Penis Grabs, Christmas Chaos and Career Fallout For Lawyer
The lawyer at the centre of a now-infamous tribunal ruling for drunken misconduct at two law firm Christmas parties has gone public, admitting his “outrageous” actions and expressing deep regret.
Christmas party fallout
Former Buddle Findlay partner Patrick Herd Mulligan has publicly identified himself as the lawyer suspended for 15 months over “outrageous” conduct at two 2020 Christmas parties. Mulligan admitted to serious misconduct, including inappropriate sexual comments and behaviour, and says he will not appeal the disciplinary tribunal’s decision. He apologised, citing alcohol misuse and stress, and hopes to return to practice after his suspension ends in October 2026.
Former Buddle Findlay partner Patrick Herd Mulligan has confirmed he is the previously anonymised “Mr ZKA” whose name suppression lifted at 5pm Tuesday. The Lawyers & Conveyancers Disciplinary Tribunal earlier this month handed him a 15-month suspension for serious misconduct.
His name was kept suppressed to give him time to appeal the decision. He was working with Buddle Findlay before the two cases of inappropriate behaviour at two parties run by the firm in 2020 were made public.
The tribunal found Mulligan engaged in deeply inappropriate behaviour at two 2020 end-of-year events, including grabbing a junior solicitor’s penis in front of colleagues and making sexually charged remarks to and about other staff. His conduct, while not deemed predatory, was described as “completely out of control” and littered with “sexual elements”.
In a public statement released through his lawyer Dan Hughes, Mulligan said he had decided not to appeal the tribunal’s findings or penalty.
“After some reflection, I have decided not to appeal the liability and penalty decisions of the tribunal,” he said.
“I want to again apologise to those affected by my behaviour at two staff Christmas events in 2020, while I was under the influence of alcohol.”
The tribunal heard of multiple lewd incidents, including Mulligan telling a female summer clerk that a colleague was “definitely gay” and speculating that his wife was “probably hiring people to give it to her.”
At the second party – themed around the nativity – Mulligan dressed as a shepherd and prodded the same summer clerk with a six-foot bamboo crook, an act she said felt like being “poked up the bottom.”
He also touched a male summer clerk’s buttocks using the crook and his hand, continuing what the tribunal viewed as a pattern of inappropriate conduct.
Mulligan acknowledged the impact on colleagues and family.
“While I accept that these are just the consequences of my own failings, the experience has also been difficult for those closest to me – especially my family.”
The tribunal’s decision stopped short of a longer suspension or striking him off, noting Mulligan had taken steps to address his alcohol use and how he handles stress.
Despite the fallout, Mulligan said he was determined to return to legal practice after his suspension ends in October 2026. He has established his own law firm to specialise in his areas of practice, environmental and public law litigation.
“I believe I am now even better equipped to contribute positively to clients and the profession. I look forward to doing so soon.”
