Northrop Law PLLC

Patricia (Pat) Northrop is the founder and principal of Northrop Law PLLC. She launched the firm in 2025, following 25+ years of experience spanning private practice, government, and in-house roles.​

 

As a Fractional General Counsel (FGC), Pat handles the full spectrum of legal issues that a company may confront, from routine contracts to unexpected claims. A business owner herself, Pat understands the challenges – and joys – of forging your own path and building your business. Her experience in-house and with her own businesses helps her discern the practical path forward to “yes” in complex situations.​

 

In addition to general FGC services, Pat leverages her extensive legal background in media and non-profits to advise media entities, arts and cultural organizations, content creators and 501(c)(3) organizations on issues specific to those organizations and individuals.​  (See our Services page for more information on the services we offer.)

 

Prior to founding her own practice, Pat was the General Counsel for two nonprofits in the media space, including NJ PBS, New Jersey’s public television network. During her 10-year tenure at NJ PBS, she served as newsroom counsel to its broadcast and digital news teams, worked closely with the Board of Trustees, supported the Finance, Development and Communications teams and handled all legal matters for the organization, from routine to rare. Before NJ PBS, she served as an Assistant Attorney General in the Charities Bureau of the New York State Attorney General’s Office. Pat began her career as a litigation associate at Davis Polk & Wardwell and subsequently at the boutique litigation practice of Richards Kibbe & Orbe (now part of Perkins Coie).​

 

Pat received her J.D. cum laude from Duke Law School, where she was an Articles Editor for the Duke Law Journal. She later studied tax-exempt organizations and charitable giving in the acclaimed graduate tax law program at NYU Law School. Pat received her B.A. cum laude from The College of William & Mary, where she was a James Monroe Scholar and studied abroad in Florence, Italy.

​

Following her graduation from Duke Law, Pat clerked for the Hon. Deanell Reece Tacha, U.S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit.
​

Pat is active in professional organizations related to both the media and nonprofit sides of her practice, serving at various times as a member of the New York State Bar Association’s Media Law Committee; its Task Force on Free Expression in the Digital Age; the Media Law Resource Center’s Media Deals Committee (Vice Chair); the Government Relations Council of Non-Profit New York; and the Non-Profit Organizations Committee of the New York City Bar Association. She has taught media-related courses at Fordham Law School and at Duke Law School’s Winter Session.

​

Outside of practicing law, Pat’s other professional passion is the specialty food industry. She is the founder and owner of Sweet Talk Chocolates, a retail business offering a curated selection of bean-to-bar craft chocolate and in-person tasting events.

​

Pat believes in giving back and is active in community service. She has been a longtime volunteer and leader with the tri-state Duke Alumni community, currently serving as a member of the Duke New York Regional Alumni Board and the co-chair of its Nominating Committee. She previously served as co-chair of the Duke New York Women’s Forum, where she led programming and events for alumnae across the tri-state region. Pat also serves on the vestry of Grace Church Madison (NJ), where she is a member of the Finance and Hospitality committees.

​

Pat lives in Chatham, New Jersey with her husband, teenage son and a very energetic yellow Lab. She enjoys yoga, travel, hiking, cooking and baking (especially if it involves chocolate!).