Patrick H. Hicks

phicks@littler.com
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Patrick is the founding shareholder of Littler’s Nevada offices. He has litigated more than 500 employment lawsuits to conclusion. A highly-experienced trial attorney, he has successfully defended scores of jury trials and has handled numerous arbitrations and mediations. Companies frequently call upon Patrick to try difficult cases even when handled by other firms. Patrick regularly appears in state and federal courts and represents clients before the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and various other states' administrative agencies representing employers in:

  • Wrongful termination
  • Employment discrimination and harassment
  • Breach of contract litigation, noncompete and trade secrets 

Various organizations have regularly recognized Patrick as one of the nation’s best employment and trial attorneys. He has obtained defense verdicts in scores of jury trials involving discrimination on the basis of race, age, national origin and disability; breach of contract; and single and multi-plaintiff sexual harassment cases. A small sampling of his notable trial successes include:

  • A disability discrimination case with multiple claims resulting in a complete defense verdict following a one-week trial
  • A defamation case in which the plaintiff dismissed her case with prejudice without any compensation by the defendant following the cross-examination of the plaintiff
  • A national origin discrimination and defamation case in which the jury returned a unanimous verdict in favor of the defendant following a one-week trial
  • A case regarding intentional infliction of emotional distress, negligence and assault in which the plaintiff dismissed the case after the cross-examination of the plaintiff in exchange for a waiver of costs
  • A disability discrimination case resulting in a complete defense verdict
  • A sexual harassment and assault case which resulted in a complete defense verdict following a two-week jury trial

One of Littler's premier speakers, Patrick trains and speaks on a variety of timely employment topics of interest, including:

  • Documentation and discharge of employees
  • Harassment and discrimination
  • Employee handbooks and policies
  • Workplace investigations

Patrick has completed the Northwestern University Kellogg School of Management Leadership training. Active in firm management during his over 37 years with Littler, he chairs the EPLI Committee and has served on various boards and committees including but not limited to the Diversity Advisory Group, the Career Advocacy Program Committee, the Business Development Council Committee and Littler's Board of Directors. Patrick is the founding shareholder and former office managing shareholder of the Las Vegas and Reno offices, and former co-chair of the Hospitality Practice Group.

Credentials & Recognition

Speaking Engagements

Managing Crisis and Having Difficult Conversations

  • June 6, 2024
  • National Association of College Directors of Athletics, Las Vegas, NV

COVID-19 - Its Impact on Employment Litigation, How Best to Prepare Your Company, and What the Future of Litigation May Hold

  • September 14, 2021
  • Nevada Virtual Regional Employer Conference

The Pay Equity Wave Continues: What You Need to Know to Stay Afloat

  • September 12-13, 2018
  • Nevada Employer Conferences, Las Vegas and Reno

Additional Thought Leadership

Supreme Court Ruling Effectively Extends Time Period for Plaintiffs to File Disparate Impact Charges

  • September 2010
  • Casino Enterprise Management

Likeability: An Essential Element of Success In A Jury Trial

  • August 2010
  • Communiqué

A Charge by Any Other Name, Is Still a Charge: High Court Adopts Broad Definition in Age Cases

  • June 2008
  • Casino Enterprise Management

Survey of Recent EPLI Cases and Their Implications for the Defense of Employment Related Cases

  • March 2007
  • Communiqué
  • Deborah L. Westbrook

Effects in the Workplace of the Expansion of Nevada's New Smoking Restrictions

  • February 2007
  • Privacy & Data Security Law Journal, Vol. 2, No.3.
  • Matthew G. Laflin

Reasonable Dress and Grooming Requirements Survive Court Scrutiny

  • August 2006
  • Gaming Law Review
  • Deborah L. Westbrook

Books & Book Chapters

Inside the Minds: Labor and Employment Strategies

  • Aspatore Books
  • 2007

Let us know how we can help you navigate your particular workplace legal issues.