Lori Patterson, shareholder in the Firm's Memphis office, concentrates her practice in securities litigation and litigation involving governmental entities. Ms. Patterson regularly represents broker-dealers, registered investment advisers and financial institutions in (1) customer initiated arbitrations and litigation; (2) enforcement proceedings and investigations by the SEC and Self-Regulatory Organizations; (3) intra-industry disputes and (4) employment related disputes, including "raiding" claims, claims related to non-competition agreements, the theft of trade secrets and injunctive proceedings.
In addition to her securities related work, Ms. Patterson also has extensive experience with complex business litigation, civil rights actions and governmental entity defense. Specifically, she has broad experience in litigation involving commercial torts, prosecuting and defending Section 1983 suits, public records matters, constitutional claims against municipalities and other governmental entities, disputes involving government contractors, as well as white collar criminal defense.
Prior to joining Baker Donelson, Ms. Patterson held a clerkship with The Honorable John C. Godbold, United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit from 1997 to 1998.
Securities Litigation and Defense of Broker-Dealers and Registered Investment Advisers
- Defended broker-dealer in federal court action alleging violations of federal and state securities laws, aiding and abetting breach of fiduciary duties, and commercial bribery in the wake of bankruptcy of registered investment adviser.
- Defended public corporation in shareholder derivative action. Obtained dismissal of case on the pleadings.
- Frequent representation of broker-dealers and registered investment advisers in litigation and in arbitrations involving claims of unsuitability, unauthorized trading, misrepresentation, churning, failure to supervise, and breach of fiduciary duty.
- Defended broker-dealers and registered investment advisors in SEC enforcement actions.
- Defended broker-dealers in FINRA enforcement actions.
- Defended broker-dealer in class action concerning due diligence performed as lead underwriter on bond deal. Obtained dismissal of case on the pleadings.
- Defended broker-dealer through trial in lawsuit concerning due diligence performed as lead underwriter on bond deal.
- Frequent representation of broker-dealer firms and their registered representatives in responding to subpoenas, document requests from regulators, informal inquiries as well as formal SRO investigations involving investment banking activities, alleged sales practice violations, failure to supervise and other matters.
- Successfully brought suit against former employees who attempted to raid clients and/or usurp corporate opportunities.
Municipal/Governmental Defense/Election Law
- Represented local government in litigation arising from school system consolidation.
- Represented individuals challenging dual majority election requirements under the United States Constitution and the Voting Rights Act.
- Defended municipality through trial and appeal on claims involving the regulation of the billboard industry. Dismissal of all claims obtained at trial.
- Successfully briefed and argued First Amendment case to the Sixth Circuit on behalf of a municipality accused of violating the First Amendment rights of individuals who were potential owners of adult entertainment businesses.
- Successfully represented municipality on Voting Rights Act claims.
- Successfully represented municipality on zoning matters, including claims alleging violations of due process and equal protection.
- Successfully represented municipality in forcing state election officials to place referendum questions on ballot in face of constitutional questions.
- Successfully represented candidate in bringing suit to have his name placed on the ballot over objections of election commission.
- Represented elected officials challenging term limits.
White Collar Criminal Matters
- Represented local public officials in investigations concerning official misconduct.
- Member of trial team for college football booster accused of violating the Federal Travel Act and Hobbs Act in bribing high school coaches to send student-athletes to certain colleges.
- Successfully represented government contractor accused of mail fraud and conspiracy in connection with Medicare contracts with the State of Tennessee and federal government. Indictment and charges were dismissed for represented defendant.
- Assisted government contractors with government investigations and grand jury proceedings.
- Defended employee accused of embezzlement from employer. Pre-trial diversion obtained for client.
- Listed in Mid-South Rising Stars, 2011
- Member – Tennessee, Alabama and American Bar Associations
- Member – Leo Bearman, Sr. Inn of Court
- Adjunct Professor – Legal Research and Writing, University of Memphis School of Law, 2001 – 2002
- Tennessee, 1999
- Alabama, 1997
- Cumberland School of Law, Samford University, J.D., 1997, summa cum laude
- Articles Editor – Cumberland Law Review, 1996 – 1997
- Cordell Hull Research and Writing Teaching Fellowship, 1997
- University of the South, B.S., 1993