Carl Harrap (Photo via LinkedIn)
Crikey, mates! It seems that a prominent patent partner from Down Under has been accused of grabbing a jogger down under.
Please note the UPDATE below.
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Carl Harrap, a former associate at Herbert Smith Freehills who recently became a partner at FPA Patent Attorneys — an intellectual property spinoff of Freehills that opened its doors just prior to the firm’s merger with Herbert Smith in 2012 — has been charged with indecent assault. According to local sources, on December 28, Harrap allegedly jumped out of some bushes on a jogging track near Sydney’s north shore and grabbed a young woman’s crotch. Onlookers are said to have restrained Harrap until police arrived on scene to arrest him.
Per the The Daily Telegraph, Harrap is being represented by Joseph Nashed, a Sydney-based defense lawyer. Nashed has refused to comment on his client’s case.
Harrap was released from custody on conditional bail, but will appear for a hearing two weeks from today. The Am Law Daily has more on Harrap’s future with FPA:
When asked whether Harrap will continue practicing with the firm, FPA said it respects the legal process and privacy of the individuals involved, and will not comment until this case has been resolved. Harrap is still listed on the firm’s website.
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Best of luck to Carl Harrap as he defends himself against these charges.
UPDATE (07/21/17): Carl Harrap has been cleared of all charges, after testifying that he “collided” with the woman by accident in an attempt to pass her on a narrow stairway.
Former Herbert Smith Freehills Lawyer Charged With Assault in Sydney [Am Law Daily]
Top patent attorney Carl Harrap charged with indecent assault after allegedly grabbing female jogger on the crotch [Daily Telegraph]
Staci Zaretsky is an editor at Above the Law. She’d love to hear from you, so feel free to email her with any tips, questions, or comments. You can follow her on Twitter or connect with her on LinkedIn.