FPA Patent Attorneys principal Carl Harrap, 40, was arrested by local police on 28 December after allegedly jumping out from behind a bush and grabbing a 20-year-old female jogger by the crotch as she was passing. The esteemed IP lawyer has reportedly been charged with ‘assault with act of indecency’ and has been released on conditional bail until 18 January, when he is due to appear at a local court. FPA Patent Attorneys, formerly Freehills Patent Attorneys, was spun off from legacy Australian firm Freehills prior to its merger with Herbert Smith in 2012, but maintains an exclusive referral relationship with HSF. A spokesperson for FPA has declined to comment on the charges against Mr Harrap until after the case is resolved.

Sources: The American Lawyer; Australasian Lawyer