Patrick "Cade" Spivey

Patrick “Cade” Spivey is an associate in Burr & Forman’s Commercial Litigation practice group whose practice spans intellectual property litigation, construction disputes, contract and business litigation, and other complex commercial matters. He represents clients in high-stakes disputes with a particular emphasis on matters involving technical subject matter, sophisticated business operations, and industry-specific fact patterns.

Cade is particularly well positioned to represent technology-oriented businesses, patent owners, and companies facing technically complex disputes because he combines litigation experience with a broad technical foundation, practical mechanical aptitude, and a builder’s mindset. He is the son of a 50-year mechanic and grew up helping his father in the garage, an experience that gave him an early fluency with how things are designed, built, repaired, and made to work in the real world. In his off-time, Cade designs and develops legal practice software and internal systems, giving him practical insight into software architecture, product development, workflow design, and the operational realities that often sit beneath technical and business disputes. That perspective strengthens his representation of clients in patent infringement matters, construction and contract disputes, and general business litigation where systems, process design, data flows, and technical decision-making are often central to the case. 

His IP experience includes patent litigation on both the plaintiff and defense side, including matters involving communications, medical device, prosthetics, and manufacturing-related technologies. He also served as the lead technical associate in a patent infringement case that resulted in a nearly $23 million verdict for the client. More broadly, his litigation experience includes complex commercial disputes, construction litigation, and other matters requiring disciplined factual development, technical comprehension, and strategic advocacy.

Before joining Burr & Forman, Cade represented insurers and employers in proceedings involving the Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act, the Defense Base Act, and the Florida Workers’ Compensation Act. Earlier in his career, he represented service members, civilians, and defense contractors in disciplinary proceedings, including security-clearance hearings and appeals, and also advocated for veterans in discharge upgrades and military-records corrections. Across those roles, he developed substantial experience managing complex records, technical facts, and high stakes matters with precision and discipline.  

Cade earned his J.D. from Wake Forest University School of Law, where he participated in the Veterans Legal Clinic and the Veterans Assistance Legal Organization (VALOR) and served as a research assistant. He earned his B.S. in History, with merit, from the United States Naval Academy, where he also received a language study minor in Spanish. Although his major was in history, his academic record reflects substantial quantitative and technical coursework, including calculus, statistics, physics, electrical engineering fundamentals and applications, electronic communications and digital communications, and propulsion. His Naval Academy record also reflects strong academic performance and leadership distinction.    

Before law school, Cade served as a Surface Warfare Officer in the United States Navy. During his naval service, he led sailors and tactical teams in demanding operational environments and held responsibilities involving shipboard weapons systems, engineering, damage control, emergency response, antiterrorism, counter-piracy operations, and ballistic missile defense. He served aboard guided missile destroyers, was regularly top-ranked across multiple commands, and developed the calm, disciplined, mission-focused approach that continues to shape his litigation practice.  

Cade is active in his community as a member of the Gilmer County Chamber of Commerce and as a mentor for the Gilmer County High School Student Mentorship Program. Outside the office, he enjoys handy-man projects around the house, spending time outdoors in the mountains and rivers of northern Georgia, exploring local breweries and vineyards, and spending quality couch time with his partner, Willow, and rescue dog, Jim.

• The Florida Bar
• Jacksonville Veterans Treatment Court (2021-Present)
• Business Wellness Symposium Speaker/Member (2023-Present)
• Robert Williams Inns of Court (2022-Present)
• Friends of 440 (2022 – Present)

Legal Practice Assistant

Cassaundra Gallagher
(904) 232-7241
cgallagher@burr.com