Atty. Patrick M. O'Donnell

Atty. Patrick M. O'Donnell

Thirty years ago when Pat O’Donnell was talking to his son’s grade school class about what he did for a living, he simply said, “I solve peoples’ problems.” Today Pat is still doing the same thing in his practice, focused primarily in labor and employment law and civil litigation. Whether the challenge calls for strategic diplomacy and subtle persuasion or figuratively holding his opponent’s head under water, Pat’s goal is to obtain results for his clients, as efficiently and cost-effectively as practical.

Monticello Monticello 38 J. Erfahrung 38 year
Call (651) 371-0037 Book Appointment

Profile Summary

About Patrick M. O'Donnell at a glance

Patrick M. O'Donnell is an Of Counsel based in Monticello, Minnesota, practicing at Smith, Paulson, O'Donnell & Erickson, PLC. They have 38+ years of legal experience, licensed to practice since 1988. Their practice focuses on probate, personal injury, employment, business, and real estate. Admitted to practice in Texas (1988), U.S. District Court, District of Minnesota (1988), and Minnesota U.S. District Court, Southern District of Texas U.S. District Court, Western District of T (1988). Educated at William Mitchell College of Law (J.D. Graduated, 1988) and St. Cloud State University (B.A. Mass, 1981). Recognitions include BV Distinguished. Serands clients in Monticello, MN and the surrounding metropolitan area.

Verified attorney profile · Updated June 2026

Über uns

  • Thirty years ago when Pat O’Donnell was talking to his son’s grade school class about what he did for a living, he simply said, “I solve peoples’ problems.” Today Pat is still doing the same thing in his practice, focused primarily in labor and employment law and civil litigation
  • Whether the challenge calls for strategic diplomacy and subtle persuasion or figuratively holding his opponent’s head under water, Pat’s goal is to obtain results for his clients, as efficiently and cost-effectively as practical
  • Pat’s background as a Navy veteran and martial artist have instilled in him that honor, respect, professionalism and personal responsibility are paramount in dealings with others – in assisting clients, in adversarial negotiations and in the courtroom
  • Winning results can take many forms
  • Pat and the SPOE team work with clients to help them determine what the best “win” is for them and the best way to achieve it
  • In addition to his legal work, Pat is passionate about professional and community service
  • He served 14 years on the Board of Directors for Central Minnesota Legal Services, is a member of the 10th Judicial District Equal Justice Committee, and served more than 10 years as a volunteer Ethics Investigator for the Minnesota Office of Lawyers Professional Responsibility
  • He is a former president and current STRIVE program student mentor for the Monticello Rotary Club, a former Treasurer of the Monticello Chamber of Commerce, and a former President of the Wright County Area United Way
  • Pat has also served as a Finance Council member and Trustee at St. Henrys Church in Monticello and has actively served in music ministry, marriage prep and small-group leadership positions over the last 35 years
  • Pat started his legal career after working several years as a newspaper reporter, photographer and editor
  • He returned to school, attending William Mitchell College of Law in St. Paul, MN
  • While a student, he worked as a Law Clerk in the Human Resources Legal Department at Honeywell Inc. Corporate Headquarters in Minneapolis, MN, where he began his study of labor and employment law
  • Pat entered formal law practice in Galveston, TX, at the firm of McLeod, Alexander, Powel & Apffel, where he practiced labor and employment law and business litigation in the Houston-Galveston area and elsewhere around Texas
  • When he returned to Minnesota, Pat was a founding partner in Granath & O’Donnell, a boutique labor and employment practice located in Minneapolis, MN
  • A resident of the Monticello area, Pat relocated his practice to Monticello in 1999 and has never looked back
  • Pat is admitted to practice in Minnesota and Texas, the United States District Court for the District of Minnesota, the United States District Courts for the Southern, Eastern, and Western Districts of Texas, and the U.S
  • Courts of Appeal for Fifth and Eighth Circuits
  • Awards & Honors • Nominated, Galveston County Outstanding Young Lawyer, 1990 & 1991 • Awarded, 10th Judicial Pro Bono Award (with Firm) 2007 • Awarded, William Mitchell Alumni Association Student Award of Merit, 1988 • Awarded, 2007 Pro Bono Citation, Central Minnesota Legal Services • Awarded, L.A.W
  • Scholarship, 1985-1986 • Dean’s List, St. Cloud State University, 1976, 1977 and 1981 • Company Academic Award Winner, Naval Training Center, San Diego, California, 1972 Community Involvement • Monticello Rotary, Past President, STRIVE Mentor, 1999-present • American Legion, Member, 1975-present • Veterans of Foreign Wars, Member 1975-present • St. Henry Catholic Church, Music Ministry, Marriage Prep, Lector, 1994-present • North American Tae Kwon Do Federation • United States Judo Association, Ju Jitsu Division, Life Member • Advocate, Recidivism Intervention Program, Galveston County Jail, Galveston, Texas, 1989-1993 • Annulment Advocate, Office of Family Life Ministry, Diocese of Galveston-Houston, Houston, Texas, 1990-1993 • Diocesan Committee Member, Campaign for Human Development, Diocese of Galveston-Houston, Houston, Texas, 1991-1993 • Reserve Police Officer, Mora Police Department, Mora, Minnesota, 1982-1984 Professional Memberships • MSBA Certified Labor and Employment Law Specialist, 2011-present • State Bar of Minnesota, Labor & Employment Law Section • State Bar of Texas • 18th District Bar Association, former Ethics Committee Investigator • 10th Judicial District Equal Justice Committee, Member, 2009-present • Central Minnesota Legal Services Board, Director, 2004-2020 • Society for Human Resource Management, North Star Chapter Board Member, 2012-present • Society of Professional Journalists, Sigma Delta Chi, 1980-1988

Practice Areas Explained

Patrick M. O'Donnell's Areas of Practice

Each practice area below reflects the types of cases Patrick M. O'Donnell handles, with a brief overview of what that area of law covers.

Probate

Patrick M. O'Donnell is one of 128,014 probate attorneys indexed nationally. Browse probate attorneys in Minnesota →

Personal Injury

Personal injury attorneys help accident victims recover compensation for medical bills, lost wages, and pain & suffering. Most work on contingency — no fee unless you win.

Patrick M. O'Donnell is one of 264,852 personal injury attorneys indexed nationally. Browse personal injury attorneys in Minnesota →

Employment Law

Employment lawyers represent workers in wrongful termination, discrimination, harassment, wage & hour disputes, and severance negotiations.

Patrick M. O'Donnell is one of 169,120 employment attorneys indexed nationally. Browse employment attorneys in Minnesota →

Business & Corporate Law

Business attorneys advise founders and growing companies on entity formation, contracts, financing, M&A, and dispute resolution.

Patrick M. O'Donnell is one of 501,317 business attorneys indexed nationally. Browse business attorneys in Minnesota →

Real Estate Law

Real estate attorneys handle home purchases, sales, commercial transactions, title disputes, and landlord-tenant matters.

Patrick M. O'Donnell is one of 316,149 real estate attorneys indexed nationally. Browse real estate attorneys in Minnesota →

Jurisdictional Context

Why local counsel matters in Minnesota

Practicing law in Minnesota. Legal matters in Minnesota are governed by state-specific rules of civil and criminal procedure, statutes of limitations, and substantive law. Cases originating in Monticello are typically filed in the local municipal court or the appropriate Minnesota state district court, depending on subject matter and amount in controversy. An attorney licensed in Minnesota brings working knowledge of local procedural deadlines, judicial practices in this andnue, and the substantive law that applies to cases brought here. Out-of-state attorneys generally cannot represent clients in Minnesota courts without local counsel or pro hac vice admission.

Looking for additional Minnesota attorneys? Browse all attorneys in Monticello or all attorneys in Minnesota.

Frequently Asked

Common questions about Patrick M. O'Donnell

Where is Patrick M. O'Donnell's law office located?
Patrick M. O'Donnell's law practice is located in Monticello, Minnesota. The firm is Smith, Paulson, O'Donnell & Erickson, PLC. You can contact the office directly through this profile page.
What practice areas does Patrick M. O'Donnell handle?
Patrick M. O'Donnell focuses on probate, personal injury, employment, business, real estate. Each practice area listed reflects experience handling cases of that type in Minnesota.
How long has Patrick M. O'Donnell practiced law?
Patrick M. O'Donnell has 38+ years of legal experience and has been licensed since 1988.
Where did Patrick M. O'Donnell go to law school?
Patrick M. O'Donnell earned their education at (J.D. Graduated, 1988); (B.A. Mass, 1981).
How can I contact Patrick M. O'Donnell for a consultation?
You can contact Patrick M. O'Donnell directly through this profile page. Click "Ask the Attorney" to submit a question, or "Schedule a Consultation" to book a meeting. Most claimed-profile attorneys respond within one business day.
What awards or recognition has Patrick M. O'Donnell received?
Patrick M. O'Donnell's notable recognition includes: BV Distinguished.

Education

J.D. Graduated
William Mitchell College of Law
- 1988
B.A. Mass
St. Cloud State University
- 1981

Awards

BV Distinguished

Bar Admissions

Texas
Admitted: 1988
U.S. District Court, District of Minnesota
Admitted: 1988
Minnesota U.S. District Court, Southern District of Texas U.S. District Court, Western District of T
Admitted: 1988

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