Patrick Hatch

This month, CUA shines our spotlight on Patrick Hatch, B.A. 1999, a graduate of The Catholic University of America and Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law. We first learned of Patrick's work as a pro bono attorney in New York State and the District of Columbia thanks to an e-mail from his old classmate Timothy Keator, B.A. 1999. In his fellow alumnus' estimation, Patrick was a perfect candidate for spotlight honors.

"Patrick is one of the most honest and generous people I know," says Timothy. "His pro bono work has helped numerous people who would have otherwise been at the mercy of the court. His work with various immigration organizations through the Catholic Church has proven to be both rewarding and appreciated by his community."

During law school, Patrick mastered the craft of immigration litigation by writing successful briefs for appeals to the Board of Immigration Appeals and the United States Court of Appeals for the second, third, fourth, eighth, and ninth circuits while at the Yerman Group in New York City. At Cardozo, he served as a student contributor for and was published in the New York Real Estate Law Reporter. Upon graduation, Patrick worked as an Associate at Akst & Akst, a premier full-service immigration firm in New York City. He handled all types of family-based and employment-based immigration cases.

Shortly after graduating, Patrick relocated to Raleigh, N.C. There, he began work as the lead attorney at Linnartz Law Office, where he trained in removal defense, among other areas of immigration cases, under board-certified immigration specialist Hans Christian Linnartz. When Mr. Linnartz chose to teach full time at Duke Law School, Patrick took over his caseload and began the Hatch Law Office.

Since 2007, Patrick's "passion to work with real people" has been translated into a career in U.S. immigration law. In doing so, he has successfully represented hundreds of foreign nationals and obtained positive immigration results, achieving for his clients grants of temporary status, permanent resident status, and U.S. citizenship. Patrick has had the pleasure of working with asylum seekers, temporary workers, students, artists, construction workers, teachers, professors, athletes, doctors, and scientists.

Patrick currently resides in Raleigh, with his wife, Leslie, and their two children, Jackson and Mary Ruth. In 2009, The New York State Bar Association awarded Patrick a certificate as Empire State Counsel, for his many hours of pro bono work.

"As a father Patrick also represents the very best — setting a tradition of both faith and morality within his family and, by association, his community," says Timothy. "I am nominating Patrick not only for the work he does in his community, or for the husband and father that he has become, but for the man he is and the generous spirit he embodies. Catholic University should be proud to have him as an alumnus."

Well said, Timothy. And well done, Patrick.