Patrick Keane was awarded the degree of BA by the University of Queensland in 1973. In 1976 he was awarded the degree of LL.B. (Hons.) with First Class Honours and the University Medal in law. In 1977, he was awarded the degree of B.C.L. (Oxon.) with First Class Honours, and the Vinerian Scholarship and J.H.C. Morris Prize.
In December 1977 he was admitted as a Barrister of the Supreme Court of Queensland appearing principally in commercial and constitutional cases. In November 1988, he was appointed Queen's Counsel. From 1992 to 2005 he was Solicitor-General for Queensland. On 21 February 2005 he was appointed to the bench of the Court of Appeal, Supreme Court of Queensland. On 22 March 2010 he was appointed Chief Justice of the Federal Court of Australia. On 8 December 2011, he was awarded the degree of Doctor of Laws honoris causa by the University of Queensland. On 1 March 2013, he was appointed to the High Court of Australia.
Justice Keane was appointed a Companion in the General Division of the Order of Australia in 2015.