Caroline C. Patterson

Caroline C. Patterson is an experienced litigation and transactional attorney whose practice includes title insurance and escrow matters, real estate disputes, business torts, contract disputes and employment matters. Ms. Patterson was instrumental in the successful resolution of a multimillion-dollar construction defect lawsuit, in addition to numerous complex real estate-related disputes.  She is also regularly employed in resolving municipal code compliance issues, insurance coverage disputes, employment disputes and personal injury matters and has represented business owners in negotiating and drafting transactional agreements.  Additionally, Ms. Patterson has given presentations on employment-related matters.

Ms. Patterson’s community involvement includes the Orange County Bar Association, Urban Land Institute, the Association of Business Trial Lawyers, Chapman University’s Family Violence Clinic and various local nonprofits. Ms. Patterson is also a licensed real estate broker in the state of California.

Ms. Patterson received her Bachelor of Arts degree from Willamette University, and her Juris Doctor from Chapman University’s Fowler School of Law, where she earned an Emphasis Certificate in Environmental, Land Use, and Real Estate Law, and was awarded the Witkin Award for Academic Excellence. Ms. Patterson is licensed to practice in California, and is also admitted to the U.S. District Court of the Central District of California.

Representative Matters

Ms. Patterson was part of the litigation team that successfully represented a mezzanine lender against securities, tort and authority claims by plaintiff investors who were defrauded in a massive Ponzi scheme involving the sale of tenant in common interests in a senior living facility in Northern California, alleging damages in excess of $40 million dollars. After six years of litigation, the Firm obtained summary judgment on all claims alleged against the mezzanine lender.

Ms. Patterson successfully represented a title insurer in a bad faith action arising from the denial of a claim by the title insurer for a missed lien. The insured claimed compensatory damages in excess of $1 million, plus punitive damages. After a three-week jury trial, the trial court granted the insured defendant’s motion for non-suit.

Ms. Patterson represented a homeowner in a contentious homeowner dispute involving encroachments that had been in existence for over 35 years.  The Firm successfully obtained implied and equitable easements.

Ms. Patterson successfully represented a private school against two consecutive lawsuits brought by a neighboring property owner attempting to assert nuisance and trespass claims and to establish easement rights over the school’s property.  The Firm was successful at trial in defeating both lawsuits.

Ms. Patterson represented a title insurer in subrogation action to recover damages arising from a fraudulent real estate transaction against a real estate broker for negligence and gold dealer for conversion. After a federal court jury trial, the Firm obtained a seven-figure verdict in favor of the title insurance company.

Ms. Patterson successfully represented an escrow company against negligence and contract claims brought by property owners in a cash-out refinance transaction who were defrauded by their loan broker who created bogus payoff demands and stole loan proceeds.

Ms. Patterson successfully represented an oil and gas company in an employment class action matter alleging wage and hour violations stemming from the hiring of independent contractors. The claims were settled.