Diane B. Patrick, Esq.

Diane Bemus Patrick is co-managing partner of Ropes & Gray’s Boston office. With over thirty years of experience, she represents employers primarily in the healthcare and higher education sectors.

Growing up in Bedford-Stuyvesant in a politically-active family, Diane taught elementary school for five years, until caught up in the public worker layoffs during New York City’s 1976-77 bankruptcy. 

Heading west to study at Loyola Law School in Los Angeles, “I was naïve about what actually being a lawyer involved, “ Diane notes. “But I discovered labor and employment law, and realized I prefer conciliation to litigation.” Her outstanding academic performance won her an American Jurisprudence Award and the Outstanding Graduate Award. Earning her JD in 1980, she was in private practice until taking a position with Harvard’s Office of General Counsel before becoming Harvard’s Director/Associate Vice President for Human Resources. in 1995, Diane became a partner at Ropes & Gray. 

“I recruited Diane for Ropes & Gray,” explains Nelson Ross (CGA ’01), “and she went on to be our first managing partner, an extraordinary achievement. She is so much more than a fine lawyer. She has meant so much to the firm as a role model, mentor, advisor, and counselor to our lawyers and staff workers. She draws people because she is so approachable, warm, and wise.”

“Over 15 years, I’ve sat across from Diane Patrick in Wellesley College negotiations with their union dining, custodial, grounds and trades services,” says Shelley Kroll (CGA ’14) of Segal Roitman. “I’ve never encountered a more sincere, hard-working or honest management attorney. What is special about Diane is her ability to zealously advocate for her client while showing concern for the union’s members. She listens and makes sure workers feel heard.”

“In my 35 years (knock on wood), I’ve never had a strike, “ Diane notes. “I’ve been fortunate to deal with very good clients, employees, and labor reps. I can honestly say that I loved every day of my job.” 

Diane and her husband Deval Patrick, Esq, have two daughters, Sarah and Katherine, and a grandson Gianluca Noah Patrick Morgese, Sarah’s 4-year-old son.