Previous Law Firm Name

• Merriman, Patterson & Allison
• Merriman, Patterson, Connolly & Hughes
• Patterson, Connolly & Hughes

Law Firm Overview

The law firm of Patterson & Connolly, L.L.P. was formed in June 2009. The firm's predecessor, Merriman, Patterson & Allison, was formed in July 1984 by E. Lawrence Merriman, Stephen R. Patterson, and G. Thomas Allison, III. In December 1986, the firm began expanding when Charles P. Connolly joined the firm as an associate. Mr. Connolly was formerly First Assistant City Attorney in Wichita Falls, Texas, accepting a similar position with the City of Longview as Assistant City Attorney in 1983.

The areas of practice have also expanded since 1984 and now include probate, employment, transportation, and commercial law. However, the primary focus of the firm remains that of general civil litigation in state and federal courts in East Texas, with emphasis on insurance, personal injury, products liability, toxic torts, and railroad defense. Attorneys in the firm are active in litigation in all state courts throughout East Texas and in the United States District Courts for the Eastern District of Texas. Patterson & Connolly, L.L.P. focuses on quality representations of its clients, taking great pride in tailoring its representation to the immediate and long term goals of each client. Although each attorney maintains his own docket, ideas and knowledge are freely shared so that every client receives the benefit of the extensive legal knowledge and experience of the firm's members.

Areas of Practice

• Insurance Defense & Product Liability
• Transportation Law
• Business & Commercial Litigation
• Construction Law
• Contracts
• Discrimination
• Employment Law -- Employer 10%
• Family Law
• Insurance Defense
• Insurance Law 70%
• Litigation & Appeals
• Personal Injury -- Defense

West Practice Categories

Business & Commercial Law, Contracts, Discrimination, Construction Law, Employment Law -- Employer, Family Law, Insurance Defense, Insurance Law, Litigation & Appeals, Personal Injury -- Defense, Transportation Law