Patrick Wartelle is a Partner and heads the Firm’s office in Lafayette, Louisiana. Pat was admitted to practice law in 1984, worked as an associate with Milling, Benson, Woodward, Hillyer, Pierson & Miller from 1984 through the end of 1985, and then joined the firm that was eventually known as Roy, Bivins, Judice, Roberts & Wartelle, where he practiced as an associate until 1989, at which point he became a shareholder and director. On August 1, 2008, the Roy, Bivins firm merged with Leake & Andersson, L.L.P. and Pat became a Partner with the Firm.

His primary practice areas are medical malpractice defense, general civil defense litigation, commercial litigation, government law, employment law including discrimination cases, corporate and limited liability company formation, public power law, and mediation. He has tried dozens of lawsuits in federal and state courts and participated in many appeals. Pat has successfully represented large corporations, small businesses, governmental entities, and insurance companies in personal injury and property damage cases and in commercial litigation. He has also successfully defended employers in several discrimination and employment-related cases through trials and appeals. He has also handled maritime personal injury cases, including Jones Act, 905(b), general maritime negligence, and LHWCA cases. He has mediated over 250 cases as a mediator.

He is a member of the American Bar Association, Louisiana Association of Defense Counsel, and the Maritime Law Association. He grew up in Opelousas, Louisiana, graduated from Northwestern State University cum laude in 1980, and received his law degree from Louisiana State University Law School in 1984.