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About
Norm Pattis is an American defense attorney and former columnist based in New Haven, Connecticut, where he operates his own law firm. He has built a reputation for representing high-profile and controversial clients, often in cases involving free speech, conspiracy theories, and criminal defense. Pattis gained national attention for his role as counsel to radio host and conspiracy theorist Alex Jones in multiple defamation lawsuits stemming from Jones' false claims about the 2012 Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting. His defense work extended to other notable figures, including January 6 Capitol riot participants Joe Biggs and Zachary Rehl, as well as Fotis Dulos, the prime suspect in the disappearance and presumed murder of his estranged wife, Jennifer Dulos, in 2019. Pattis' legal career has not been without controversy. In 2023, the Connecticut Superior Court suspended his law license for six months after finding that he violated a court order by sharing discovery materials with Alex Jones in the Sandy Hook litigation, which led to the public disclosure of sensitive victim information. This disciplinary action drew significant criticism from legal observers and victims' families. However, in 2024, an appellate court overturned the suspension, reinstating Pattis' license and ruling that the original decision was flawed. Prior to his prominence in these cases, Pattis worked as a columnist, contributing to public discourse on legal and political issues. Throughout his career, Pattis has positioned himself as a defender of controversial figures, often aligning with libertarian or conservative viewpoints in his advocacy. His representation of clients accused of serious crimes and involvement in polarizing events underscores his role in navigating complex intersections of law, media, and politics in the United States.