Patrick Borchers

Patrick Borchers
Name	Patrick Borchers
Birth date	1957
Occupation	Lawyer, Professor, Author
Employer	University of Nebraska College of Law
Alma mater	University of Florida, Yale University
Notable works	A Treatise on the Law of Civil Procedure, scholarly articles

Patrick Borchers

Patrick Borchers is an American attorney and law professor known for scholarship in civil procedure, conflict of laws, and appellate advocacy. He has served on the faculty at the University of Nebraska College of Law and practiced at multiple law firms and appellate clinics, engaging with courts including the Nebraska Supreme Court, United States Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit, and state trial courts. Borchers's career bridges academic research, courtroom litigation, and public service in Lincoln, Nebraska and the broader Midwest legal community.

Early life and education

Born in 1957, Borchers attended primary and secondary schools before matriculating at the University of Florida, where he completed undergraduate studies. He earned a Juris Doctor from Yale Law School and pursued advanced legal scholarship that positioned him for both litigation and academic appointments. During his formative years he engaged with legal clinics and appellate moot courts, participating in activities associated with American Bar Association standards for clinical legal education and appellate practice programs affiliated with prominent law schools.

Academic career

Borchers joined the faculty of the University of Nebraska–Lincoln College of Law, where he taught courses in civil procedure, conflict of laws, and appellate advocacy. He held visiting professorships and delivered lectures at institutions such as Harvard Law School, Stanford Law School, Columbia Law School, and other law faculties across the United States. As a scholar-educator he supervised clinical programs that interacted with state agencies and nonprofit organizations, coordinated appellate clinics linked to the American Civil Liberties Union in selected matters, and mentored students who went on to clerk for judges on the Nebraska Supreme Court, the United States District Court for the District of Nebraska, and federal courts of appeals.

Borchers contributed to curricular development, serving on faculty committees that interfaced with accrediting bodies such as the American Bar Association Section of Legal Education. He participated in symposia at venues like the Association of American Law Schools meetings and presented papers at conferences hosted by entities including the American Association of Law Schools and the International Association of Procedural Law.

Research and publications

Borchers's scholarship focuses on civil procedure, choice of law, jurisdictional doctrines, and appellate practice. He authored articles published in journals connected to institutions such as Harvard Law Review, Yale Law Journal, Columbia Law Review, and regionally in the Nebraska Law Review. His work analyzes doctrines developed by the United States Supreme Court, the Restatement (Second) of Conflict of Laws, and state high courts, with attention to precedent from the Eighth Circuit and state supreme courts like the Iowa Supreme Court and the Missouri Supreme Court.

He wrote monographs and treatises used in law school classrooms and by practicing attorneys, citing authority from landmark cases including decisions of the Supreme Court of the United States such as jurisdictional opinions and civil procedure rulings. Borchers contributed chapters to edited volumes alongside scholars from University of Chicago Law School, New York University School of Law, and University of Pennsylvania Law School. His empirical and doctrinal studies appeared in edited collections sponsored by organizations such as the American Law Institute and the Institute for Legal Research.

Legal practice and notable cases

Parallel to his academic work, Borchers maintained an active legal practice, representing clients in appellate and trial courts across Nebraska and neighboring jurisdictions. He served as counsel in matters before the Nebraska Supreme Court and filed briefs in federal appeals heard by the United States Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit. His litigation practice encompassed commercial disputes, constitutional questions, and procedural appeals involving statutes administered by the Nebraska Legislature and administrative agencies.

Borchers took part in cases that engaged constitutional doctrines adjudicated by the Supreme Court of the United States and key federal statutes interpreted by the Eighth Circuit and district courts. He collaborated with co-counsel drawn from regional firms and national practices, coordinating appellate strategy, drafting merits briefs, and presenting oral argument in state and federal appellate courts. Selected matters drew attention in local media outlets in Lincoln, Nebraska and professional coverage in periodicals circulated among members of the American Bar Association.

Awards and honors

Borchers received recognition for teaching, scholarship, and public service from institutions including the University of Nebraska and statewide legal organizations. Honors included awards for excellence in classroom instruction presented by student organizations and faculty commendations from college governance bodies. Professional accolades came from bar associations such as the Nebraska State Bar Association and committees associated with the American Bar Association for contributions to legal education and appellate advocacy.

He was invited to fellowships and visiting scholar positions sponsored by legal research institutes and received invitations to present keynote addresses at meetings of the Association of American Law Schools and section gatherings of the American Bar Association.

Personal life and community involvement

Residing in Lincoln, Nebraska, Borchers engaged with community organizations, civic groups, and legal clinics that serve local residents. He participated in outreach projects affiliated with nonprofit entities and supported initiatives connected to cultural and educational institutions in the Midwest. He balanced professional commitments with family life and local volunteerism, contributing pro bono services and mentorship to students and young attorneys through programs organized by the Nebraska State Bar Association and university-affiliated legal aid clinics.

Category:American lawyers Category:Law professors