Bio
The Problem-Solving Professor
Omaha Of Counsel Attorney
Patrick Borchers serves in an of counsel role for Goosmann Law Firm. He is currently a law professor for Creighton University where he also served as the eighth Dean of Creighton Law School from 1999 to 2007 and then as Creighton’s Vice-President for Academic Affairs from 2007 to 2013.
Patrick is an internationally recognized scholar in private international law, federal courts law, and international arbitration. His work with Goosman Law Firm focuses on federal courts, complex civil litigation, and alternative dispute resolution.
He is an elected member of the American Law Institute and the International Academy of Comparative Law. Notably, Patrick was the Principal Investigator on a study funded by the United States Agency for International Development to study resolution of claims between Cuba and the United States.
Patrick received his Juris Doctor from University of California, Davis where he was in the top two percent of his class. He received his Bachelor of Science degree in physics from the University of Notre Dame.
LICENSED IN: Nebraska, New York and California (currently inactive in California)
Patrick’s “Why”
With my over 35 years of experience of practicing law, teaching law, and consulting I enjoy helping clients solve complex problems. I have been recognized by foreign courts many times as an expert in private international law, and handled or consulted on many complex cases throughout my career.
Bar Admissions
- State: Nebraska, New York and California (currently inactive in California)
Memberships
- Bar Admissions and related: Nebraska, New York and California (inactive status since 1994) and some affiliated federal courts; Omaha Bar Association Executive Council (2001-2004); District of Nebraska Federal Practice Advisory Committee (2001-04); Nebraska Continuing Legal Education, Inc., Board member (1999-2001); American Inns of Court, Omaha Chapter (1999- present)
- Other: Co-Director, Albany-Tulane Summer School at McGill University (1997-99); AALS Sections on Conflicts (Executive Committee 1993-94, 1998-2000; Chair 1997, 2015); Federal Courts (Executive Committee 1991-92); Board of Editors, American Journal of Comparative Law; Board of Directors, American Society of Comparative Law (1992-1999)
Achievements
- Chair, Association of American Law Schools, Conflict of Laws Section (2015, 1997)
- Distinguished Administrator Service Award, Creighton University (2013)
- Recognized (with Judy Borchers and Mary Meyer) for Excellence in High School Mock Trial Coaching, Nebraska Bar Foundation (2007, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014)
Employment
Creighton University School of Law, Omaha, NE
Professor of Law (Lillis Family Distinguished Professor) and Adjunct Professor of Philosophy, 2015-present
- Courses: Civil Procedure, Conflict of Laws, Federal Courts and International Arbitration
Werner Institute for Negotiation and Dispute Resolution, Professor of Law and Adjunct Professor of Philosophy, 2013-15
- Law Courses: Civil Procedure, Federal Courts, Conflict of Laws Dispute Resolution Course: International Arbitration
Vice President for Academic Affairs, Professor of Law and Adjunct Professor of Philosophy, 2007-2013
- Law Courses: Federal Courts, Conflict of Laws Philosophy Course: Philosophy of Law
Dean and Professor, 1999-2007
- Courses: Civil Procedure, Conflict of Laws
Albany Law School of Union University, Albany, NY
Associate Dean for Academic Affairs, 1996-1999
Associate Dean for Student Affairs, 1993-1996
Assistant Professor of Law, 1990-93
Associate Professor of Law, 1993-95
Professor 1995-99
- Courses: Conflict of Laws, Administrative Law, Civil Procedure, Complex Federal Litigation, New York Administrative Law and Policy, Transnational Litigation, Int’l Commercial Arbitration
Hague (the Netherlands) Conference on Private International Law
Secrétaire rédacteur, Conférence de La Haye de Droit International Privé, June 1996
Downey, Brand, Seymour & Rohwer,Sacramento, California
Litigation Associate, 1987-90
Hon. Anthony M. Kennedy, United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit, Sacramento, California
Law Clerk, 1986-87
Downey, Brand, Seymour & Rohwer, Sacramento, California
Summer Associate, 1986
Paul, Hastings, Janofsky & Walker, Los Angeles, California
Summer Associate, 1985
University of California, Davis School of Law, Davis, California
Research Assistant for Professor Edward H. Rabin, Summer 1984
Community Involvement
- Commissioner (gubernatorial appointment), Nebraska Equal Opportunity Comm’n 2016-present
- Elected Douglas County, SID Board 498 (2009-present)
- Board Member, Skutt Catholic High School (2007-13)
- Co-Chair, Mayor Fahey’s Task Force on Public Safety (2006-07)
- Board Member, Catholic Charities of Omaha (2004-10)
- Board Member, Notre Dame Club of Omaha (2002-06)
- Leadership Omaha, Omaha Chamber of Commerce, Class 23 (2000-01)
- Volunteer tutor in science and mathematics, Boys Town (2002-2014) and Omaha Street School (2000-01)
- Town of Guilderland, NY, YMCA Task Force (1997)
- Coach, Skutt Catholic High School Mock Trial (2003-present); Omaha Parochial Athletic League Volleyball (2002-2003) and Soccer (2005-09); Pine Bush Little League, Guilderland, NY (1991-97, 1999); St. Madeleine Sophie Catholic Church (Guilderland, NY), Intra-Parish Basketball League (1993-96)
- Member, Advisory Council and Drafting Subcommittee, Youth Courts of the Capital District, Inc. (1993-94)