As Managing Partner of DBL Law, Patrick Hughes serves as a trusted outside general counsel to businesses, executives, and organizations throughout the region. Clients turn to Patrick as a first call for legal and business issues, whether they involve a transaction, strategic opportunity, regulatory concern, real estate matter, financing, government issue, or an unexpected challenge.
Patrick’s approach is rooted in understanding the client’s business first. He helps clients assess risk, identify practical solutions, and determine the right path forward. When a matter requires specialized experience, he draws on DBL Law’s full-service capabilities to assemble the right team and coordinates that counsel with the client’s broader business objectives.
That approach reflects Patrick’s role as Managing Partner, where he leads DBL Law with a focus on practical, business-minded counsel, collaboration, and a consistent client experience across the firm. He works closely with the firm’s attorneys and leadership team to support growth, develop talent, and ensure DBL Law continues to anticipate and respond to the evolving needs of its clients.
Over the course of his career, Patrick has advised clients on a wide range of business and legal matters, including corporate transactions, real estate, public and private financing, economic development, public-private partnerships, infrastructure and construction projects, healthcare and insurance regulation, and government affairs. His broad experience allows him to see issues from multiple perspectives and help clients navigate matters that do not fit neatly within a single area of law.
Before joining DBL Law, Patrick served as legal counsel to the Secretary of the Kentucky Finance and Administration Cabinet, where he oversaw matters involving capital projects, property management, procurement, and financial management. He later served as Chief Deputy Attorney General, with responsibility for the office’s daily operations, including criminal and civil investigations and enforcement actions.
Patrick is admitted to practice in Kentucky and Ohio. He serves on the boards of the Horizon Community Foundation, Life Learning Center, Baker Hunt Foundation, LifeSciKY, Northern Kentucky Chamber of Commerce, and First National Bank of Kentucky.
Patrick and his wife, Michelle, reside in Covington, Kentucky.
- Real Estate Law – Best Lawyers in America (2024-2027)
- Covington Business Council Founder Award (2023)
- Children, Inc. – Charity in Action Award (2016)
- Children, Inc. – Extraordinary Efforts to Support Working Families (2014)
- Kentucky Bar Association
- Northern Kentucky Bar Association
- Ohio State Bar Association
- Member, Horizon Community Foundation, Board of Directors
- Member, Life Learning Center, Board of Directors
- Member, LifeSciKY, Board of Directors
- President, The Baker Hunt Foundation, Board of Directors
- Member, Northern Kentucky Chamber of Commerce, Board of Directors
- Co-Chair, Monica Hughes Henke Children’s Fund Memorial Golf Outing
- Member, Leadership Kentucky Class of 2003
- Former Member, Kentucky Board of Medical Licensure
- Former Member and Chair, Gateway Community and Technical College Nominating Commission
- Former Trustee, Covington Latin Board of Education
- Former Member, Senior Services of Northern Kentucky Board of Directors
- Former Member, Family Services of Greater Cincinnati Board of Directors
- Former Member, Kenton County Library Foundation Board of Directors
- Former Member, Prevent Child Abuse Kentucky, Board of Directors
- Commonwealth of Kentucky
- State of Ohio
- J.D., University of Kentucky, 1994
- B.B.A., University of Cincinnati, 1990
