Patrick William Waters

Patrick William Waters

4.0
Rating: 9.9

Licensed for 17 years

Criminal defense Lawyer at Bismarck, ND
Practice Areas: Criminal Defense, Family, DUI & DWI ... +3 more

418 N 2nd Street, Bismarck, ND

About Patrick

Biography

Practice Areas

6

Practice Areas

Criminal Defense 45%

Facing criminal charges in North Dakota can be overwhelming. At Heartland Law Office, we provide aggressive and strategic criminal defense for individuals accused of misdemeanors, felonies, drug crimes, violent offenses, and more.

45%
Family 25%

Family legal matters are often emotional and complex. Our family law attorneys at Heartland Law Office understand the challenges you face and offer compassionate, effective representation in child custody, child support, parental rights and more.

25%
DUI and DWI 15%

If you’ve been charged with DUI or APC in North Dakota, you need an experienced defense attorney immediately. At Heartland Law Office, we understand the stakes—license suspension, fines, jail time—and we know how to fight back.

15%
Business 5%

Heartland Law Office offers comprehensive legal services for businesses in Bismarck and throughout North Dakota. Whether you’re starting a new company, negotiating contracts, facing commercial disputes, or seeking guidance with your business.

5%
Estate Planning 5%

< Back Estate Planning Secure your legacy and protect your family’s future with customized estate planning solutions from Heartland Law Office. We assist clients in Bismarck and across North Dakota with wills, trusts, powers of attorney, and more.

5%
Guardianship 5%

When a loved one is no longer able to care for themselves, establishing guardianship can be a critical step. Heartland Law Office assists clients throughout North Dakota with adult and minor guardianship proceedings, conservatorships, and more.

5%

Fees and Rates

We have not found any cost information for this lawyer


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Licenses

Licensed in North Dakota for 9 years

State: North Dakota

Acquired: 2016

Authorized to Practice Law

No misconduct found

Licensed in Wisconsin for 17 years

State: Wisconsin

Acquired: 2008

Resigned

No misconduct found

Location

Heartland Law Office

418 N 2nd Street, Bismarck, ND, 58504

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Patrick William Waters's Reviews

Avvo Review Score

4.0 /5.0

4 Client Reviews

5 star (3)
4 star (0)
3 star (0)
2 star (0)
1 star (1)

Posted by Alicia | July 10, 2025 | Consulted Attorney

This review is from a potential client who consulted with this attorney.

Divorce review

I paid $200.00 for what I was told would be an hour appointment. He was in the room a total of 22 minutes. $100/11 minutes. My understanding when setting up the appointment was my questions on what I want to fight for would be answered or if it was possible or what to do from this point on regarding ...a divorce (1st divorce). I feel as if I paid 200 to just meet him. The questions I was able to ask were answered with "its up to the judge". I feel as if he was not even willing to listen but made it clear that it will cost up to 30 thousand. I am fighting for my kids and dont have 200 to waste like this.

Posted by Ben | June 14, 2025 | Hired Attorney

This review is from a person who hired this attorney.

Best Lawyer in Minot North Dakota

If you're looking for the best DUI defense attorney in Minot or anywhere in North Dakota, look no further than Heartland Law Office. I can honestly say they are one of the most professional and top-rated lawyers in the state. From the first consultation, I felt like I was in good hands. Patrick Water...s is not just a knowledgeable criminal defense lawyer—he’s someone who truly cares about his clients and works tirelessly to protect their rights. I was facing a serious DUI charge and felt overwhelmed and unsure of my future. Patrick took the time to explain everything clearly and provided a solid defense strategy that ultimately led to a favorable outcome. His expertise in North Dakota DUI laws, courtroom procedures, and negotiation tactics made a huge difference in my case. Heartland Law Office isn’t just some big law firm where you’re treated like a case number—they’re responsive, trustworthy, and deeply rooted in the community. They’ve helped people in Bismarck, Minot, Williston, Dickinson, Jamestown, Indian reservations, and throughout the state with everything from criminal defense to more complex legal issues. If you need a criminal defense lawyer in Minot or anywhere in North Dakota, I highly recommend Heartland Law. They are the real deal—professional, experienced, and genuinely committed to fighting for their clients.

Posted by anonymous | June 6, 2020 | Hired Attorney

This review is from a person who hired this attorney.

Highly Recommend!

He explained everything throughout the process and he got me a great result! I'm very pleased and have referred him to my friends and family!

Posted by Carla | May 1, 2020 | Hired Attorney

This review is from a person who hired this attorney.

One of the best!

Atty Patrick Waters is by far one of the best lawyers based on my firsthand experience when I hired him as my legal counsel. He really takes his time to listen to the client and gives you his knowledge about the case and his expert opinion on it. He doesn't sugarcoat anything so rest assured you will... get truthful and unbiased feedbacl. He provided me with answers to my questions. In addition to this, his demeanor was very accommodating and friendly and you don't get that from most lawyers. I felt very at ease the whole time I had lengthy dicussions with him either through the phone or in person. He was a powerhouse and a formidable lawyer during trials. Because of his knowledge and expertise, I won my case which he had already had foresight of even before the verdict came out. I would highly recommend him to anyone I know needing legal counsel on areas that he practices. Best of all, his rates are very affordable.

See All Client Reviews

Patrick William Waters's Lawyer Endorsements

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Experience

Rating:  9.9 (Superb)

Honors

2025

Top 100 Trial Lawyers, National Trial Lawyers

2024

Top 100 Trial Lawyers, National Trial Lawyers

2024

Top 100 Trial Lawyers, National Trial Lawyers

2024

Best Trial Lawyer in America, National Institute of Trial Lawyers

2023

Top 100 Trial Lawyers, National Trial Lawyers

2023

Lawyers of Disctinction, Lawyers of Distinction

2022

Top 100 Trial Lawyers, National Trial Lawyers

2021

Top 100 Trial Lawyers, National Trial Lawyers

2020

Top 100 Trial Lawyers, National Trial Lawyers

2020

Lawyers of Distriction, Lawyers of Distinction

2019

Top 100 Trial Lawyers, National Trial Lawyers

2018

Top 100 Trial Lawyers, National Trial Lawyers

Work Experience

2023 - Present

State's Attorney, Oliver County, North Dakota

2018 - Present

Owner and Attorney at Law, Heartland Law Office, PC

2017 - 2018

Assistant State's Attorney, Burleigh County

2016 - 2017

Lead Attorney, State of North Dakota

Associations

2023 - Present

North Dakota State's Attorney's Association

Member

2016 - Present

State Bar Association of North Dakota

Member

2016 - Present

National State's Attorney's Association

Member

2012 - Present

National Association of Criminal Defense Attorneys

Member

2008 - Present

American Bar Association

Member

2017 - 2018

Salvation Army

Board Member

2015 - 2016

Wisconsin Association of Treatment Court Professionals

Treasurer

2015 - 2016

Eau Claire County Allegiance Against Substance Use

Board Member

2015 - 2016

Wisconsin State Public Defender Affirmative Action Advisory Committee

Board Member

2013 - 2016

Eau Claire County Mental Health Treatment Court

Board Member

2008 - 2016

State Bar of Wisconsin

Member

Sample of Legal Cases

Kinden vs. Kinden

Won on Appeal

See More Legal Cases

Education

2007

DePaul University

J.D.

1999

University of Minnesota

BA - Bachelor of Arts

Speaking Engagements

2018

State of North Dakota Public Defender's Summer Conference

Legal Research

2012

Wisconsin Public Defender Conference - 2012

Domestic Violence

Languages

English

Activity

Avvo Rating

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  • Experience & background Years licensed, work experience, education
  • Legal community recognition Peer endorsements, associations, awards
  • Legal thought leadership Publications, speaking engagements
  • Discipline Disciplinary information may not be comprehensive, or updated. We recommend that you always check a lawyer's disciplinary status with their respective state bar association before hiring them.
Avvo Rating Levels
10.0 - 9.0 Superb8.9 - 8.0 Excellent7.9 - 7.0 Very Good6.9 - 6.0 Good5.9 - 5.0 Average4.9 - 4.0 Concern3.9 - 3.0 Caution2.9 - 2.0 Strong Caution1.9 - 1.0 Extreme Caution