Patrick Barthet

Founder (1948-2023) | The Barthet Firm

In Memoriam

Patrick Barthet was born in Malta, a small island nation south of Italy, and immigrated to the United States at the age of seven. He grew up in Brooklyn, New York, where he later met his future wife, Rebecca, while attending Fordham University. After graduating, he became an English teacher for high school students in New York City while pursuing his Master’s degree in English. Rebecca’s father, who was not particularly fond of Patrick, moved her to Miami, but Patrick remained undeterred. He followed her to Florida, and the two eventually married.

Together, they built a life in Miami, where Patrick was introduced to both construction and entrepreneurship. His career began as a proofreader at an engineering firm before transitioning into roles as a project manager for a developer and a builder of speculative homes. Over time, he accumulated nearly a dozen rental properties. Always seeking new opportunities, he attended law school at night while working as a firm administrator at a prestigious law firm in Downtown Miami. Through hard work and determination, he rose through the ranks to become a shareholder and senior partner. In addition to his legal career, he developed a paralegal certification program, which he successfully licensed and sold to several universities.

Amidst his many professional ventures, Patrick and Rebecca raised their two children, Nicole and Alexander. Although they did not always see eye to eye, they remained a strong team, both in business and in family life.

In 1995, Patrick founded his own law firm. That same year, his son, Alexander, joined him after graduating from engineering school. Alexander worked alongside him while attending law school, gaining invaluable experience under his father’s mentorship. Patrick was not only a highly skilled attorney and shrewd negotiator but also a charismatic leader and accomplished business owner. For 25 years, father and son regularly shared meals to discuss their clients' cases, firm management, family matters, and life in general. Patrick imparted his wisdom in subtle ways—words of advice that often gained greater significance over time.

Never one to slow down, Patrick took on new roles and responsibilities throughout his career. In 2008, he was appointed Honorary Consul of Malta, and in 2015, he founded the Miami Construction Forum, a monthly lunch-and-learn series for industry professionals. He was a gifted writer, known for his persuasive legal filings and numerous articles published in trade and legal journals. He also authored content for LienZone.com and personally curated every edition of Key Issues, the firm's quarterly newsletter, selecting the graphics and layout with meticulous attention to detail.

Those who knew Patrick well were familiar with his personal motto: "always forward." Regardless of obstacles or setbacks, he remained steadfast in his belief in perseverance. This mindset was particularly evident following his diagnosis of Myelofibrosis, a rare blood and bone marrow cancer, 20 years ago. Initially, doctors estimated he had 10 to 13 years to live. On multiple occasions, after receiving discouraging test results, he was advised to prepare his affairs. Yet, he continued to defy expectations, prompting his doctors to abandon predictions altogether.

Patrick’s wife, children, grandchildren, extended family, clients, and friends are grateful for the extra years they had with him—years in which he continued to inspire those around him. He passed away surrounded by his wife and children. A private service was held with his immediate family. In lieu of flowers, donations in his name may be made to The Center for Great Apes in Wauchula, Florida, a nonprofit organization where Patrick served on the board of directors for many years.

Background

Education

B.A., 1968, Fordham University
M.A., 1971, New York University
J.D., 1979, University of Miami

Admissions

Florida’s state courts
U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida

Recognition, Awards And Certifications

AV Preeminent rated by Martindale Hubbell
Honorary Consul of Malta
Founder, Miami Construction Forum

Publications, Presentations And Professional Activities

“Satisfaction of Lien Generally Requires Payment of Legal Fees”, ConstructionExec.com (January 2021)
"Think Twice Before Walking Off a Job", ConstructionExec.com (December 2020)
“Substantial Completion Defined”, ConstructionExec.com (September 2020)
“The Accepted Work Doctrine: Something Every Contractor Should Be Aware Of”, ConstructionExec.com (June 2020)
“The Right Forum Selection Clause Can Make a Difference in Legal Disputes”, ConstructionExec.com (April 2020)
“Here’s Trouble”, Professional Remodeler (February 2020)
“Ethics and Safety Responsibilities in Construction”, Commercial Construction & Renovation (December 2019)
“Indemnification Clauses: Is Yours Enforceable”, Equipment & Contracting Magazine (November 2019)
“What Should be in Every Construction Agreement”, ConstructionExec.com (October 2019)
“Terminating a Contract”, Professional Remodeler (October 2019)
“Contract Signatures: How Many Do You Need”, Professional Remodeler (July 2019)
“How to Reduce the Risk of Vandals Graffiti Tagging Your Construction Site”, Construction Junkie, LLC (July 2019)
“Can You Be Held Criminally Liable for a Workplace Injury”, Construction Junkie, LLC (July 2019)
“Paid in Full”, Professional Remodeler (May 2019)
“Is Arbitration Right for You?”, Professional Remodeler (April 2019)
“Here Are 4 Ways to Handle Construction Disputes”, Construction Today Magazine (April 2019)
“How to Transfer Some of That Risk”, ConstructionExec.com (April 2019)
“Daily Reporting: How To Do It Right”, ClockShark (February 2019)
“Reducing Liability When Building Net Zero”, Energy & Environmental Building Alliance (February 2019)
“Releases Can Be Your Friend”, Commercial Construction & Renovation (January 2019)
“What is a Fraudulent Lien”, eSub Construction Software (January 2019)
“You're It! Graffiti Tagging of Construction Equipment”, Construction Junkie, LLC (January 2019)
“No Written Change Order”, Journal of Light Construction (September 2014)
“Why Use a ‘Time Is of the Essence’ Provision”, Journal of Light Construction (June 2014)
“Giving Back What You’ve Earned: Resisting Preference Claims, The Contractor’s Compass”, Journal of the American Subcontractor Association (June 2014)
“Paid in Full – Really”, Journal of Light Construction (May 2014)
“Business Resources Disappearing Before Your Eyes, The Contractor’s Compass”, Journal of the American Subcontractor Association (May 2014)
“Oops was that 100 or 1,000 feet: Who Made the Mistake”, Journal of Light Construction (April 2014)
“Are You Prepared? Surviving an OSHA Inspection”, Commercial Construction & Renovation (February 2014)
“Lien On”, Journal of Light Construction (November 2013)
“Sales Agreement Specifics”, Journal of Light Construction (September 2013)