Christopher M. Patterson

Christopher M. Patterson is a distinguished criminal defense attorney with deep roots in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, where he was raised and graduated from J.P. McCaskey High School in 1970. He earned his BBA in Accounting, graduating with honors from the University of Notre Dame in 1974. Before pursuing a legal career, Chris worked in Chicago for a Big Eight accounting firm and became a Certified Public Accountant in Illinois. He graduated from the University of Baltimore School of Law in 1978, where he gained valuable experience working with the United States Department of Justice Tax Division in Washington, D.C.

Chris has been practicing law in Lancaster since his graduation, specializing in the defense of felony, misdemeanor, and traffic offenses for more than 33 years. He was admitted to the Pennsylvania Bar in 1978, the federal bar of the Eastern District of Pennsylvania in 1985, and the bar of the United States Supreme Court in 1986. His professional excellence is reflected in his A-V rating from Martindale-Hubbell.

Chris is qualified under Pennsylvania Rule of Criminal Procedure 801 to serve as Lead Counsel in Capital Murder cases, having defended clients successfully in homicide charges. His practice extends to state and Federal Courts across Pennsylvania and in Federal Courts in Florida, Vermont, and New Jersey. He is an active member of the Lancaster County and Pennsylvania Bar Associations, as well as the National and Pennsylvania Associations of Criminal Defense Lawyers.

Since 2001, Chris has contributed to the Pennsylvania Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (PACDL) as a Board of Directors member and has served as Eastern District Vice President. He frequently lectures for the Pennsylvania Bar Institute and PACDL, sharing his knowledge with both statewide and local audiences through the Lancaster County Bar Association.

Beyond his legal career, Chris served on the Manheim Township Board of School Directors from 1987 to 1995. He enjoys motorcycling, amateur radio, and maintaining a fruit orchard in his leisure time.