Mr. Patka’s practice ranges across a range of business disciplines in support of small business and large businesses and inpiduals. He represents clients in both transactional and trial matters relating to contract, general business, consumer and environmental disputes. He takes special pride in helping clients avoid litigation in the first place by advising them on forming corporations and limited liability companies and drafting secure contracts, leases and other business and consumer documents.
In supporting his clients, Mr. Patka has successfully addressed many unusual matters such as recovery of lost funds through arbitration for a client who was bilked by the unauthorized trading of his broker; assistance to inpiduals through formation of specialized limited liability companies to operate fishing boats; drafting of non-compete agreements; and helping obtain leases and environmental permits to build and operate a shrimp farm.
An important component of his practice is his experience in guiding clients through the maze of government regulations, and representing his clients in administrative hearings before various governmental agencies such as the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the Florida Departments of Professional Regulation, Transportation and Environmental Protection.
Mr. Patka is originally from the Iron Range of northern Minnesota, and received his undergraduate degree in microbiology and chemistry from the University of Minnesota. Two years in the Peace Corps in Malaysia were followed by teaching government at Florida International University in Miami, and work with the Environmental Protection Agency in Washington D.C. He holds a PhD in Public Administration from Syracuse University and obtained his Juris Doctorate from the Catholic University of America.
He began his law practice in Florida in 1998 with Holland & Knight, and ultimately become the environmental partner for the Tampa office. He is committed to the Tampa area, and is active in giving back to the community. He is past president of the board of directors of Florida West Coast Easter Seals, a former member of the board of the McClain Foundation, and a member of the South Tampa Chamber of Commerce.
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