Patrick J. Cleary

Patrick Cleary defends manufacturers in high-exposure product liability litigation, with substantial trial experience in cases involving automobiles and devices. He has represented major automotive and device manufacturers in state and federal courts in South Carolina, North Carolina and across the country. His work includes defending automobile companies in unintended acceleration and Takata airbag matters, as well as representing clients in first-of-its-kind trials involving advanced vehicle technologies.

Patrick also helps clients respond to mass tort and class action matters, including by developing approaches to mass tort resolution. He prepares strategies for novel defect claims and has defended clients in consumer protection actions brought by state Attorneys General. A chemical engineering graduate, Patrick draws on his understanding of how products are designed and operate when advising clients about emerging technologies and presenting technical information in litigation.

Beyond his practice, Patrick is active on several South Carolina Bar committees and provides pro bono tax assistance through the Bar’s Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program. He serves on the Foundation Board of the South Carolina Governor’s School for Science and Mathematics, including as its board president. He has also chaired the Leadership Columbia Advisory Board and served as president of Historic Columbia’s Palladium young professionals group.

• University of North Carolina School of Law, J.D., 2009

  with honors

  J. Nelson Young Scholarship

  Managing Editor, NC Journal of Law and Technology

• North Carolina State University, B.S., 2006

  summa cum laude

  Senior Class President

  Golden Chain Society (University-wide honor)

  Phi Kappa Phi

Bar Admissions

• South Carolina, 2011
• North Carolina, 2009

Court Admissions

• U.S. Court of Appeals, Fourth Circuit
• U.S. District Court, Eastern District of North Carolina
• U.S. District Court, Middle District of North Carolina
• U.S. District Court, Western District of North Carolina
• U.S. District Court, District of South Carolina

• South Carolina Bar Young Lawyers Division
  —President's Award, 2019 – 2020
• South Carolina Bar
  —Leadership Academy, 2016
• Columbia Chamber
  —Leadership Columbia, 2015

• American Bar Association
• North Carolina Association of Defense Attorneys
• South Carolina Bar Association
  —Judicial Qualifications Committee
  —Diversity Committee
• Historic Columbia
  —Palladium Society, President, 2020 – 2023 
• Leadership Columbia Alumni Board
  —President, 2020 – 2021
• South Carolina Governor’s School for Science and Mathematics
  —President, 2024 – 2025

• "You Didn't Write the Brief — So Why Are You Getting Sanctioned? The New AI Risk You Need to Be Aware of and Steps You Can Take to Address This Risk," Co-Author, For the Defense, June 2026
• “South Carolina’s 2025 Tort and Liquor Liability Reform Bill – Virtue Tempered by Cloudiness,” Co-Author, FOCUS ACC South Carolina Newsletter, December 2025
• "Medical Products to Combat the COVID-19 Crisis: Potential Defenses to Product Liability Claims," Co-Author, DRI In-House Defense Quarterly, Summer 2020
• "Sued for Sanitizer? New FDA Guidance to Non-Drug Manufacturers for Alcohol-Based Hand Sanitizers to Combat COVID-19," Co-Author, DRI In-House Defense Quarterly, September 2020
• "Medical Products to Combat the COVID-19 Crisis: Products Liability Issues," Co-Author, Legal Alert, April 2020
• "New FDA Guidance to Non-Drug Manufacturers for Alcohol-Based Hand Sanitizers to Combat COVID-19," Co-Author, Legal Alert, April 2020
• "Driving is Non-Delegable Duty = Vehicle Technologies Do Not Change North Carolina Product Liability Law," North Carolina Association of Defense Attorneys, The Resource, Spring 2017