Patrick Flanagan was born February 3, 1953 to Patrick and Janice Flanagan in Pittsburgh, PA. Both his parents attended Duquesne University. Patrick lived on several military bases while his father rose through the officer's ranks becoming a fighter pilot gunnery instructor before leaving the Air Force.

After leaving the Air Force, Patrick Sr. started his own aerospace firm before joining United Airlines. Patrick, Sr. was elected Chairman of United Air Line Pilots Association San Francisco Council before retiring in 1995. He joined the Washoe County Sheriff's Search and Rescue Team and became the Air Squadron Commander. He is the first and only Air Squadron Commander Emeritus for the Sheriff.

Janice Flanagan raised five children while continuing to be active in her community. She ran several small businesses in order to support the children's college education. After moving to Washoe County she became involved in the American Association of University Women becoming President of the Reno branch. She chaired the AAUW voter forums co-sponsored by the League of Women Voters and the AAUW and is active in the Democratic Party. She continues to be active in the community focusing on education for at-risk girls in the Washoe County Schools.

Patrick met and dated Caroline in high school where he was Captain of the Varsity Tennis team and she worked in the school library. Caroline is a graduate of Boston University. Patrick is a graduate of Duquesne University in Pittsburgh, PA. After graduation, Patrick and Caroline married and moved to San Diego where he attended law school at California Western School of Law. Upon graduation, Patrick and Caroline moved to Reno with their two children, Erin and Sean.

Caroline was active in their children's education volunteering for the school library and running the Girl Scouts. Caroline has worked in the medical field for 15 years. She is active in the Junior League of Reno’s many programs including Healthy Kids, Kid on the Block, and Graffiti Patrol programs. Caroline is Past President of the Junior League of Reno and remains active in the community.

Erin and Sean attended Reno High School before going to Duquesne University in Pittsburgh, PA. Erin graduated from Duquesne University with a Bachelor's Degree in Nursing in 2000. She is a trauma and ICU nurse currently at Washoe Medical Center. Sean graduated from Duquesne University with a business degree in 2003. He is with an international residential real estate development corporation in Brooklyn, New York.

Patrick's brother Stephen, a University of Nevada graduate, is a Lt. Colonel in the Hawaii Air National Guard as well as a captain for Northwest Airlines. Stephen and his wife Charlotte live with their three children in Hawaii. His sister Susan is retired Army and works as a secretary in Las Vegas. She is married with two daughters and three grandchildren. His brother, Kerry, a University of Nevada graduate, is a former electrical engineer now living and working in Las Vegas. Kerry's daughter is a recent graduate of McQueen High School. Patrick’s youngest brother, Andrew, a University of Nevada graduate, is the President of a software company outside of Philadelphia. Andrew, and his wife, Shelly, live with their two children in Bucks County, PA.

Patrick moved to Reno in 1978 and began working with the Washoe County Public Defender's Office in the appellate division. He passed the Bar in 1979 and rose to Chief Appellate Deputy practicing before the Nevada Supreme Court before accepting the position of Assistant Federal Public Defender in 1983. In that position, Patrick was responsible for all stages of federal practice and procedure from pre-trial, trial, appeals and habeas corpus proceedings. He has tried dozens of jury trials to a verdict involving federal and common law offenses. On April 20, 1987, he appeared before the United States Supreme Court in a death penalty habeas case which he won. He was also lead counsel in the nation's second-longest criminal trial which lasted 16 months.

Patrick has been active at Our Lady of Snows church serving as School Board President, Parish Council President, Cub Scout leader and a minister in the catechism and confirmation programs.

An active athlete, Patrick was President of the Reno Tennis Club and competed in USTA/NORCAL events in singles and doubles winning several tournaments. An advanced skier, he enjoyed downhill and cross-country skiing. He has competed in fencing and has a long-term interest in martial arts earning his 3rd degree black belt in Tae Kwon Do.

In 1989, Patrick left public practice for private practice, joining the Reno office of a large Las Vegas law firm as a litigator in state and federal court cases. He continued an active trial and appellate practice in civil, criminal and administrative law. Patrick became active in Bar activities becoming the Chapter President and then Chair of the Litigation Section of the Federal Bar Association. He rose through the boards of the Washoe County Bar Association to become President in 1999.

As President of the Washoe County Bar Association, Patrick delivers the keynote address at the Flag Day Ceremony honoring all living Washoe County District attorneys.

Patrick has been involved in promoting pro bono work by lawyers in Nevada.

As President of the Board of Washoe Legal Services, Patrick burns the mortgage on the Gabrielli Building with the help of Don Christensen and other members of the Board and staff.

He was the first Chair of the State Bar Access to Justice Committee instrumental in changing Supreme Court and Judicial canons to encourage more pro bono work for lawyers and judges. He was active in working on Supreme Court Rule 250, which set the standards for the performance of counsel in death penalty cases.

He was appointed by Chief Judge Lloyd George to chair the committee which eventually established an early neutral evaluation program for employment discrimination cases which lead to a 60% reduction in the court's caseload and early resolution of the cases outside of lengthy and expensive litigation.

On September 13, 2001, Patrick was in a bicycle accident which left him paralyzed as a quadriplegic. Immediately upon his release from Craig Rehabilitation Hospital, Patrick went back into the gym and began training again.

In June 2003, before 5,000 people in Santa Clara University Gym, Patrick, while in his wheelchair, tested and was awarded his 3rd Degree Black Belt.

In June 2003, Patrick was elected President of the State Bar of Nevada where he was instrumental in establishing a permanent office in Northern Nevada.

Chief Nevada Supreme Court Justice Deborah Agosti swears in Patrick
as President of the State Bar of Nevada.

State Bar President Patrick Flanagan with members of the
Nevada Supreme Court, Board of Bar Governors and State Bar staff.

After delivering the commencement speech to law school graduates, Patrick is awarded an honorary Doctor of Laws by Dean Steven Smith of California Western School of Law.

In 2003, Patrick was asked by the Nevada Legislature to represent it in the federal courts in the Guinn v. Legislature case. Patrick agreed to represent the Legislature pro bono and was successful in keeping the federal courts from intervening in the state case.

He continues to take court appointments in death penalty cases in state and federal courts and continues to contribute his time in the "Lawyer in the Library" pro-bono program.

After 27 years of public and private practice with extensive trial and appellate experience in civil, criminal and administrative law, Patrick is seeking the position of District Court Judge in Department 7. His commitment to access to justice, his public service and his demonstrated leadership in improving the administration of justice in Washoe County makes him the most qualified candidate for Washoe District Court Judge.

Last year, Patrick and Caroline celebrated their 30th wedding anniversary. Patrick considers himself to be “The Luckiest Guy Alive.”

Patrick, his family and friends appreciate your support.