It is with great sadness that we confirm the death of our partner, Patrick Dunaud.
Patrick was an international lawyer of great distinction. He joined Stewarts in January 2018 to head the newly formed media disputes practice.
Patrick was born in Paris on 22 September 1955 and raised in Montreal, Canada. He returned to France to attend the University of Bordeaux, graduating with a Masters in both European and international private law.
Following graduation, Patrick hesitated between a career as a diplomat and a career in the law. He chose the law and was admitted to the Paris Bar in 1979. His interest in international private law shaped his career.
Patrick worked at Debevoise & Plimpton in New York and Paris from 1981 to 1988. Debevoise & Plimpton partner John Kiernan said of him:
“Patrick was a wonderful colleague during our years as young lawyers. No matter how challenging the dispute we were working on, he always retained an amused twinkle that reminded us all of the humanity of the relevant serious players and the occasional hilarity of the human condition. His intellect, wisdom and solicitude for fairness and for the welfare of our clients were always reliably leavened by wit and a sense of fun. The world is a slightly less sweet and happy place for his passing.”
In 1988, Patrick returned to France to join Coudert Fréres in Paris. Thereafter, in 1994, he established a boutique law firm, Sokolow, Dunaud, Mercadier & Carreras. Patrick was head of litigation, managing teams in Paris, Brussels, New York and Casablanca.
Patrick joined Latham & Watkins in Paris in 2004 as the chair of the litigation department and co-global chair of the securities litigation practice. In 2009, Patrick joined Winston & Strawn in Paris as head of litigation until he departed in 2013 to establish a second litigation boutique, Dunaud Clarenc Combles & Associés.
Patrick’s practice encompassed a broad range of complex cross border litigation and regulatory issues for US and European corporate clients. His clients included Warner Brothers, Disney, Fox, HBO, Thomson Reuters, Dow Jones and the Wall Street Journal. He also acted for clients in the luxury good sectors including Chanel, Gucci, Kering, Dior, and Yves Saint-Laurent.
Jason Conti, General Counsel, Dow Jones said of Patrick:
“We are extremely sad to learn about Patrick’s sudden passing. It was always a comfort knowing we could turn to him for guidance, particularly when faced with a seemingly intractable dilemma in France. And his passion for the law, and for life, was ever present and infectious.”
Patrick’s sudden and unexpected death has had a profound effect on his wife, Nathalie, his daughters, his friends, colleagues and clients, many of whom were also great friends.
Lisa Osofsky, Director of the Serious Fraud Office (SFO), said of him:
“Patrick was a fantastic partner in business and a fearless lawyer who brought true creativity to his work, regardless of the topic.
“He loved to have a good laugh and did not let weighty or complex problems interfere with his calm, insightful confidence. With Patrick you were always in good hands and things just seemed to turn out right when he was by your side. It was my unexpected pleasure to develop a close friendship from the midst of cross border data issues and the challenges of the French Blocking Statute. Patrick is already greatly missed and I’m grateful for the times we spent with him and his family. Their welcoming nature and generosity are remarkable and have touched our hearts forever.”
Patrick was with Stewarts for a relatively short period but was much loved and respected.
John Cahill, Managing Partner, Stewarts said:
“Patrick’s plans for media disputes at Stewarts were ambitious, such was the character of this able and learned man. I know that Patrick would have wanted his carefully selected team to continue his legacy at Stewarts and we will do our very best to respect this ambition. Patrick’s passing has affected us deeply. He will be sorely missed.”
Patrick, born 22 September 1955, died 28 February 2019 at St Thomas’ Hospital, London following a brain aneurysm.
