Pat was born in Pasadena, California. Typical of his birthplace, Pat has a sunny, easy-going personality that endears him to his clients and unnerves his more serious adversaries. A lover of the outdoors, Pat spent much of his youth exploring the mountains of Southern California as a Boy Scout. Shortly after becoming an Eagle Scout, Pat headed East to attend the United States Coast Guard Academy. While at the Academy, Pat made two training cruises on the Tall Ship Eagle, and one cruise on the US Coast Guard Cutter Vigorous to the Arctic, before returning to California.
Following his time at sea, Pat determined that he was an Army man and signed up for Army ROTC at Claremont Men’s College and completed his degree at California State Polytechnic University in Pomona. Pat went to Ranger School and received his commission in 1973. As an Officer, Pat honed his leadership skills, serving as Adjutant, Company Commander, and ultimately joined the staff of the Major General commanding Fort Leonard Wood. Pat credits his time on active duty with his ability to endure any tirade -- whether from the bench or from an adversary -- with aplomb. As he always reminds us, he’s been chewed out by professionals.
Pat returned East to attend Boston University School of Law, courtesy of the GI Bill, where he continued his military service in the 26th (Yankee) Infantry Division of the Massachusetts Army National Guard, where he served as Aide de Camp to the Division Commander. While at BU, Pat served as an editor of the BU Law review and was a semi-finalist in the Homer Albert Moot Court competition. Upon graduation, Pat served a one-year clerkship with the Honorable William L. Grimes, Chief Justice of the New Hampshire Supreme Court, before returning to Connecticut to begin the practice of law.
Early in his career, Pat was asked by the Bankruptcy Court in Hartford to serve in two large commercial cases, which resulted in substantial and extensive litigation, providing Pat with an unusual amount of trial time for an associate attorney. In 1985, Pat joined two seasoned commercial lawyers to form the boutique litigation firm of Berman Sable & Boatman. Three years later, Pat ventured out on his own to found his own firm, now known as Boatman Law LLC.
Pat can be found in the Courtroom, trying five-figure cases or eight-figure cases with the same approachable, charming yet tenacious demeanor. He often serves as trial counsel when a case cannot be settled or is called upon to testify as an expert in the area of Bankruptcy Law. Pat always manages to inject an appropriate amount of levity into all that he does so as to keep his clients at ease.
Pat is licensed to practice in Connecticut and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, as well as the District Courts of Connecticut and Massachusetts. Pat was recently admitted to practice before the United States Supreme Court. Throughout his career, Pat has tried too many cases to count and has argued appeals before the Connecticut Appellate Court, as well as the United States District Court for the District of Connecticut, as well as the Second Circuit Court of Appeals. For much of his career, Pat has enjoyed an AV preeminent rating, which is the highest rating a lawyer can receive from his peers. He has been recognized as a Connecticut Super Lawyer in the area of personal injury.
Pat lives in Glastonbury with his wife of forty-seven years. He spends his spare time at his second home in Groton Long Point. He loves reading about military history and playing with his grandchildren.
Areas Of Practice
Bar Admissions
Connecticut, 1979
Massachusetts, 1980
U.S. District Court District of Connecticut
U.S. District Court District of Massachusetts
U.S. Court of Appeals 2nd Circuit
U.S. Court of Appeals 1st Circuit
U.S. Supreme Court
Education
Boston University School of Law, Boston, Massachusetts – J.D. - 1979
California State Polytechnic University, Pomona, California – B.A. - 1973
Webster University – M.A. - 1975
Honors & Awards
Past Employment Positions
Honorable William A. Grimes, Chief Justice, New Hampshire Supreme Court, Law Clerk, 1979 – 1980
United States Army National Guard, Judge Advocate’s Division, Lieutenant Colonel
