Michael C. Patton

Shareholder

Memphis
T: 901.577.2265
F: 901.577.0759

Michael C. Patton has significant experience in litigation involving commercial and residential construction and in commercial litigation involving mechanics' and materialmen's liens, property issues and title insurance issues, litigation for financial institutions involving both loan recovery/workouts and lender liability, as well as litigation involving general business disputes.

Professional Biography

Mr. Patton is in the Firm's Memphis office.

Successfully represented the Community Development Enterprises arm of a national lender (the CDE) as to a failed mixed retail and grocery store project in south Memphis involving a potential foreclosure, the resolution of property tax liens, a Chapter 11 proceeding with a court ordered sale of the project and payment of net proceeds to the CDE and a negotiated settlement of the general contractors claims against the CDE as to the distribution of loan proceeds during construction.
Successfully convinced plaintiffs' counsel to dismiss a wrongful foreclosure action against a bank in Shelby County, Tennessee, Chancery Court. A third party purchased the subject property at a foreclosure auction. When the new owner sought to evict the borrower's tenant, the borrower filed an action seeking an injunction in Chancery Court and asserted a number of meritless claims. After receiving a letter addressing the actual facts and the applicable law, counsel for the borrower voluntarily dismissed the action.

Member – American (Past Chair, Title Insurance Litigation Committee from 1999 – 2000, Trial, Tort and Insurance Practice Section; Construction Law Committee, Litigation Section), Tennessee and Memphis Bar Associations
Member – ABA Forum on the Construction Industry
Listed in The Best Lawyers in America^® for Banking and Finance Litigation (2018 – 2025); Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights/Insolvency and Reorganization Law (2020 – 2025); Commercial Litigation (2020 – 2025)
Selected to Mid-South Super Lawyers (2006, 2011 – 2024)

"Mechanics' Liens in Practice (Prime Contractor Rights) (TN)," Thomson Reuters Practical Law (March 2022)
"Mechanics' Liens in Practice (Remote Contractor Rights) (TN)," Thomson Reuters Practical Law (March 2022)
"Tips for Working With Your Lender in These Uncertain Financial Times" (April 6, 2020)
"Disclosure Duty: What Information Should Landlords Provide?," Commercial Investment Real Estate (March/April 2014)
"Overview of Mechanic's and Materialmen's Liens in Tennessee," Construction News Newsletter (January 2007)

"Banking and Financial Industry Trends for In-House Counsel," Baker Donelson CLE program (July 2019)
"Duty to Establish an Escrow Account for Retainage," 2018 Real Estate Law Conference for Tennessee Attorneys (October 2018)
"Landlord-Tenant and Cemetery Law," 2018 Real Estate Law Conference for Tennessee Attorneys (October 2018)
"Basics of Loan Documentation: Understanding Loan Documents and Practical Tips," presentation to portfolio managers and credit analysts from regional banks (November 2013)

38 Baker Donelson Attorneys Named to 2024 Mid-South Super Lawyers; 40 Named to Mid-South Rising Stars (November 22, 2024)
Baker Donelson Attorneys Recognized in The Best Lawyers in America® 2025 Listing (August 15, 2024)
44 Baker Donelson Attorneys Named to 2023 Mid-South Super Lawyers; 32 Named to Mid-South Rising Stars (November 28, 2023)
Baker Donelson Attorneys Recognized in The Best Lawyers in America^® 2024 Listing (August 17, 2023)
55 Baker Donelson Attorneys Named to 2022 Mid-South Super Lawyers; 30 Named to Mid-South Rising Stars (November 29, 2022)
Baker Donelson Attorneys Earn Recognition in The Best Lawyers in America® 2023 Listing (August 18, 2022)
61 Baker Donelson Attorneys Named to 2021 Mid-South Super Lawyers; 34 Named to Mid-South Rising Stars (November 30, 2021)
Baker Donelson Attorneys Earn Recognition in The Best Lawyers in America® 2022 Listing (August 19, 2021)
69 Baker Donelson Attorneys Named to 2020 Mid-South Super Lawyers; 38 Named to Mid-South Rising Stars (November 30, 2020)
Baker Donelson Top-Listed in the Nation in Six Practice Areas in The Best Lawyers in America^® 2021 Listing (August 20, 2020)

Practices

Industries

Education

University of Tennessee College of Law, J.D., 1986, with high honors
University of North Carolina, B.A., 1982

Admissions

Tennessee, 1986
U.S. District Court, Middle District of Tennessee, 1992
U.S. Court of Appeals, Eighth Circuit, 1989
U.S. District Court, Western District of Tennessee, 1987
U.S. Court of Appeals, Sixth Circuit, 1987

Featured Media

38 Baker Donelson Attorneys Named to 2024 Mid-South Super Lawyers; 40 Named to Mid-South Rising Stars

Press Release / November 22, 2024

Baker Donelson Attorneys Recognized in The Best Lawyers in America® 2025 Listing

Press Release / August 15, 2024

44 Baker Donelson Attorneys Named to 2023 Mid-South Super Lawyers; 32 Named to Mid-South Rising Stars

Press Release / November 28, 2023

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