Patrick D. McKevitt

Partner
blank image Patrick D. McKevitt

Patrick D. McKevitt

Partner
Baltimore T: 410.347.9447 F: 410.223.3498
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Patrick D. McKevitt

Patrick D. McKevitt

PARTNER
pmckevitt@whitefordlaw.com
BALTIMORE
T: 410.347.9447
F: 410.223.3498
Biography
BIOGRAPHY

Mr. McKevitt is an experienced litigator, focusing primarily on construction litigation and contracting, business disputes, class action defense, and insurance defense and coverage disputes. He has successfully represented large and small clients through all phases of the litigation process.  Mr. McKevitt has tried several cases to verdict in both bench and jury trials in state and federal court, and has prosecuted and defended appeals in state and federal appellate courts. He has extensive experience with civil rights litigation, having defended Baltimore Police officers in state and federal court for several years. He has served as local counsel for major law firms in a variety of civil litigation matters, including construction litigation, shareholder class actions, and enforcement of arbitration provisions and foreign judgments.  Before joining the firm, Mr. McKevitt clerked for the Honorable Albert J. Matricciani, Jr. on the Court of Special Appeals of Maryland.

Recognitions

  • Benchmark Litigation, "40 & Under Hot List" (2023)
  • Maryland Super Lawyers®, Constuction Litigation "Rising Stars" (2019–2021)
 

Memberships & Activities

  • Member: Maryland State Bar Association
  • Member: American Bar Association
  • Member: Howard County Bar Association
  • Member: Bar Association of Baltimore City
  • Member: Maryland Defense Counsel
  • Member: Coastal Conservation Association
  • Benchmark Litigation Designation

Construction Litigation

  • Defense of national gas distribution, transmission pipeline, and utility contractor for alleged civil rights and breach of contract
  • Representation of national commercial builder in multimillion dollar breach of contract and tort action against design/builder and owner
 

Business Litigation

  • Representation of national consumer credit counseling provider in class action litigation in trial court and in the Fourth Circuit
  • Representation of integrator of wireless telecommunications equipment and manufacturer of mobile switching centers in international contract dispute
  • Successful trial verdict for member of an LLC in contribution action against other member to recover personal funds used to satisfy LLC’s
 

Mass Tort and Class Action Litigation

  • Defense of nationwide consumer class arbitration proceedings and related judicial review proceedings involving alleged violations of the federal Credit Repair Organizations Act, the RICO statute, and state consumer fraud statutes
  • Drafted portion of opposition to proposed consolidation of 3000+ personal injury cases on behalf of international chemical company
 

Products Liability, Toxic Exposure & Environmental Litigation

  • Representing chemical company in multiple asbestos products liability cases pending in the Circuit Court for Baltimore City and the District of Columbia Superior Court
  • Obtained summary judgment on behalf of ingredient supplier in an action brought by the ex-wife based on the ex-husband’s alleged "take home" exposure to asbestos through his work clothing, arguing successfully that the husband was not in the “same place at the same time” as any asbestos for which ingredient supplier was responsible
  • Defense of $3 billion suit against fuel company alleging contamination of residential well water
 

Insurance Coverage & Defense Litigation

  • Obtained dismissal on behalf of construction subcontractor in worksite injury action against general contractor
  • Insurer representation with regard to coverage analysis and opinion letters
  • Representation of a bar and restaurant against negligence and intentional tort claims arising out of wrongful death claim brought by family members of a patron
 

Civil Rights and Associated Tort Litigation

  • Representation of police officers in cases involving civil rights and associated tort claims in Maryland state and Federal courts, including successful results in motions and jury trials
 

Real Estate Litigation

  • Representation of national shopping mall owners in landlord/tenant and other commercial lease-related disputes
 

Appellate Practice

  • Representation of consumer credit counseling provider in appeals in United States Court of Appeals for Fourth Circuit
  • Representation of chemical company in asbestos products liability cases in the Court of Special Appeals
  • Representation of  national gas distribution, transmission pipeline, and utility contractor awarded summary judgment in trial court
  • Member of firm's appellate practice committee
 

Municipal

  • Representation of local governments in various civil litigation matters, including representing Baltimore City in actions involving claims arising out of alleged conduct by Baltimore City police officers; Montgomery County in federal civil litigation; the Maryland National Capital Park and Planning Commission (“MNCPPC”) in federal civil litigation; and St. Mary’s County in environmental defense
INSIGHTS

Co-Author: "Amendment to Rule 2-231," The Defense Line, a publication from the Maryland Defense Counsel, June 2019

Author: "Dealing with the Inevitable: Practical Considerations in Defending Merger Objection Lawsuits," For the Defense, October 2013

ARTICLES

January 18, 2023

Client Alert: Major Win for Montgomery County: Whiteford Successfully Defends County Against Religious Burden Claim

On January 9, the United States Supreme Court declined to hear an appeal claiming that Montgomery County illegally enforced a land use regulation that prevented a Christian group from constructing a 2000-seat religious facility in Burtonsville, Maryland. The case, Canaan Christian Church, et al. v. Montgomery County, Md, et al., was originally filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland in November 2016 by Canaan Christian Church and a group of four property owners who complained that the County refused to extend public sewer and water service to their properties, thus imposing an improper substantial burden on religious exercise under the Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act (known as “RLUIPA”).
October 29, 2013

Dealing with the Inevitable: Practical Considerations in Defending Merger Objection Lawsuits

Identifying, evaluating, and acting on potential merger & acquisition (M & A) deals is one of a director’s most challenging responsibilities. The process involves complex valuation and market analysis, high-stakes negotiations, input from independent legal and financial advisors, and ultimately, deciding whether a deal is in the shareholders’ best interests. Industry observers lament that after all of this work on behalf of their firms and shareholders, directors of target companies are “routinely rewarded for this huge commitment by being sued.”

NEWS

October 5, 2023

13 Whiteford Lawyers Recognized by Benchmark Litigation in 2024

Benchmark Litigation, the widely respected guide to leading litigation firms and lawyers, has announced that thirteen Whiteford attorneys have been named 2024 “Litigation Stars,” “Future Stars,” “Labor and Employment Stars,” and “40 & Under” in DC, Delaware, Maryland and Virginia (*new recognition in 2024).
August 1, 2023

McKevitt named to Benchmark Litigation 40 & Under

Patrick D. McKevitt from Whiteford has been named to the Benchmark Litigation 40 & Under. He is identified by peers and clients as being among the most notable up-and-coming litigation attorneys in the United States.
January 3, 2022

New 2022 Partners Elected at Whiteford Taylor & Preston

Whiteford, Taylor & Preston is pleased to announce that Jordan M. Halle, Emily K. Lashley, Stephen E. Luttrell, Kelly E. McCauley and Patrick D. McKevitt have been named Partners of the firm, effective January 1, 2022.