Knowledge. Experience. Commitment.

Call Patrick for a free consultation

Patrick Kitchin

Results-Driven Representation

Patrick Kitchin is a leading expert in wage and hour law in California.  For more than 20 years, he and his team have successfully prosecuted and resolved numerous cases, including claims for misclassification, unpaid minimum and overtime wages, meal and rest period violations and outright wage theft.

With more than 25 years of legal experience, Patrick Kitchin is a seasoned litigator and master negotiator.  His reputation for hard work and high ethical standards places him at the pinnacle of employment lawyers in California.

Patrick is rated “AV-Preeminent” by Martindale-Hubbell based on recommendations from colleagues he has worked with and against in court.  An “AV” rating is the highest awarded to attorneys in the United States and it is based on evaluations of legal knowledge, analytical capability, judgment, communication and legal experience.  As of July 2019, Patrick is rated 4.8 out of 5 on Avvo and has only five-start ratings on Yelp.

A Personal Note and a True Story

When I was at the University of Michigan Law School, one of our professors asked the class, who intends to join a big defense firm after graduation?  The majority of my classmates raised their hands.  The professor then asked, how many of you intend to work for a governmental agency after you graduate?” A number of other students raised their hands.  She then asked, how many of you hope to become a judge some day?  One or two hands went up.  Finally, she asked, “How many of you intend to become a plaintiffs’ attorney?”  Out of a class of around 50 students, only my hand went up.

The professor paused for a moment, looked around the class then dramatically pointed at me.  I’m pretty sure my heart skipped a beat or two.  After a moment,  almost in a whisper, she said,, “He’s the only one here with guts!”  It was one of my proudest days during my three years at Michigan.

Since then I have often thought about  what it means to have “guts” as a lawyer.  I think the professor was using “guts” to mean more than rude, overly-aggressive litigation tactics we often see.  Such tactics are never successful.  For me, “guts” is a shorthand for courage, compassion, commitment and intelligence in the practice of law.  And, that is what sets Kitchin Legal apart in this ever-more-crowded field of law:  Guts. 

Patrick is an accomplished jazz  drummer.  His current projects include the Clifton Street Regulars and the Jason Whiting Trio.  Both groups  regularly play events around the Bay Area  He also is a part time student at the Berkeley Jazz School.

Patrick Kitchen

Patrick Kitchin

Education

  • The University of Michigan Law School, J.D.
  • Michigan State University, B.S., forensic anthropology

Areas of Practice

  • Employment Law
  • Business Law
  • Personal Injury Law
  • Employment and Consumer Class Actions

Admitted to Practice

  • California Supreme Court
  • U.S. District Court, Northern District of California
  • U.S. District Court, Eastern District of California
  • U.S. District Court, Southern District of California

Associations

  • State Bar of California
  • Alameda County Bar Association
  • Bar Association of San Francisco