Patrick D. Sears Jr.

Associate Attorney

Bar Admissions

• Admitted to State Bar of Texas October 2022

Education

• University of Houston Law Center, Houston, Texas May 2021
  Doctor of Jurisprudence
  Honors: Dean’s List – Fall 2019
  Activities
  • Black Law Students Association, Treasurer – Fall 2019-Spring 2020
  • James Hippard Mock Trial, Quarterfinalist – Fall 2019
• University of Houston, Houston, Texas
  Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and Philosophy, magna cum laude December 2016

Sections – State Bar of Texas / Professional Memberships

• African American Lawyers | Insurance Law | Business Law | Criminal Justice | Construction Law
• Houston Young Lawyers Association

Experience

Taylor, Taylor & Russell, LLP, Associate Attorney, Houston, Texas December 5, 2022 – Present

• Drafted persuasive pretrial motions (e.g., motions to sever and abate) arguing case facts and nuances of the law to achieve
  early case dismissals, a federal brief in support of the client’s contractual right to arbitration, and contributed to an appellate
  brief in support of the client’s ownership interest in a corporation and damages stemming from the partition thereof
• Researched and drafted analysis on construction lien notice conditions and fraudulent transfers in wrap-around mortgages
• Successfully argued a motion to dismiss achieving a dismissal order without prejudice

HISD – Mandarin Immersion Magnet School, Teacher, Houston, Texas August 2021 – June 2022

• Created interactive ELA lessons with Microsoft Teams and adjusted approach to confer with parents about student progress
• Communicated clear written/oral instructions and facilitated collaborative projects which engaged diverse learning styles
• Promoted and analyzed written and oral advocacy skills through authentic public forum and policy style student debates

Law Office of Andre Ligón, Law Clerk, Houston, Texas January 2021 – August 2021

• Performed extensive legal research and drafted memoranda analyzing personal injury negligence and criminal statutes
• Drafted and e-filed persuasive negligence petitions and pretrial motions arguing case facts and nuances of the law to achieve
  early case dismissals, no-fault judgements, and advantageous settlements
• Prepared criminal pretrial intervention materials, statements of non-prosecution affidavits, and subpoenas

UHLC Mediation Clinic, Student Attorney, Houston, Texas May 2020 – August 2020

• Successfully completed the UHLC 40-hour Basic Medication Training
• Virtually assisted attorneys in reaching settlement agreement in a landlord tenant dispute (Houston Volunteer Lawyers / BBB)

Rodney Jones & Associates Law Group, Law Clerk, Houston, Texas January 2020 – January 2021

• Researched and analyzed applicable portions of the Texas Transportation Code regarding auto collision negligence
• Drafted client demand letters and negligence, wrongful death, and premises liability petitions, requests for disclosures,
  interrogatories, requests for production, requests for admissions, motions to compel, and motions to strike
• Earned Spring promotion for superior motion drafting and for producing quality work product

League City Attorney’s Office, Law Clerk, League City, Texas August 2019 – December 2019

• Compiled legal research memoranda for the City Attorney prior to city council meetings
• Briefed City Attorney on FAA Regulations regarding drone use by police and the enforceability of municipal drainage fees

Judge Fredericka Phillips, 61st Civil Court, Harris County, Judicial Clerk, Houston, Texas July 2019 – August 2019

• Researched and analyzed caselaw regarding traditional and no-evidence summary judgment
• Reviewed court briefs and other legal documents in preparation for court observances

Missouri City Attorney’s Office, Law Clerk, Missouri City, Texas May 2019 – June 2019

• Drafted Ordinance No. 0-19-09 establishing temporary summer school speed limits for local elementary schools
• Completed research presentation regarding the installation of small cell wireless facilities in the general right of way

Interests

• Intermediate proficiency level in Spanish
• Create unique and appetizing comfort food style dishes (Spaghetti Bolognese, Creole gumbo, and spinach and artichoke dip)
• Performed at Carnegie Hall as a classical baritone student of the Houston Vivaldi Music Academy