Moses' father-in-law first suggested a hierarchy of courts (See Exodus 18:13-26) and cases today are not always won or lost at the trial level. Out of more than 24 appeals that Mr. Patterson has handled, some in conjunction with other attorneys, here are some notable decisions:
- In re: Marriage of Bennett, 131 Ill.App.3d 1050, 476 N.E.2d 1297 (2d Dist. 1985): modification of fee agreements to attorney's advantage is presumptively fraudulent. The case was featured in the Chicago Tribune's "On the Law" column on May 7, 1985.
- Chemical Bank v. Paul, 244 Ill.App. 3d 772, 614 N.E. 2d 436 (1st Dist. 1993): one of the leading cases on the obligation of good faith in commercial dealings.
- Franklin v. FMC Corp., 150 Ill.App.3d 343, 501 N.E.2d 887 (1st Dist. 1986): one of the leading cases on the intra state forum non conveniens doctrine (permits cases to be transferred between counties).
- Heinrich v. Peabody, 117 Ill.2d 162, 510 NE 2d 889 (1987), which Mr. Patterson argued twice in the Illinois Supreme Court, is the definitive case on the pleading requirements for deciding who is responsible for the actions of an employee loaned by one company to another (loaned servant doctrine).
- Interfaith Medical Center v.Sabiston, 527 N.Y.S. 2d 48, 136 A.D. 2d 238 (NY AD 1988): one of the leading cases in the nation on a private association's right to enforce its own rules.
- McKenzie v. Romeiser, 205 Ill.App. 3d 830, 563 N.E.2d 837 (1990): in a case briefed and argued by Mr. Patterson, Justice Jiganti stated: "Both counsel on appeal were especially good lawyers."
- Stofer v. First National Bank of Effingham, 212 Ill.App.3d 530, 571 N.E.2d 157 (5th Dist. 1991): doctrines of interference with contractual relations and duress.
- Hinc v. Lime-O-Sol Co., 382 F. 3d 716 (7th Cir. 2004): obligation of “good faith” is not too vague to enforce.
- Welsh v. Boy Scouts of America, 993 F.2d 126 (7th Cir. 1993): the boy scouts could exclude atheists. The Chicago Tribune (June 19, 1991), Wall Street Journal (March 16, 1992), and Chicago Sun-Times (March 14, 1992) all covered this case. I was quoted in my firm's newsletter: "We represented God and won."