Patrick Higgerty

Patrick Higgerty, 66, finds himself at the center of a vortex of criminal allegations and personal misfortunes in Calgary. The former lawyer and one-time justice of the peace is facing serious charges including sexual assault, public indecency, and harassment. These troubling accusations have surfaced concurrently with issues of financial misconduct within his now-defunct legal practice, complicating his already precarious situation.

Higgerty's legal problems stem from incidents alleged to have occurred in 2018 and 2019. The law firm he once led has fallen into disarray following revelations that an employee allegedly diverted more than $400,000 from client accounts. 

With his professional credentials suspended by a custodianship order from the Law Society, Higgerty is barred from practicing law as he gears up for his 2024 court appearances to confront these charges.

Harassed and abused by police officers

His past as a defender of individuals claiming to have been harassed and abused by police officers starkly contrasts with his current legal battles. Higgerty was prominently involved in a notable class action lawsuit against the police, advocating for women who faced workplace harassment and abuse. 

The irony of his present circumstances is not lost on his legal team, with his attorney, Alain Hepner, highlighting the complexities involved in preparing for a defence given the background and severity of the accusations.

The charges laid against the lawyer include separate incidents of harassment and committing indecent acts in public, which allegedly took place over two years. Specific allegations of stalking have been made for actions purported to have occurred in 2022, involving a woman known to Higgerty and another unidentified party linked to the case.

Two violent incidents

Further complicating his defence are two violent incidents from late 2021 that have introduced an element of personal threat into the mix. These attacks, described in court proceedings as targeted and possibly related to his legal work, have had a profound impact on Patrick Higgerty's life. His physical safety was breached when assailants violently confronted him outside his home, an act that was followed by another aggressive intrusion by three men intending to harm him.

These physical assaults coincided with the financial turmoil at his firm, where significant funds were misappropriated from trust accounts. This financial bleeding contributed to the firm's eventual collapse, leading to a court-ordered receivership to manage the remaining assets. Higgerty has suggested that these orchestrated attacks were designed to intimidate him and are linked to the broader challenges facing his career.

As he prepares for his upcoming trials, Higgerty must navigate the legal ramifications of his past actions alongside new allegations. The former advocate finds his previous legal victories overshadowed by current accusations, painting a complex portrait of a man whose professional highs are marred by lows that challenge his integrity and legal acumen.

Former Lawyer Faces Trials Over Sexual Assault

The disarray of his professional life is mirrored by personal and financial crises. After the assaults, Higgerty experienced a significant decline in mental and financial stability, describing the subsequent period as a "downward spiral." The stress exacerbated by these compounded troubles has taken a toll, affecting his ability to mount a robust defence against the charges he now faces.

The legal battles ahead for Patrick Higgerty are not just about clearing his name but also about reclaiming some semblance of the respect and stability he once enjoyed. The courtroom will serve as the arena where the full details of the allegations against him will be scrutinized, and where Higgerty will have the opportunity to address the claims laid out in the stark light of judicial oversight.

As the date of his trial approaches, the layers of Patrick Higgerty’s past and present will be peeled back in court. Accusations of sexual misconduct are particularly poignant given his previous role as an advocate against such behaviours. The outcomes of these trials will undoubtedly influence the final chapters of his career and legacy.

Patrick Higgerty: Financial Misconduct Charges

Higgerty’s situation is a dramatic fall from grace that highlights the often unpredictable and precarious nature of life, especially when it intersects with the legal system and public opinion. His journey from a respected lawyer to a defendant in a criminal case underscores the complex interplay between personal actions and professional consequences.

As the legal processes unfold, the community and Patrick Higgerty's peers will watch closely, ready to see how justice will reconcile the public figure they knew with the serious allegations he now faces. The coming months will be pivotal for Higgerty, as he seeks to navigate his legal and personal crises under the watchful eyes of the public and the law.