I believe in our country’s dispute resolution systems. My passion lies in mastering those systems, thinking critically about the avenues of relief they offer, and operating strategically within them to obtain optimal outcomes for my clients. Keeping in mind each client’s distinct business, goals, and risks, I engineer strategies that meet the complexities of every case.

Experience

Patrick “Gus” Cochran is an associate at Ciresi Conlin, where his practice focuses on complex commercial and intellectual property litigation.  Gus’s casework spans state and federal courts across the country in cases commonly including allegations of misappropriation of trade secrets and proprietary business information or technology, breach of contract, fraud, and other business torts.  Additionally, Gus has lead counsel experience, managing all facets of litigation for businesses and individuals asserting claims of breach of contract, consumer fraud, violations of Minnesota’s Termination of Sales Representative Act, Minn. Stat. § 325E.37, and material nondisclosure in connection with real estate transactions.

Previous Experience

Prior to joining the firm, Gus completed a two-year clerkship with Judge Eric C. Tostrud of the U.S. District Court for the District of Minnesota.  Before that, Gus practiced in the business litigation group of an Am Law 50 law firm.

Education

Gus graduated salutatorian from Mitchell Hamline School of Law.  During law school, he clerked for the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Minnesota, logged more than 1,000 appearances in felony court as a certified student attorney for the Ramsey County Attorney’s Office, and externed for U.S. District Judge Susan Richard Nelson. Working with Legal Assistance to Minnesota Prisoners, Gus advanced the rights of indigent clients in a variety of civil lawsuits, and he assisted pro se parties with criminal expungements, eviction expungements, and marital dissolution as a volunteer with Southern Minnesota Regional Legal Services. Gus also served as Assistant Editor on the Mitchell Hamline Law Review and Policy Editor on the Law Journal of Public Policy & Practice. Before law school, Gus earned a B.A. in Criminal Justice from Loras College.

Bar Admissions

  • Minnesota
  • U.S. District Court, District of Minnesota
  • U.S. District Court, Western District of Wisconsin

Business Litigation

We take the same approach for any commercial litigation - from business to business disputes to high-profile, bet-the-company, and procedurally difficult cases that affect business success and vitality of international corporations, small businesses, or individual owners.

Our business litigation team

Selected Case Results

Defending leading relocation management services provider in federal lawsuit by a competitor seeking $55 million in damages and injunctive relief for trade secret misappropriation, breach of contract, tortious interference with existing and prospective customer relationships, and violations of Minnesota’s Deceptive Trade Practices Act in connection with client’s development of proprietary software.

Defending public health insurance company against claims of fraud, securities fraud, and breach of contract by shareholders in connection with acquisition of virtual healthcare company.  Successfully obtained dismissal of Minnesota suit on venue grounds and later obtained partial dismissal of majority of claims refiled in Delaware Superior Court.

Defended leading manufacturer of yearbooks, class rings, and school regalia in federal lawsuit by a competitor seeking “tens of millions of dollars” in damages and injunctive relief for claims of trade secret misappropriation, violations of Minnesota’s Deceptive Trade Practices Act, and tortious interference with the noncompete, non-solicitation, and confidentiality agreements of 21 independent sales representatives. Case resolved with a favorable mediated settlement near the completion of document discovery.

Lead counsel on behalf of sales representative company asserting claims against global manufacturer of water filtration products for violations of Minnesota’s Termination of Sales Representative Act, breach of contract, and tortious interference with contract.  Case resolved with favorable settlement in early stages of discovery.

Lead counsel on behalf of arbitration claimant asserting claims of fraud, consumer fraud, and material nondisclosure under Minn. Stat. § 513.57 in connection with real estate transaction.  Case resolved with pre-hearing settlement.

Provide outside general counsel to mid-stage tech and consumer startups, including related to deal-making, SaaS agreements, intellectual property, litigation risk, terms of use, and advertising.

Pro bono

Obtained summary judgment and permanent injunctive relief on behalf of plaintiff challenging Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension’s requirement that she register as a predatory offender. Court found BCA’s application of registration statute violated Minnesota’s statutory presumption against retroactive application of laws.

Experienced as lead counsel for tenants in rent escrow actions and criminal-expungement petitioners.

Recognition

Named to “Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch in America” for Commercial Litigation (2025 Edition)

Named an “Up & Coming Attorney,” Minnesota Lawyer (2024)

Harry A. Sieben Award, Federal Bar Association, Minnesota Chapter (2019)

North Star Lawyer, Minnesota State Bar Association (2019, 2020)

Community Service

Recent Community/Professional Service

Working Group Member (Trade Secrets), Sedona Conference

Member, Warren E. Burger Inn of Court

Member Representative, Twin Cities Diversity in Practice

Volunteer & Member of Curriculum Committee, Court Camp (FBA of Minnesota)

Articles

You’ve Been Served . . . or Have You?—Jaeger v. Palladium Holdings, LLC, 44 MITCHELL HAMLINE L. REV. 274 (2018).