In 2004 Patterson became a lobbyist for Goldman Sachs, with the position of Vice President (2004-2007), and Managing Director (2007-2008). Patterson left Goldman Sachs in April 2008, after which he served as a volunteer for the Obama-Biden presidential campaign, and as the Senate Confirmation Coordinator for the Obama-Biden Presidential Transition Project. Upon the confirmation of Barack Obama as President, Patterson was in February 2009 appointed chief of staff to the Secretary of the Treasury. In 2013, the recently appointed Treasury Secretary Jack Lew announced Patterson's replacement as Treasury chief of staff. Patterson worked as a partner in Perkins Coie's Washington, D.C. office before joining Senator Schumer's team in May 2018.