SUMMARY
Patrick A. Craig is a trial attorney at the firm’s Orange office. Mr. Craig’s practice focuses on professional liability defense, including the defense of real estate brokers and salespersons, architects and engineers, insurance brokers, escrow companies, and appraisers, as well as the defense of homeowner associations and their board members. r. Craig holds a real estate broker license issued by the California Department of Real Estate, and was formerly Assistant General Counsel for a large international design firm. During his career, Mr. Craig has also successfully represented some of the top homebuilders in the United States, and has extensive experience with the California Right to Repair Act (commonly referred to as “SB 800”).
Mr. Craig has successfully defended clients in jury and bench trial in Superior Court, as well as arbitrations. Mr. Craig has further assisted countless clients with resolving matters through pretrial motions, and negotiated settlements.
EXPERIENCE
Defense Verdict in Real Estate Broker Bench Trial: In June 2026, Mr. Craig obtained a defense verdict following a bench trial in Los Angeles County Superior Court. Mr. successfully defended a real estate broker and agent accused of professional negligence and negligent misrepresentation related to a commercial leasing transaction. Mr. Craig’s clients were awarded their expert costs after making a pretrial statutory offer to compromise that was rejected by the building owner.
Summary Judgment in Design Lien Matter: In May 2025, Mr. Craig obtained summary judgment in a design professional lien matter brought by an integrated design firm that was unpaid for more than $300,000 in fees. The Santa Clara County Superior Court ordered the sale of the subject property, and the proceeds used to satisfy the judgment in favor of Mr. Craig’s client.
Full Defense Award in Arbitration: In March 2020, Mr. Craig obtained a full defense award following an arbitration involving claims by a home purchaser against the listing real estate salesperson. The home purchaser alleged that evidence of cigarette smoking at the property was concealed by the listing salesperson during the escrow period. The arbitrator ruled that there was no evidence of fraudulent conduct by the real estate salesperson, and that the salesperson met or exceeded the standard of care in all respects. Mr. Craig’s client was awarded expert and arbitration costs.
Granted Motion for Nonsuit: In February 2020, Mr. Craig represented a real estate broker and salesperson in a jury trial in Orange County Superior Court. A home purchaser alleged that Mr. Craig’s clients participated in the “flip” of a home, and failed to adequately disclose the extent of the renovations. The home purchaser’s pretrial settlement demand was over $1 million. After several days of trial, the Court granted a motion for nonsuit in favor of Mr. Craig’s clients, which devastated the home purchaser’s case, and resulted in a favorable settlement shortly thereafter.
Favorable Settlement during Arbitration: In September 2015, Mr. Craig defended a homebuilder in an arbitration filed by multiple homeowners, who were represented by one of the most well-respected construction defect plaintiff firms in the United States. Plaintiffs alleged violations of numerous SB 800 building standards by Mr. Craig’s client, and made a multimillion dollar settlement demand. After four days of arbitration, which demonstrated that Plaintiffs’ claims were vastly overstated, the case settled for approximately five percent of Plaintiffs’ pretrial demand.
PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS
California Real Estate Broker License