Fred Warder is a Partner in Patterson Belknap’s Litigation department and Chair of the firm’s Law Firm Defense group. Mr. Warder’s practice has covered a broad spectrum of general commercial litigation, and is focused on defending law firms and lawyers against malpractice and related claims and on prosecuting and defending intellectual property and consumer fraud disputes. In the law firm defense arena, Mr. Warder has represented clients ranging from international firms to solo practitioners accused of malpractice, breach of fiduciary duty, fraud, disciplinary violations, and related claims. In the intellectual property arena, Mr. Warder has prosecuted and defended false advertising, trademark, and consumer fraud claims between competitors and in class actions for a wide variety of products and services.
He practices in federal and state courts, has served as a mediator in partnership disputes, and speaks frequently at bar association, CLE, and industry events. Mr. Warder serves as the Firm’s co-General Counsel.
Mr. Warder is listed in Managing Intellectual Property magazine’s “IP Stars” for New York, is recognized in Best Lawyers in America for Commercial Litigation, and Super Lawyers for Professional Liability Defense
Mr. Warder received his B.A. from Georgetown University, cum laude, and earned his J.D., cum laude, from the New York University School of Law, where was elected to the Order of the Coif and served as Articles Editor of New York University Law Review.
Updated Sep 2025
- Professional Liability
- J.D., cum laude - New York University School of Law - 1990
B.A., cum laude - Georgetown University - 1986
- U.S. Supreme Court
- U.S. Court of Appeals, Second Circuit
- U.S. District Court, Southern District of New York
- U.S. District Court, Eastern District of New York
- U.S. District Court, District of Columbia
- New York
- District of Columbia