Patrick S. Fragel is a seasoned criminal defence lawyer based in Traverse City, Michigan. With more than 25 years of experience, he has become a respected voice in Michigan’s legal community.
His journey began long before his time in the courtroom. As a United States Army veteran, he carried with him a strong sense of discipline, resilience, and focus—qualities that would shape his legal career.
Fragel began his legal work as a prosecutor. This early role gave him insight into how the state builds its cases. Yet it also revealed the imbalances that defendants often face. Driven by a sense of fairness, he chose to become a defence attorney. “When you sit on the prosecutor’s side, you see how much leverage the state has,” he explains. “I decided I wanted to use my experience to balance that scale.”
Over the years, Fragel has guided countless clients through Michigan’s complex legal system. His firm, Patrick S. Fragel, Attorney at Law, P.C., is known for approaching every case as if it were going to trial. He has secured numerous acquittals and “not guilty” verdicts, earning him recognition as one of the state’s leading defence attorneys.
Outside of work, Fragel is committed to maintaining physical and mental stamina. He is an avid runner, having competed in the Marquette Half-Marathon and local 5K races, and uses weightlifting to stay sharp. His approach to both life and law is grounded in preparation, fairness, and endurance.
In Conversation with Patrick S. Fragel: Discipline, Defence, and Fairness
Q: You began your career in the Army before entering the legal world. How did your military service shape you as a lawyer?
A: The Army taught me how to stay calm under pressure. In the field, you don’t have the option of panic—you focus, you act. That same mindset is crucial in the courtroom. Trials can be unpredictable, but if you remain steady, you can make clear decisions even when the stakes are high.
Q: After your service, you became a prosecutor. What drew you to that side of the law at first?
A: As a young lawyer, prosecution felt like the natural starting point. You’re representing the state, learning how cases are built. It gave me a strong foundation in procedure and strategy. But over time, I realised defendants were often outmatched. The state has resources and leverage that the average person doesn’t. That imbalance is what pushed me to move into defence.
Q: What was the biggest shift in mindset when you transitioned to defence work?
A: It was about perspective. As a prosecutor, you see the evidence through the state’s lens. As a defence lawyer, you look for the gaps, the overlooked details, the human side of the case. It made me see justice differently. For me, it’s not just about punishment—it’s about fairness.
Q: With over 25 years of practice, what lessons stand out to you the most?
A: Preparation is everything. You can’t control every twist in a case, but you can control how ready you are. At my firm, we treat every case as if it’s going to trial. That mindset means you never cut corners, and it shows in the results.
Q: You’ve secured many acquittals and not guilty verdicts. What does success look like for you?
A: Success is when a client feels they’ve had a fair chance. Winning is important, of course, but so is making sure someone’s voice was heard, their side was presented fully, and they weren’t steamrolled by the system.
Q: Michigan’s criminal justice system is complex. What challenges do you see most often?
A: Consistency. Every courtroom is different, every judge is different. A strategy that works in one county may not work in another. You have to adapt constantly. That’s where experience comes in—it teaches you how to read the room, the case, and the system itself.
Q: Outside of law, you’re known for your running and weightlifting. How do those habits connect to your legal work?
A: Running clears my head. Weightlifting keeps me sharp. Courtroom work can mean long hours, high stress, and intense focus. Fitness gives me the stamina to keep going. It’s also a reminder that discipline is daily. Just like in law, you can’t expect results without putting in the work.
Q: What advice would you give to young lawyers entering criminal defence?
A: Don’t underestimate preparation, and don’t forget the people you represent. Every case is someone’s life. Remember that, and you’ll never lose sight of why this work matters.
Q: Looking ahead, what drives you to keep practising after decades in the field?
A: Every case is different, every client brings a new story. That’s what keeps me going. The stakes don’t get smaller, but the experience helps me handle them better. For me, this isn’t just a career—it’s a calling.
Read more:
Patrick Fragel on Balancing Fairness and Defence in Michigan
