Bio

A member of the firm’s Professional Liability and Directors & Officers Liability practice groups, Patrick D. Filbin represents attorneys and accountants in malpractice litigation. In addition, he defends claims brought against corporate directors, officers and other executives serving as fiduciaries.

Mr. Filbin works closely with Plunkett Cooney’s diverse team of attorneys to craft a sound legal strategy for his clients based on the complexities of each claim. Because D&O cases often involve executives and leaders who face difficult choices every day, Mr. Filbin works closely with his clients to insure that their personal and professional interests are served and protected.

Some of the nation’s leading general liability insurance providers also rely on Mr. Filbin to serve as defense panel counsel to resolve claims brought against policyholders in the areas of motor vehicle negligence, asbestos liability, Admiralty Law, marine liability, religious institutions liability and premises liability.

Representative Client Work

  • Defended lawyers throughout the state of Michigan against claims of legal malpractice/professional negligence
  • Defended legal malpractice cases with underlying claims involving intellectual property, taxation, probate, bankruptcy, admiralty, executive compensation, banking, real estate, medical malpractice and business litigation
  • Represented pastors/church officers in intra-congregational disputes concerning removal of church leadership and organizational authority
  • Defended a prominent Detroit-area attorney against claims of wrong-doing relating to multi-million dollar investments in a variety of business settings
  • Represented lawyers before the Michigan Attorney Grievance Commission
  • Represented churches and religious organizations from claims of defamation and other torts asserted by congregants against church leadership
  • Defended church-run housing facilities from premises liability/negligence claims
  • Defended certified public accountants throughout the state of Michigan against claims of malpractice pertaining to tax engagements, reviews, audits and financial compilations
  • Tried legal malpractice cases in bench trials and before juries in the district and circuit courts in Michigan in addition to Federal Court
  • Successfully arbitrated claims brought against attorneys, accountants and other fiduciaries
  • Defended claims brought against parties for Admiralty law and maritime injuries, as well defended claims against attorneys concerning underlying Admiralty/maritime claims

Published Cases

  • Grden v. Leikin, Ingber & Winters, 643 F3d 169 (2011)
  • Hughes v Region VII Area Agency on Aging, 277 Mich App 268, 744 NW2d 10 (2007)
  • Bartell v Lohiser et al, 215 F3d 550 (6th Cir. 2000)
  • Cain v Lansing Housing Commission, 235 Mich App 566 (1999)
  • Board of County Road Commissioners for the County of Oakland v Michigan Property & Casualty Guaranty Association, 218 Mich App 342 (1996), affirmed 456 Mich 590 (1998)

Professional Affiliations

  • State Bar of Michigan
  • Michigan Defense Trial Counsel
  • Incorporated Society of Irish-American Lawyers

Publications and Lectures

  • "Significant Developments in Legal Malpractice Cases of 2022," Hinshaw 22nd Annual Legal Malpractice and Risk Management Conference, Chicago, March 2023

  • “Standing to Sue and Privity,” Hinshaw & Culbertson’s 13th Annual Legal Malpractice and Risk Management Conference, Lecturer/Panelist, Chicago, March 2014

  • “Social Media and Legal Ethics,” Medmarc Insurance Annual Conference, Lecturer/Panelist, Yosemite, CA, June 2011

  • “Accounting Malpractice Avoidance,” Michigan Association of Certified Public Accounts (MACPA), Continuing Education Program, 2007
  • Comment, “Pictures At An Execution”, 9 Cooley Law Rev 137 (1992)
  • Article, “ A Closer Look at the Family and Medical Leave Act”, 7 Mich L.W. 625 (1993) republished, 7 Missouri L.W. 299 (1993)

Community Involvement

  • Detroit Audubon Society (Board of Directors, Executive Committee member)

Public Policy Experience

  • Former lobbyist with Liz Robbins Associates and Legislative Assistant to U.S. Representative Paul Kanjorski, Washington, D.C.

Credentials

Education

  • Michigan State University - James Madison College, B.A., 1987
  • University of London & Exeter University (England), International Law & Economics, 1990
  • Western Michigan University Cooley Law School, cum laude, J.D., 1992

Admissions

  • Michigan, 1992
  • U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Michigan
  • U.S. District Court, Western District of Michigan, 1993
  • U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit

Honors/Awards

Honors & Recognitions

  • Thomas Cooley Law Review, Assistant Editor, 1991-1992