Patrick D. Houston

Patrick D. Houston

ASSOCIATE
RICHMOND
T: 804.977.3310
F: 804.977.3297

Mr. Houston represents businesses and individuals in a broad range of business, commercial, intellectual property and employment-related disputes. His practice focuses primarily on business litigation, employment litigation, intellectual property litigation, personal injury actions and sports law matters. Through his business litigation experience he has represented and defended businesses in state and federal court, as well as a range of administrative forums in matters including complex litigation, corporate governance disputes, contract actions and tort-related matters. His labor and employment experience encompasses a range of challenges an employer might face in an employment relationship, including employment discrimination, wage and hour disputes and tort-related matters. In addition to his litigation experience, he counsels employers regarding employment policies, handbooks, internal investigations and compliance with relevant state and federal laws.  Through his intellectual property litigation experience, Mr. Houston assists clients in protecting and enforcing intellectual property rights. 

Prior to graduating from William & Mary Law School, Mr. Houston served as a judicial extern for a United States Magistrate Judge in the Eastern District of Virginia, assisted federal prosecutors in the United States Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of Virginia, Newport News Division, and served as a law clerk in a Richmond firm defending employers and insurers.

RECOGNITIONS

  • The Best Lawyers in America®, Richmond Commercial Litigation and Litigation – Labor and Employment "Ones to Watch" (2022-present), Entertainment and Sports Law "Ones to Watch" (2024)
 

Memberships & Activities

  • Member: Virginia State Bar
  • Member: Richmond Bar Association
  • Member: Virginia Bar Association
  • Best Lawyers Designation

ARTICLES

Computer Fraud and Abuse Act: Supreme Court Ruling

Employers can no longer rely on their contracts, policies, or industry standards as grounds for seeking a private suit against employees under the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act of 1986 (CFAA). The Supreme Court recently ruled that the CFAA did not regulate a person's authorized access to a computer for an improper purpose.  The Court limited claims under the CFAA to a person who exceeds his/her authorized access.

Client Alert: VDOLI COVID-19 Workplace Safety Rules

On Wednesday, July 15, 2020, the Virginia Safety and Health Codes Board (“Board”) of the Virginia Department of Labor and Industry (“VDOLI”) met to discuss and adopt workplace safety regulations (16 VAC 25-220) proposed by VDOLI on June 12, 2020 in response to the SARS-CoV-2 virus (“Virus”) that causes COVID-19. This meeting was the final meeting in a series of meetings held by the Board to discuss the originally-proposed regulations. During this time, multiple amendments to these regulations were proposed by Board members.

Client Alert: Virginia Department of Labor and Industry COVID Proposed Rules

On Wednesday, June 24, 2020, the Virginia Safety and Health Codes Board (“Board”) of the Virginia Department of Labor and Industry met to discuss the adoption of the proposed COVID-19 workplace safety regulations previously highlighted in our June 18 Client Alert below. The Board did not vote on the proposed regulations, but addressed several procedural matters moving the Board closer to approving new regulations in the near future. The Board anticipates holding another meeting the week of June 29, 2020 where it may vote on approving final regulations, although a meeting date has not been announced.

NEWS

A Record 87 Whiteford Attorneys Listed in Best Lawyers in America 2024, Ten Selected as “Ones to Watch”

87 lawyers from Whiteford, Taylor & Preston have been selected by their peers for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America® 2024 (copyright 2023 by Woodward/White, Inc., of Aiken S.C.). New practice areas of recognition include CleanTech Law and Entertainment and Sports Law. The lawyers selected are based in the firm’s Delaware, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia and Washington offices. Client comments are posted on the Best Lawyers website, at bestlawfirms.com.

73 Whiteford Attorneys Listed in Best Lawyers in America 2023, Six Selected as “Lawyer of the Year”

73 lawyers from Whiteford, Taylor & Preston have been selected by their peers for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America® 2023 (copyright 2022 by Woodward/White, Inc., of Aiken S.C.). The lawyers selected are based in the firm’s Delaware, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia and Washington, D.C. offices. Client comments are posted on the U.S. News & Best Lawyers web site, at bestlawfirms.com.

75 Whiteford Attorneys Listed in Best Lawyers in America 2022, Eight Named “Ones to Watch”

A record 75 lawyers from Whiteford, Taylor & Preston have been selected by their peers for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America® 2022 (copyright 2021 by Woodward/White, Inc., of Aiken S.C.). The lawyers selected are based in the firm’s Delaware, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia and Washington offices. Client comments are posted on the U.S. News & Best Lawyers web site, at bestlawfirms.com.