Patrick W. Emery, Class of ’74

Patrick W. Emery ’74 is Of Counsel at Abbey, Weitzenberg, Warren & Emery in Santa Rosa, California. As a trial lawyer in Sonoma County for over 35 years, Pat has received recognition as a Super Lawyer of Northern California, one of the Best Lawyers in America, an elected member of the American Board of Trial Advocates, and a recipient of the Sonoma County Bar Association’s Award for Careers of Distinction. He was elected a fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers in 2009, placing him among only one percent of all trial lawyers in the United States and Canada, and giving him opportunities to hobnob with U.S. Supreme Court Justices.

Over his career, Pat has tried nearly every kind of case and has won some of Sonoma County’s highest verdicts and settlements, including against major national corporations. He has served as President of the Sonoma County Bar Association, chaired the Sonoma County Civil Service Commission, presided over cases as a judge pro tem of the Sonoma County Superior Court, and often served as an agreed arbitrator and mediator. He has taught trial practice at Empire College of Law in Santa Rosa and at Stanford Law School’s Trial Advocacy Workshop, and he has taught agriculture law at Santa Rosa Junior College.

Pat has always made time for his dedication to agriculture and, particularly, to introducing youth to agriculture. He served on the Sonoma County Fair Board and mentored kids showing their animals. He has devoted his time to 4-H, Future Farmers of America (FFA), agriculture education, and Santa Rosa Junior College. He values his own teenage experience raising market beef and a flock of sheep with FFA. Now he continues to grow olives and make organic olive oil. He does his own pruning, mowing, picking, and bottling, giving the olive oil to friends and food pantries.

Why did you choose to attend King Hall, and what is your favorite King Hall memory?

I took a couple of years away from school after graduating from college. When I decided to go to law school, I did not want to return to the East Coast, and I did not want to live in a big city. So, Davis was an obvious choice. The facilities were new, the faculty was loaded with eager young minds, and the students were engaging and fun. Unlike many who complain about the rigors of law school, I had a blast. My favorite law school memories can’t be published in a family magazine.

How did you begin your law career?

When we graduated in 1974, three of us moved to Santa Rosa and started a firm. It wasn’t the smartest thing we ever did, and the pickings were slim. We didn’t know anybody, and we didn’t know much law, but we were determined not to sit in some firm’s back room, doing grunt work for years. Being young and cocky created interesting opportunities. I tried three cases in my first year of practice. My first jury trial, eight months after getting my license, was a six count felony. 

After a couple of years, the three of us went separate ways, but we have remained very close friends. All three of us ended up being the managing partner of a very good firm, and we have each received a good deal of recognition. 

How have you stayed involved with King Hall?

I’ve donated to King Hall because I received a great education, basically for free, and that option is not in the cards for students entering now. Student debt limits career options and crushes the excitement of a new career. If I can help a student avoid that, I’m in.

I love UC Davis. I have a daughter and granddaughter who graduated there, so we’re a solid Aggie family.

You’ve done a lot of work with youth in 4-H and the Sonoma County Fair. Why do you find that rewarding?

I grew up on a farm, and agriculture education has been a passion my entire life. My high school ag teachers kept me out of trouble. The hands-on experience of young teenagers working closely with responsible adults on ag projects can be life altering. I experienced that in my life, and I’ve seen it many times as an adult. Kids need guidance from people other than parents during those formative years, and they need interests which take them out of their own heads. I am the president of an endowed foundation devoted to supporting ag education, and a scholarship in the Natural Resources and Agriculture Department of Santa Rosa Junior College is named for me. I’m proud of that.

How have you been able to incorporate your passion for agriculture into your legal career?

I was able to parlay my interest in agriculture into interesting legal work. I have represented winemakers, vineyardists, dairymen, nurserymen and many others in a wide range of litigation. I also represented member banks of the federal Farm Credit System for many years.

Of what are you proudest?

Professionally, I’m most proud of being elected to the American College of Trial Lawyers. I was inducted in a ceremony In Boston in 2009 and am one of only three ACTL Fellows in Sonoma County.

Do you have any advice for current law students?

I have tried a lot of cases, worked in many parts of the country, and had a lot of fun. My advice to law students is to fight for the opportunity to do what you love. If you’re not enjoying what you’re doing, get out of it. Make a change. Take a chance. It’s a hard career, and you have to make it fun.