Atty. Patrick Kernan
Mr. Patrick Kernan is a Washington, DC based attorney with over 25 years of experience as a complex commercial, construction, and government contracting attorney.
Attorney · Serving Washington, DC · 35+ Years Experience
Profile Summary
About Patrick Kernan at a Glance
Patrick Kernan is a Special Counsel based in Washington, District of Columbia, practicing at Asmar, Schor & McKenna, PLLC. They have 35+ years of legal experience, licensed to practice since 1991. Admitted to practice in Massachusetts (1991) and District of Columbia (2013). Educated at Wake Forest University Law School LL.M. (—) and Hamilton College B.A. Economics (—). Serves clients in Washington, DC and the surrounding metropolitan area.
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About Patrick Kernan
- Mr. Patrick Kernan is a Washington, DC based attorney with over 25 years of experience as a complex commercial, construction, and government contracting attorney
- In 2012, Mr. Kernan left public service for the private sector
- Since that time, he has been assisting businesses throughout the country
- He has litigated bid protests, claims before the court of federal claims and boards of contract appeals, commercial disputes in federal court, and contracting debarments before federal agencies, among a large variety of litigation matters
- Mr. Kernan’s public service spanned from the United States Army Judge Advocate General Corps, the Department of Justice, and the Department of Homeland Security
- While at these institutions, Mr. Kernan served in multiple government contract legal roles such as the Chief of Procurement and Fiscal Law for the Multi-National Corps – Iraq, where he managed a team of attorneys tasked with improving contracting practices on billions of dollars of contracts for all forces in Iraq
- At DHS, Mr. Kernan was a senior attorney in the commercial law section advising the government on contract formation, bid protests, and claims
- He was also Chief Counsel to the U.S
- Citizenship and Immigration Services Transformation Program, leading a team providing legal advice on the full range of legal issues encountered by this billion-dollar business and information technology transformation program
- Earlier in his career, Mr. Kernan litigated claims and bid protests with the U.S
- Army Contract Appeals Division
- Mr. Kernan served two tours of duty in Iraq
- He was also the Staff Judge Advocate (Managing Attorney) for the Combined Joint Special Operations Task Force–Arabian Peninsula in Balad, Iraq
- For his service in Iraq, Mr. Kernan was awarded the Bronze Star, the Iraqi Campaign Medal (with a service star), the War on Terrorism Medal and the Joint Service Commendation Medal
- Mr. Kernan held a variety of leadership posts in the JAG Corps
- Most notably, he was a Lieutenant Colonel in the JAG Corps and Chief of Criminal law in the 82nd Airborne Division
- He is a graduate of Hamilton College (B.A
- Economics) and Wake Forest University Law School
- He received his L.L.M., with a focus on government contracts, from the Judge Advocate General’s Legal Center and School
- He is admitted to practice in Washington, D.C., U.S District Court for the District of Columbia, U.S
- Court of Federal Claims, U.S
- Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit, U.S
- Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia, and the U.S
- Supreme Court
Jurisdictional Context
Why Local Counsel Matters in Washington
Practicing law in District of Columbia. Legal matters in District of Columbia are governed by state-specific rules of civil and criminal procedure, statutes of limitations, and substantive law. Cases originating in Washington are typically filed in the local municipal court or the appropriate District of Columbia state district court, depending on subject matter and amount in controversy. An attorney licensed in District of Columbia brings working knowledge of local procedural deadlines, judicial practices in this venue, and the substantive law that applies to cases brought here. Out-of-state attorneys generally cannot represent clients in District of Columbia courts without local counsel or pro hac vice admission.
Washington Courts and Legal Process
Choosing a Washington-based attorney means your counsel already knows the local docketing timelines, preferred filing formats, and how individual judges typically rule on procedural motions — details that only come from practicing in this jurisdiction day after day. That local familiarity can translate to better strategy, faster filings, and fewer costly surprises.
Looking for additional District of Columbia attorneys? Browse all attorneys in Washington or all attorneys in District of Columbia.
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Professional Profile
Why Clients in Washington Choose Patrick Kernan
Selecting an attorney is one of the most consequential decisions you can make when a legal matter arises. Below are the core qualities that distinguish Patrick Kernan's practice.
Decade-Tested Legal Experience
Patrick Kernan brings 35+ years of hands-on legal practice — enough to have navigated the recurring fact patterns, procedural traps, and negotiation dynamics that shape case outcomes.
Multi-State Bar Admission
Licensed in Massachusetts and District of Columbia, Patrick Kernan can represent clients in cases that span state lines or require counsel in multiple jurisdictions.
Local Presence in Washington
A Washington-based practice means Patrick Kernan attends hearings in the same courthouses, knows the local clerks, and understands the unwritten scheduling norms that affect every case filed here.
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Education & Law School Background
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