Judge Christopher N. Patterson: Professional Background and Legal Expertise

Hon. Christopher N. Patterson is a judge for the 14th Judicial Circuit Court of Florida. He was elected to the bench in 2010.

The 14th Judicial Circuit includes Bay, Calhoun, Gulf, Holmes, Jackson, and Washington Counties. Patterson has served as Chief Judge of the 14th Judicial Circuit, having served in that capacity since 2019. He has also presided in both Bay and Washington Counties. In addition, Patterson has taught as a faculty member at Florida Judicial College.

Prior to his election, he worked as a private practice attorney since 1991. During that time, Patterson was a senior partner in the Law Office of Christopher Patterson, P.A. He also served as an administrative Criminal Law and Family Law judge for the 14th Judicial Circuit.

Patterson received a B.A. from Clemson University in 1982. He then completed a J.D. at Nova Southeastern University, Shepard Broad College of Law in 1985. He is Board Certified in Criminal Trial Law by The Florida Bar Board of Legal Specialization and Education (1995).

Patterson was admitted to practice in Florida (1985), the United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit, the United States Supreme Court, the United States District Court for the Northern District of Florida, the United States District Court for the Middle District of Florida (1985), the United States Court of Military Appeals, the United States Court of Military Review, and the United States District Court for the Southern District of Texas.

He served as an officer in the Judge Advocate General’s Corps in the United States Army and was a Special Assistant United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia.

Patterson sat as a member of the Florida Conference Circuit Judges Education Committee and was named Judge of the Year by The Florida Bar Law Related Education Committee in 2017. He also received the President’s Pro Bono Service Award from The Florida Bar.

He and his wife, Vicky, have two children.