How much does it cost to hire Patrick for a business case?

Cost depends on the type of matter, the fee model (contingency, flat, hourly), and how contested the case becomes. Patrick walks through the likely range during the consult so there are no surprises.

Does Patrick offer a free consultation?

Patrick charges for the initial consult; that fee is credited toward representation if you retain Patrick's office. Some business attorneys offer free consults — check Patrick's current terms during booking.

How long do business cases in Texas typically take?

Simple business matters can wrap in a few weeks; disputed cases can run 6–18 months from intake to resolution, longer if the matter goes to trial. Patrick gives a realistic estimate for your facts at the consult — vague answers here are a red flag.

Can Patrick take my case if I'm outside Rockwall?

Patrick is licensed in Texas. Matters governed by Texas law are the natural fit. Out-of-state matters are handled case-by-case, sometimes with local co-counsel. Ask during intake — Patrick will tell you if the case is a fit or refer you to someone closer to your court.

What should I bring to my first meeting with Patrick?

Bring every document that touches the dispute: contracts, correspondence, police or medical reports, filed pleadings, invoices, photographs, insurance letters. Also bring a written timeline of what happened, in your own words. Patrick will filter what matters — over-preparing at intake is always cheaper than needing a second meeting.

Is Patrick accepting new business clients right now?

Patrick's intake status shifts week to week. Submit the form; the office will confirm availability or refer the matter out.

Patrick Short, Business Attorney in Rockwall

Quick answer

Patrick Short is a law firm of patrick short based in Rockwall, TX. The practice focuses on Business, Car Accidents, and Criminal Defense. Patrick has over 42 years of legal experience. Currently practicing at Law Firm of Patrick Short. Rated 5.0 out of 5 from 11 client reviews.

Based in: Rockwall, TX
Experience: over 42 years
Known for: Business · Car Accidents · Criminal Defense

Handles Business, Car Accidents, and Criminal Defense matters from Rockwall, TX.
Over 42 years of practice as a licensed attorney.
Recognized with Peer Reviewed.

Areas of practice

Legal matters Patrick takes on

Patrick concentrates on business, car accidents, criminal defense, dog bites, and drug crimes. Each area below outlines the kind of case Patrick handles, typical outcomes to expect, and how the intake process starts.

Business cases in Rockwall, Texas

Patrick takes business matters in Rockwall, Texas. Typical engagements include intake calls to scope the issue, review of any records or filings you already have, and a written strategy memo before Patrick agrees to represent you.

Car Accidents cases in Rockwall, Texas

Patrick takes car accidents matters in Rockwall, Texas. Typical engagements include intake calls to scope the issue, review of any records or filings you already have, and a written strategy memo before Patrick agrees to represent you.

Criminal Defense cases in Rockwall, Texas

Patrick takes criminal defense matters in Rockwall, Texas. Typical engagements include intake calls to scope the issue, review of any records or filings you already have, and a written strategy memo before Patrick agrees to represent you.

Dog Bites cases in Rockwall, Texas

Patrick takes dog bites matters in Rockwall, Texas. Typical engagements include intake calls to scope the issue, review of any records or filings you already have, and a written strategy memo before Patrick agrees to represent you.

Drug Crimes cases in Rockwall, Texas

Patrick takes drug crimes matters in Rockwall, Texas. Typical engagements include intake calls to scope the issue, review of any records or filings you already have, and a written strategy memo before Patrick agrees to represent you.

Biography

Meet Patrick Short — business lawyer in Rockwall

Patrick Short is a law firm of patrick short based in Rockwall, TX. The practice focuses on Business, Car Accidents, and Criminal Defense. Patrick has over 42 years of legal experience. Currently practicing at Law Firm of Patrick Short. Rated 5.0 out of 5 from 11 client reviews.

Patrick Short is a trial lawyer based in Rockwall County, Texas, the county east of Dallas County with over 39 years of experience representing clients in East and North Texas in personal injury, wrongful death, criminal defense, and selected civil litigation matters. Patrick is Board Certified in Criminal Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization and in Criminal Trial Advocacy by the National Board of Trial Advocacy. He is also Board Certified in Personal Injury Trial Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization. Patrick is one of six lawyers in the State of Texas that are double Board Certified by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization in both Personal Injury Trial Law and Criminal Law.Patrick has been selected as a Texas Super Lawyer every year since 2006 in addition to his invitation-only selection of the American Trial Lawyers Association’s Top 100 Trial Lawyers in 2009 and 2011. He has been selected to the invitation-only Best Attorneys of America.Patrick is admitted to practice law before the U.S. Supreme Court, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit, and the U.S. District Court for the Northern and Eastern Districts of Texas, as well as Texas state courts. He earned his J.D. (Juris Doctorate) from California Western Law School in 1982 and his B.A. in psychology from Baylor University in 1979. He graduated from the Gerry Spence Trial Lawyers College in Dubois, Wyoming in July 2009.Patrick served four two-year terms (2009-2017) on the McLendon-Chisholm City Council, Place 3, in Rockwall County, Texas. A Spanish-speaker, he served as interim Hispanic pastor from 2004 to 2007 at Lake Pointe Church, where he and his wife have remained members since 1985. Prior to starting his own law firm, Patrick served as the Assistant Criminal District Attorney in Rockwall County, Texas from 1985 to 1986. He is a member of many associations, including: Texas Trial Lawyers Association, Texas Criminal Defense Lawyers Association, the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, the Association of Trial Lawyers of America, The National Trial Lawyers, the Christian Legal Society, the Christian Trial Lawyers Association, the Rockwall County Bar Association, Rockwall County Criminal Defense Lawyers Association, Collin County Criminal Defense Lawyers Association, the Dallas County Bar, and the Texas Bar Association.Patrick represents injured persons in personal injury and wrongful death claims in the North Texas and East Texas area and throughout the entire state of Texas. Defense of citizens accused, investigated or arrested for criminal law violations in Texas counties, such as: Rockwall, Dallas, Collin, Denton, Kaufman, Hopkins, Hunt, Tarrant, Grayson, Ellis and all counties in Texas. Patrick believes in the right to trial by jury.

Texas Super Lawyer, every year since 2006 to present.

Top 100 Trial Lawyers, 2009, 2011

American Trial Lawyers Association Top 100 Trial Lawyers.

Best Attorneys of America.

Board Certified Personal Injury Trial Law, by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization in Board Certified by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization in Criminal Law,

Board Certified by the National Board of Trial Advocacy in Criminal Law.

In 2019 of over 100,000 active attorneys in Texas, there were 7,450 attorneys board certified in one (1) of the twenty-five (25) specialized areas of law in Texas. Patrick Short is one (1) of five (5) lawyers currently in Texas who are Board Certified by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization in Personal Injury Trial Law and Criminal Law. Less than 1.5% of active lawyers in Texas are Board Certified in Personal Injury Trial Law and less that 1% is Board Certified in Criminal Law.

Patrick believes in the right to trial by jury as afforded to all citizens under the 6th and 7th Amendments to the United States Constitution.

Working with Patrick on a business matter

Patrick Short is a trial lawyer based in Rockwall County, Texas, the county east of Dallas County with over 39 years of experience representing clients in East and North Texas in personal injury, wrongful death, criminal defense, and selected civil litigation matters. Patrick is Board Certified in Criminal Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization and in Criminal Trial Advocacy by the…

Who Patrick represents

Patrick reviews new inquiries case-by-case for business, car accidents, and criminal defense matters in Rockwall and the surrounding Texas area.

Credentials

Education, bar admissions, and languages

California Western School of Law
J.D. · 1982
Baylor University
B.A. · 1979

Jurisdictions

Patrick's state bar admissions

Texas
1984 · ACTIVE

Patrick studied at J.D. in California Western School of Law and B.A. in Baylor University.

Law school and academic background

Patrick completed J.D. in California Western School of Law and B.A. in Baylor University. Formal legal training is one signal of substantive knowledge — the day-to-day practice Patrick runs in Texas is where that training gets applied to real client questions.

Recognition

Recognition and thought leadership

Patrick has received 1 formal recognition from bar associations, industry bodies, and peer-review services.

Peer Reviewed

Legal awards and honors

Peer Reviewed.

Locations

Patrick Short's office in Rockwall

Patrick's primary office is at The Short Professional Building, 603 White Hills Drive, Suite A, Rockwall, TX, 75087. In-person meetings are by appointment; a phone intake usually comes first.

Main office

Law Firm of Patrick Short

The Short Professional Building, 603 White Hills Drive, Suite A

Rockwall, TX 75087

Open in Google Maps

Client feedback

Client reviews of Patrick Short — 5.0/5 rating from 11 verified client reviews

Every review below is from a verified client of Patrick. Reviews cover communication, case outcome, and value — the three signals that matter most when comparing business attorneys in Rockwall.

5.0

11 client reviews

Client ratings are sourced from public records and editorial research. Reviews on LawyersListed are accepted from verified clients once Patrick Short claims this profile.

Read all reviews

Hiring guide

How to hire Patrick Short — what to expect in your first consultation

Working with a new business attorney should feel structured. Here's how the first two conversations with Patrick usually go, from the moment you request a consult to the day representation begins.

Consultation formats and pricing

Patrick charges for the initial consult. That fee is credited toward representation if you retain Patrick's office.

What to bring to your first meeting

Bring any documents you already have — police reports, medical records, filed pleadings, correspondence from an insurer, a copy of the contract at issue. If you're not sure, err on the side of bringing everything; Patrick will tell you what matters and what doesn't.

Questions to ask a business attorney in Rockwall, Texas

A short list to run through before you commit: How many business matters have you handled in the last year? What's your fee structure? Who else in the office will work on this? What's your realistic estimate of timeline and range of outcomes? How do I reach you between meetings?

Fees & payment

Fees, payment methods, and consultation options for Patrick

Patrick discusses fees during intake so the arrangement fits the matter. Contingency, hourly, and flat-fee options are all common in business practice — ask which fits.

Hourly rates, contingency fees, and flat-fee options

Every business matter is priced differently. Simple document review might be a flat fee. Injury litigation is often contingency. Complex commercial disputes usually run hourly with a retainer. Patrick confirms the model in the engagement letter before any work starts.

Payment methods and payment plans

Patrick's office accepts standard payment methods. Ask about payment plans if the retainer is a stretch — many business practices work with clients on structured schedules.

Frequently asked

Frequently asked questions about Patrick Short

How much does it cost to hire Patrick for a business case?
Cost depends on the type of matter, the fee model (contingency, flat, hourly), and how contested the case becomes. Patrick walks through the likely range during the consult so there are no surprises.
Does Patrick offer a free consultation?
Patrick charges for the initial consult; that fee is credited toward representation if you retain Patrick's office. Some business attorneys offer free consults — check Patrick's current terms during booking.
How long do business cases in Texas typically take?
Simple business matters can wrap in a few weeks; disputed cases can run 6–18 months from intake to resolution, longer if the matter goes to trial. Patrick gives a realistic estimate for your facts at the consult — vague answers here are a red flag.
Can Patrick take my case if I'm outside Rockwall?
Patrick is licensed in Texas. Matters governed by Texas law are the natural fit. Out-of-state matters are handled case-by-case, sometimes with local co-counsel. Ask during intake — Patrick will tell you if the case is a fit or refer you to someone closer to your court.
What should I bring to my first meeting with Patrick?
Bring every document that touches the dispute: contracts, correspondence, police or medical reports, filed pleadings, invoices, photographs, insurance letters. Also bring a written timeline of what happened, in your own words. Patrick will filter what matters — over-preparing at intake is always cheaper than needing a second meeting.
Is Patrick accepting new business clients right now?
Patrick's intake status shifts week to week. Submit the form; the office will confirm availability or refer the matter out.

Community Q&A

Real questions asked by Texas residents in the last few months, answered by business attorneys like Patrick Short. Each link opens the full answer thread.

What Are The Penalties For Non-Compliance With Labor Laws In Texas?
My business in Houston just received a notice for a labor law violation regarding employee overtime pay. I’m worried about the potential penalties, including fines or back pay. Wha
1 verified answer · Business · Texas
What Are The Consequences Of Not Complying With Business Licenses In South Carolina?
I launched a catering business in Greenville, South Carolina, without realizing I needed specific licenses. I could face fines or even business closure if I'm not compliant. What a
1 verified answer · Business · South Carolina
What Are The Steps To Dissolve My Corporation In California?
My partnership decided to dissolve our corporation in California due to lack of business. We filed all taxes but didn't know about the formal steps to dissolve it legally. We still
1 verified answer · Business · California
What Are The Filing Requirements For A DBA In Nevada?
I want to operate my online business under a different name in Las Vegas, Nevada, but I’m not sure what the filing requirements are for a DBA (Doing Business As). What do I need to
1 verified answer · Business · Nevada
Can I Franchise My Business Without Legal Help In Minnesota?
I’ve been running a successful coffee shop in Minneapolis, Minnesota, and I want to franchise it. I’m not sure if I can handle the legal side of franchising on my own. Is it advisa
1 verified answer · Business · Minnesota
Can My Business Be Impacted By A Personal Lawsuit Against Me In Pennsylvania?
I’m facing a personal lawsuit in Philadelphia, and I’m concerned about the potential impact on my small business. My business and personal finances are intertwined. Can my business
1 verified answer · Business · Pennsylvania

Areas served

Business attorneys serving Rockwall, Houston and Dallas in Texas

Patrick handles business matters throughout Texas. Each city below is a direct link into the search page for verified business attorneys in that community.

Patrick Short, Business Attorney in Rockwall, Texas

Quick answer