Jay Patterson is a litigator focused on resolving complex commercial disputes, whether through settlement, arbitration, or trial.
Jay has litigated in both state and federal courts across the country representing foreign and domestic underwriters insuring construction operations and petrochemical facilities. He is a member of MH’s financial services team litigating matters related to secondary market transactions involving life and annuity products, cost of insurance rate adjustments, and consumer protection and fair-trade practice statutes. Jay also has successfully represented clients seeking to recover contractual remedies through arbitration before the AAA and JAMS.
Away from practicing law, Jay spends time traveling with his family, cycling around Houston, and following Ole Miss athletics.
- Defending consumer class action involving unfair competition claims.
- Obtained dismissal of securities class action lawsuit involving life insurance annuities.
- Obtained summary judgment in alleged wrongful lapse case involving a $20 million life insurance policy.
- Obtained summary judgment in third-party coverage dispute regarding cost of defense.
- Represented insurance syndicate in multi-hundred-million-dollar coverage and bad faith lawsuit brought by chemical manufacturer and obtained favorable summary judgment ruling.
- Represented insurance syndicate in business interruption and bad faith lawsuit brought by midstream energy company.
- Represented builder’s risk insurer in bad faith coverage action arising out of faulty workmanship.
- Counseled foreign and domestic insurers regarding investigation and response to business interruption claims arising out of government restrictions related to the COVID-19 pandemic.
- Obtained judgment in favor of national construction company seeking contractual remedies in AAA arbitration.
- Obtained multi-million-dollar settlement for client in JAMS arbitration.
- Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch® – Commercial Litigation (2025-2026)
- Aggressively and Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing: Grantees Obligated to Litigate (87 Miss. L.J. 859 | 2018)
- Houston Bar Association
- Houston Young Lawyers Association
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MH Wins Life Insurance Appeal in the Third Circuit
05.21.24
May 21, 2024
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MH Wins Summary Judgment for Commercial General Liability Insurer
07.01.23
July 1, 2023
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Eighteen MH Attorneys Recognized By Best Lawyers®
08.21.25
August 21, 2025
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McDowell Hetherington Attorneys Recognized By Best Lawyers®
08.15.24
August 15, 2024

