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


Looking for an attorney? Avvo can help.

search module image

Search our directory

Quickly connect with top attorneys through our legal directory to get help with your legal issue.

chat module image

Avvo's live chat agents can help coordinate a consultation with a local attorney.

Chat with a live agent who can match you with the right attorney for your legal needs.

Chat with

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

Ad

Transform legal challenges into solutions.

Connect now to review your situation.

The Avvo Rating explained

display-bg

The Avvo Rating explained

Patrick William Waters's Reviews

Avvo Review Score

4.0 /5.0

4 Client Reviews

Filter Avvo Reviews (4) Refine reviews to match your needs. Use the filters to quickly surface reviews that align with your case or priorities.
Star rating
5 stars 3
4 stars 0
3 stars 0
2 stars 0
1 star 1

Showing 1 - 1 of 1 review | 1 star

Posted by Alicia | July 10, 2025 | Child Custody

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.

See All Client Reviews

Patrick William Waters's Lawyer Endorsements

Endorse Patrick

No Endorsement Data Available Yet
This attorney hasn't received any attorney endorsements recently on Avvo.

No Endorsement Data Available Yet
This attorney hasn't created any attorney endorsements recently on Avvo.

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

Our Rating is calculated using information the lawyer has included on their profile in addition to the information we collect from state bar associations and other organizations that license legal professionals. Attorneys who claim their profiles and provide Avvo with more information tend to have a higher rating than those who do not.

What determines Avvo Rating?
  • 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