Overview

Clients rely on Patrick M. Northen for strategic judgment and disciplined advocacy in complex litigation and appellate matters. He is known for his ability to distill difficult legal issues into clear arguments and guide clients through high-stakes disputes with steady leadership and careful analysis.

Patrick M. Northen is Co-Managing Partner of Dilworth Paxson and a partner in the firm’s litigation department. He focuses his practice on complex commercial litigation and appellate advocacy, representing businesses, nonprofit institutions, financial entities, government bodies, and individuals in high-stakes disputes across the country. Patrick is widely respected for his analytical rigor and exceptional legal writing, often serving as the strategist and principal brief writer in cases involving intricate legal issues or significant institutional implications. Over the course of his career, he has handled matters spanning commercial disputes, constitutional litigation, fiduciary conflicts, and complex business controversies in both state and federal courts.

Clients turn to Patrick when disputes require careful strategic thinking and disciplined execution. He approaches each matter by identifying the legal and factual issues that will ultimately determine the outcome and building a strategy that addresses those issues directly and efficiently. Patrick is particularly valued for his ability to present complex arguments with clarity and precision, helping courts and decision-makers navigate difficult questions while keeping client objectives at the forefront. Whether representing businesses in commercial litigation or institutions confronting sensitive legal challenges, he provides steady guidance grounded in deep legal analysis.

In addition to his litigation practice, Patrick plays a central leadership role in the firm as Co-Managing Partner. In that capacity, he helps shape the firm’s strategic direction while continuing to maintain an active practice. Patrick’s leadership reflects a commitment to intellectual rigor, collaboration and the development of younger lawyers. By fostering strong litigation teams and encouraging thoughtful advocacy, he helps ensure that clients benefit not only from his own experience but from the collective strength of the firm.

Representative Experience

  • Served as lead trial counsel to the former Speaker of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives in litigation challenging the constitutionality of Pennsylvania’s system for funding public education, culminating in a three-and-a-half-month trial before the Pennsylvania Commonwealth Court in William Penn School District v. Pennsylvania Department of Education.
  • Lead counsel for a group of closely held corporations defending against alter ego and successor liability claims in litigation arising from ERISA withdrawal liability resulting in summary judgment of no liability.
  • Lead counsel for major Philadelphia law firm in legal malpractice and breach of fiduciary duty case.
  • Lead counsel for a leasing company in litigation against a third-party investor involving the syndication of equipment leases resulting in defense verdict following federal jury trial.
  • Co-counsel for a major Philadelphia health care institution in a variety of business litigation matters, insurance coverage analyses and internal investigations.
  • Co-counsel for a benefit finance company in breach of contract litigation involving business-owned life insurance and other financial products.
  • Co-counsel for former executives of a public company in federal litigation involving complex constitutional and criminal law issues in trial and appellate courts.
  • Co-counsel and principal brief writer in litigation involving disputes between co-trustees of a trust holding controlling shares in a public insurance company, including obtaining removal of a corporate co-trustee, securing appointment of a successor trustee favored by the client and obtaining an injunction requiring the company to recognize the trust’s right to nominate board candidates.

Professional & Community Activities

  • Member, Philadelphia Bar Association

Speeches & Presentations

  • September 2025: “Basics of Effective Brief Writing,” presented at Dilworth Paxson LLP, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
  • September 2019: “The ‘New’ Pennsylvania Supreme Court: Reflections on the last three-plus years,” presented for Philadelphia Bar Institute, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
  • May 2017: “Litigation War Stories 2,” presented at Equipment Lease Finance Association Legal Forum, St. Pete Beach, Florida.
  • May 2016: “Litigation War Stories,” presented at Equipment Lease Finance Association Legal Forum, San Francisco, California.
  • May 2015: “Friendly Fire and Family Feuds: Internecine Conflicts between and among Leasing Companies, Vendors and/or Manufacturers,” presented at Equipment Lease Finance Association Legal Forum, Nashville, Tennessee.
  • May 2013: “Offense for Defense: Addressing Programmatic Failures,” presented at the Equipment Leasing and Finance Association Legal Forum, Charleston, South Carolina.
  • May 2011: “Millions in Defense, Not a Penny in Tribute: Defending the Commercial Fraud Case.” Presented at the Equipment Lease Finance Association Legal Forum, Scottsdale, Arizona.
  • November 2010: “Not One Penny in Tribute,” Legal Intelligencer CLE presentation, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Representative Experience

  • Served as lead trial counsel to the former Speaker of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives in litigation challenging the constitutionality of Pennsylvania’s system for funding public education, culminating in a three-and-a-half-month trial before the Pennsylvania Commonwealth Court in William Penn School District v. Pennsylvania Department of Education.
  • Lead counsel for a group of closely held corporations defending against alter ego and successor liability claims in litigation arising from ERISA withdrawal liability resulting in summary judgment of no liability.
  • Lead counsel for major Philadelphia law firm in legal malpractice and breach of fiduciary duty case.
  • Lead counsel for a leasing company in litigation against a third-party investor involving the syndication of equipment leases resulting in defense verdict following federal jury trial.
  • Co-counsel for a major Philadelphia health care institution in a variety of business litigation matters, insurance coverage analyses and internal investigations.
  • Co-counsel for a benefit finance company in breach of contract litigation involving business-owned life insurance and other financial products.
  • Co-counsel for former executives of a public company in federal litigation involving complex constitutional and criminal law issues in trial and appellate courts.
  • Co-counsel and principal brief writer in litigation involving disputes between co-trustees of a trust holding controlling shares in a public insurance company, including obtaining removal of a corporate co-trustee, securing appointment of a successor trustee favored by the client and obtaining an injunction requiring the company to recognize the trust’s right to nominate board candidates.

Insights