Jay Patton

Jay Patton is a partner in Taylor English’s Litigation and Dispute Resolution Department. With more than 25 years of complex litigation experience, Mr. Patton has successfully handled a wide variety of litigation matters, including successfully representing businesses and individuals in cases filed across the country involving claims arising from contracts, warranties, commercial transactions, construction, and automobile accidents. He represents clients across multiple industries, including manufacturing, automotive, technology, banking and insurance.

Mr. Patton partners directly with clients to collect the information needed to assess a claim or defense and candidly communicates his assessment with clients. He is proactive in his approach, recognizing that lengthy litigation isn’t the best way to solve every matter. These services include rapid response investigation and analysis of catastrophic manufacturing events, prelitigation commercial contract analysis and risk assessment counseling.

A few examples of Mr. Patton’s work include:

Commercial Contracts

– Securing dismissal for national homebuilder in subrogation action filed against it by customer’s insurance carrier;

– Securing a walk-away settlement on behalf of small technology company who was wrongfully sued by a large international manufacturer for breach of contract, breach of warranty and fraud;

– Defeating a plaintiff’s request for an injunction and securing summary judgment in a business tort action seeking in excess of $20 million in damages against a renewable energy start-up; and

– Securing dismissal of an invasion of privacy action brought against a national bank by a former customer and successfully defending that dismissal on appeal; and,

Insurance Coverage

– State Farm v. Taylor, United States District Court, Northern District of Georgia: Secured summary judgment resolution of declaratory judgment, and related personal injury action, regarding issues arising out of an insurance policy that was purchased on the same date as the accident;

– State Farm v. Payne, United States District Court, Northern District of Georgia: Secured summary judgment resolution of declaratory judgment action, and related personal injury action, regarding availability of UIM coverage;

– State Farm v Marshall, United States District Court, Southern District of Georgia: Secured summary judgment resolution of case for State Farm in declaratory judgment action regarding availability of UIM and Liability coverage arising out of an altercation that occurred in a vehicle; and

– McLacklan v. State Farm, United States District Court for the Middle District of Florida: Secured summary judgment for State Farm in declaratory judgment action involving the purchase of a motor vehicle.

Trial Practice

– Cherry v. Hunt, Forsyth County State Court, Georgia, Opening Demand – $100,000, Final Offer – $10,000, two days of trial with liability admitted – $1,800;

– Akiti v. Lewis, DeKalb County State Court, Georgia, Medical Expenses – $159,000, Opening Demand – $700,000, Final Offer – $25,000 policy limits, three days of trial with disputed liability – $145,000 with 49% of fault apportioned to Plaintiff – Final Judgment – $73,950;

– Marshall v Tesafamichael, Gwinnett County State Court, Georgia; Medical Expenses – $12,626.50, Opening Demand – $75,000, Final Offer – $45,000, two days of trial with liability admitted – verdict of $12,626.50; and

– Milton v. Evans, Gwinnett County State Court, Georgia; Medical Expenses – $57,572.91, Opening Demand – $500,000, Final Offer – $100,000, two days of trial with liability admitted – verdict of $110,000.

Prior to joining Taylor English, Mr. Patton was a partner in a Georgia-based full-service law firm. He previously served as senior counsel at Georgia-Pacific LLC and practice as a partner at an AmLaw 75 firm.

Affiliations

• State Bar of Georgia, Member