business of law to allow Cox & Palmer to better serve its clients.

When not focused on helping clients pursue opportunities or solving challenges, Patrick uses his time to unplug from work and re-connect with his busy family, tackle renovation projects, maintain his racing bikes, train and take online courses that catch his interest. An endurance athletics enthusiast, Patrick has completed many marathons, cycling and triathlon events, including several Ironman branded events.

Patrick is frequently called upon to provide strategic advice to business owners, executives and boards of directors. His experience includes assisting clients in complex financings, mergers and acquisitions involving private and public companies as well as equity offerings, private equity transactions and financings.

Patrick has an extensive experience with unlimited company law (ULCs) and maintains a robust and responsive agency-based practice providing coordinated Atlantic Canadian legal services to out-of-region lawyers. This includes:

Patrick is actively involved in Nova Scotia’s start-up ecosystem having championed Cox & Palmer’s support of incubators and accelerator programs, as well as providing pro-bono advice to start-ups across Nova Scotia and judging various pitch competitions in the region. Patrick’s work with entrepreneurs, founders, early and growth stage businesses includes assisting with structuring, founder agreements and disputes, employee equity issues, angel and venture capital investments and exits.

Patrick currently serves as General Counsel to the Halifax office, chair of the Halifax office Defence, Aerospace, and Security practice group, and Chair of Cox & Palmer’s Regional Board of Directors. In the past, he served as the inaugural Halifax office Practice Innovation Lead, a member of the Halifax office Executive Committee, chair of the Halifax office Business group, chair of the Halifax office Technology & Life Sciences group, and chair of Cox & Palmer’s Regional Start-up Industry Group.

Practice Areas

• Banking/Finance
• Intellectual Property
• Corporate & Commercial Law
• Information Technology Law

Bar Information

Called to the bar: 1998 (NS)