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One of the coolest things Patrick Duggan has experienced in his legal career, he says, is the adrenaline rush from winning a jury trial.
The stakes in many trials — he had at least 40 over five years — was high: Duggan was a prosecutor for the State Attorney’s office in the 12th Judicial Circuit, which includes Sarasota and Manatee counties. Convictions included defendants in shooting cases and other violent crimes.
After five years as a prosecutor, Duggan, staying in law enforcement, changed jobs in 2009. He joined the Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office, where he now helps oversee a team of attorneys. Although he’s not putting away bad guys, Duggan relishes his ability to help the people who put away bad guys. The Sheriff’s office has an annual operating budget of nearly $100 million, with 1,000 employees and responsibility for 1,000 jail inmates. Says Duggan: “I like that we have a say in the safety of the community.”
Duggan’s work on a day-to-day basis varies. It includes litigating lawsuits, drafting policy and writing training manuals. It’s a no-day-is-the-same kind of job. “We touch every part of the law,” says Duggan, a Boston native who grew up mostly in Sarasota. “It’s very diverse.”
— Mark Gordon
Name: Patrick Duggan
Age: 37
City of residence: Lakewood Ranch
Twitter handle: N/A
Employer: The Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office
Title: Senior assistant general counsel
Birthplace: Boston, Mass.
Years on the Gulf Coast: 25
Marital status/children: Married (wife Erin) with two children, Brett, 8, and William, 5.
Alma mater: The University of Florida and The Stetson University College of Law
Best place to network: Geckos Grill & Pub on Hillview Street in Sarasota.
Coolest business experience: The adrenaline rush from winning a jury trial.
The most important business lesson I’ve learned: Your word and integrity are what’s most important.
One website that makes your job easier: scotusblog.com
One community group you’re most involved with: The Ringling College Library Association Town Hall Lecture Series
Favorite off-hours activity: Reading with my boys.
Two people, dead or alive, you’d like to have dinner with: Jackie Robinson and Paul McCartney
What you would be doing if you could pick another career: United States Marine Corps
Most adventurous thing you’ve ever done: Travelled for a month to Europe by myself in my early twenties.
What’s at the top of your bucket list: Manchester United vs. Manchester City at Old Trafford.
What new skill would you like to learn: The ability to make my wife laugh out loud from actual humor more than I currently do.
Who would play you in a movie about your life: Gerard Butler
If I had a magic wand I’d: Make everyone take themselves a little less seriously.
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