Patrick J. Hecker
Patrick J. Hecker
is a former pastor, social worker, and mental health clinician who brings his background in the helping professions to the criminal practice of law. Before joining SBBL, he clerked in the Illinois Appellate Court and for a Federal District judge in the Western District of Oklahoma. Through observing high stakes trials, drafting published judicial opinions, and collaborating closely with state and federal judges, Patrick gained a deep understanding of how judicial decisions are actually made. Knowing how judges evaluate legal arguments, Patrick crafts each brief to achieve the strongest possible result. Passionate and empathetic, he leaves no stone unturned in the pursuit of justice.
Background
After graduating with a B.A. in Biblical and Theological Studies, Patrick simultaneously pursued a Master’s in Divinity and a Master’s in Social Work from Duke Divinity School and the University of North Carolina. He then moved to Los Angeles where he worked as a chaplain in a small middle and high school. Seeking more direct ways to pursue justice than what he could achieve through ministry, Patrick decided to change careers. He worked as a social worker—helping homeless clients struggling with drug addiction and severe psychoses—during the day and studying for the law school admissions test (LSAT) at night. Patrick then attended Northwestern University Pritzker School of Law.
As described above, Patrick has clerked in the Illinois Appellate Court and in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Oklahoma. He now brings a wealth of experience understanding what busy judges look for out of briefs at all levels of the American court system (state, federal, trial, and appellate). He has also drafted orders and opinions responding to motions about each point in the criminal process—pre-trial, trial, sentencing, direct appeals, post-conviction appeals, and petitions for habeas corpus.
Patrick has lived in six different states and has studied or worked in Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, South Africa, Uganda, and the Netherlands. Fluent in Spanish, he enjoys connecting with people of all walks of life no matter where he finds himself.
Bar & Court Admissions
- Illinois
- Michigan
Education
- Northwestern Pritzker School of Law, J.D. (cum laude)
- Member of the Journal of Law and Social Policy
- Member of the Appellate Law Advocacy Clinic
- Duke Divinity School, M. Div (magna cum laude)
- University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, M.S.W.
- Wheaton College, B.A. (magna cum laude)
- Human Needs and Global Resources program alumnus (including a study abroad in Kampala, Uganda)
Awards
- Lowden-Wigmore Prize for legal writing
Publications
- Northwestern Journal of Law and Social Policy
- Legally Alone: The Redeemability of Guardianship and Recommendations Toward Equitable Access
Clerkships
- Law clerk to the Hon. Chief Judge Timothy DeGiusti, U.S. District Court, Western District of Oklahoma
- Law Clerk to the Hon. Justice Mary Mikva, Illinois Appellate Court, First District
Where We Practice
Our criminal lawyers represent clients in nationwide federal criminal cases and Title IX investigations, and we regularly appear in courts throughout Michigan:
- U.S. District Court for the Western District of Michigan (federal court in Grand Rapids, Kalamazoo, Lansing, Marquette)
- U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan (federal court in Detroit, Ann Arbor, Bay City, Flint, Port Huron)
- Kent County (Greater Grand Rapids, Walker, Wyoming, Kentwood, Grandville)
- Newaygo County (White Cloud)
- Ottawa County (Hudsonville, Holland, Grand Haven)
- Allegan County
- Barry County (Hastings)
- Muskegon County
- Oceana County (Hart)
- Mecosta County (Big Rapids)
- Ionia County
- Montcalm County (Stanton)
- Clinton County (St. Johns)
- Gratiot County (Ithaca)
- Eaton County (Charlotte)
- Ingham County (Lansing, East Lansing, Mason)
- Jackson County
- Calhoun County (Battle Creek)
- Kalamazoo County
- Van Buren County (Paw Paw, South Haven)
- Mason County (Ludington)
- Lake County (Baldwin)
- Osceola County
- Berrien County (St. Joseph)
- Washtenaw County (Ypsilanti, Ann Arbor)
- and elsewhere throughout Michigan.
If you or someone you know is looking for a criminal defense attorney, call now for a free consultation (616) 458-5500 or (231) 924-8700 or connect with us online.
Kalamazoo
TYPES OF CASES
- White Collar Crimes
- Tax Crimes
- Other Financial Crimes
- Environmental Crimes
Allegan
TYPES OF CASES
- Domestic Violence
- Violent Felonies
- Firearms Offenses
- Major Cases
- Murder-for-Hire
Barry
TYPES OF CASES
- White Collar Crimes
- Tax Crimes
- Other Financial Crimes
- Environmental Crimes
Lona
TYPES OF CASES
- Domestic Violence
- Violent Felonies
- Firearms Offenses
- Major Cases
- Murder-for-Hire
Kent
TYPES OF CASES
- White Collar Crimes
- Tax Crimes
- Other Financial Crimes
- Environmental Crimes
Ottawa
TYPES OF CASES
- Domestic Violence
- Violent Felonies
- Firearms Offenses
- Major Cases
- Murder-for-Hire
Muskegon
TYPES OF CASES
- White Collar Crimes
- Tax Crimes
- Other Financial Crimes
- Environmental Crimes
Mecosta
TYPES OF CASES
- Domestic Violence
- Violent Felonies
- Firearms Offenses
- Major Cases
- Murder-for-Hire
Montcalm
TYPES OF CASES
- White Collar Crimes
- Tax Crimes
- Other Financial Crimes
- Environmental Crimes
Newaygo
TYPES OF CASES
- White Collar Crimes
- Tax Crimes
- Other Financial Crimes
- Environmental Crimes
Lake
TYPES OF CASES
- Domestic Violence
- Violent Felonies
- Firearms Offenses
- Major Cases
- Murder-for-Hire
Mason
TYPES OF CASES
- White Collar Crimes
- Tax Crimes
- Other Financial Crimes
- Environmental Crimes
Leelanau
TYPES OF CASES
- White Collar Crimes
- Tax Crimes
- Other Financial Crimes
- Environmental Crimes
Benzie
Grand Traverse
Manistee
Kalkaska
Crawford
Oscoda
Alcona
Oceana
TYPES OF CASES
- White Collar Crimes
- Tax Crimes
- Other Financial Crimes
- Environmental Crimes
Wexford
Missaukee
Roscommon
Ogemaw
Iosco
Osceola
Clare
Isabella
Ionia
Clinton
Eaton
Ingham
Van Buren
Calhoun
Jackson
Berrien
Cass
St. Joseph
Branch
Gladwin
Arenac
Midland
Bay
Huron
Gratiot
Saginaw
Tuscola
Sanilac
Shiawassee
Genesee
Lapeer
St. Clair
Livingston
Oakland
Macomb
Hillsdale
Washtenaw
Wayne
Lenawee
Monroe
Antrim
Otsego
Montmorency
Alpena
Presque Isle
Charlevoix
Emmet
Cheboygan
Our Locations
616-458-5500
Grand Rapids
60 MONROE CENTER ST NW #500
GRAND RAPIDS, MI 49503
Fremont
28 W. MAIN STREET
FREMONT, MI 49412
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