Patrick & Associates, PLLC

Meet The Team

Dean Patrick

Managing Partner/Senior Attorney

Mr. Patrick is a licensed Michigan lawyer with a focus in probate law. He has the legal counseling skills, experience, and dedication that your legal matter deserves. Whether you are looking for a probate attorney, an estate attorney or need legal advice when dealing with these emotional issues, trust our office to guide you through the process and deliver results.

Mr. Patrick’s specialized knowledge of estate planning and probate law topics set him apart from general practitioners. Prior to opening his own practice, Mr. Patrick clerked for a seasoned elder law/estate planning firm. Since establishing his own probate and estate law practice, Mr. Patrick has personally counseled hundreds of individuals in legal matters and has educated thousands throughout Michigan as an estate planning speaker and author.

In order to provide the most current state of the law to his clients, Mr. Patrick enrolls in a variety of continuing legal education courses. As such, Mr. Patrick has been recognized and awarded a certificate in the areas of estate planning and probate. When you are in need of a dedicated probate litigation lawyer or an estate lawyer, contact the Law Office of Dean E. Patrick, PLLC and rest assured that your legal issues will be handled professionally and completely. The Law Office of Dean E. Patrick, PLLC serves southeast Michigan in traffic, estate planning, and estate administration matters – call now at (248) 663-2566 today for your consultation!

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Education

  • J.D., University of Detroit Mercy School of Law, 2004
  • B.S., Central Michigan University, 1998

Jurisdictions Admitted to Practice

  • Michigan, 2004
  • United States District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan, 2012

Professional & Bar Association Memberships

  • Litigation Section of the Michigan State Bar
  • Probate & Estate Planning Section of the Michigan State Bar
  • Elder Law & Disability Rights Section of the Michigan State Bar
  • Health Care Law Section of the Michigan State Bar
  • Wayne County Probate Bar Association
  • Michigan State Bar

Memberships

  • Brain Injury Litigation Network
  • Alzheimer’s Association

Jason Dandy

Litigation Director/Senior Attorney

As the director of our litigation department, I handle our most contentious litigated cases and assist other members of our team with litigation in the cases assigned to them. I also handle cases involving complex trusts and estates, and cases with complicated legal issues.

Practice Areas
Probate Litigation
Probate Administration
Appeals

What I do at Patrick Legal
As the director of our litigation department, I handle our most contentious litigated cases and assist other members of our team with litigation in the cases assigned to them. I also handle cases involving complex trusts and estates, and cases with complicated legal issues.

Education
University of Detroit Mercy School of Law – Juris Doctor
President of Student Bar Association
Member of Law Review published in the Law review
University of Michigan – Ann Arbor – Bachelor of Arts in Asian Studies
Yonsei University – Seoul, South Korea as part of degree program

Memberships
State Bar of Michigan (2006 – Present)
United States District Court – Eastern District of Michigan

Achievements
Secured millions of dollars for clients, with a $1.4 million judgment after trial being the one I am proudest of to date
Successfully argued before the Court of Appeals
Numerous successful written appeals before the Court of Appeals
Published author both of legal/academic writings and of fiction
Who I Am
Outside of work, I most enjoy spending time with my son, my step-son, my wife, and our dog and cat. I am a member of the Animal Law Section and a member of the LGBTQA Law Section of the State Bar of Michigan, as I believe that how we treat the most vulnerable among us defines our character. Having a two year-old and a puppy (as of late 2021) leaves very little time outside of work and family, but I still manage to make time for small gatherings with friends.

Kara Krajci

Super Paralegal

I LOVE staying active, usually you can find me in my garage gym or hanging out with family or friends. I enjoy golfing, reading, traveling, lake days, camping, and hiking. My favorite hiking trip was to Asheville, North Carolina. 

What I do at Patrick Legal
I provide support to the attorneys using my considerable multitasking skills and customer service experience. I assist clients by providing regular contact and updates. I also maintain the case/client calendar and deadlines and draft applications and letters.

Education
Oakland Community College – Paralegal Post Baccalaureate Professional Certificate
Magma Cum Laude
Walsh College – Bachelor of Business Administration – Marketing

Who I am
I LOVE staying active, usually you can find me in my garage gym or hanging out with family or friends. I enjoy golfing, reading, traveling, lake days, camping, and hiking. My favorite hiking trip was to Asheville, North Carolina. For five years, I had the most wonderful experience as a nanny for a family who encouraged me to follow my dreams, one of which was to become a paralegal. Family means a lot to me, so it only seemed fitting to join a firm who helped families in need.

Michael Arnhold

Associate Attorney

At Patrick & Associates, Michael focuses his practice on probate administration and litigation as well as real property disputes. Michael wields a range of prior legal experience, including creditor’s rights, landlord-tenant, personal injury, and the supervision of large-scale discovery projects. During his legal career, Michael has tried and negotiated successful outcomes for both individual and corporate clients. He is a 2013 graduate from Wayne State Law School who enjoys cooking, staying active, and playing chess. 

Dawn Santamarina

Associate Attorney

Graduated cum laude from the University of Detroit Law School in 2017. Prior to law school, she attended Baker College for her Bachelor of Science in Legal Studies and graduated cum laude.
After passing the Michigan Bar Exam and being admitted as a member of the Michigan State Bar in October of 2017, Dawn Santamarina has worked exclusively in probate. Her practice areas consist of decedent’s estate and trust administration, probate and civil litigation, landlord-tenant matters, interpleader cases, quiet title actions, appeals, and the like. Dawn Santamarina has handled appellate work in both the Michigan Court of Appeals and the Michigan Supreme Court. She also has handled numerous bench trials and a jury trial throughout her career and is experienced in all aspects of litigation.
Prior to becoming a licensed attorney, Dawn Santamarina worked for a Macomb County Public Administrator for almost 6 years as a paralegal and legal secretary. She has also worked for the United States Attorneys Office, Eastern District of Michigan, as a paralegal in the drug task force unit and the violent and organized crimes unit.

Zilly Lambert

Paralegal

Zilly has worked continuously in the legal field and specialized in probate administration and litigation. She continues to put a focus on continuing education and networking. She was recently named the chapter secretary for the National Association of Legal Support and is a member of the Michigan Bar Association – Paralegal Section.
In her free time, she enjoys a quiet life with her husband and cats. Her pastimes include reading, baking, crafting, adventuring, yoga and rides in the country.

Call 248-663-2566 or fill in the form below to get help now!

Call 248-663-2566 or fill in the form below to get help now!