Spanked women, made obscene comments: New Zealand top law firm Buddle Findlay’s former partner who drunkenly groped people named

A lawyer, who faced suspension from practicing following charges of drunkenly grabbing at the genitals of a colleague and making obscene comments at a Christmas party in 2020, can now be named as Patrick Mulligan, reported news website Business Desk. Earlier in July 2025, Mulligan, who was a partner at one of New Zealand’s top law firms, Buddle Findlay, was suspended by the Lawyers and Conveyancers for 15 months.

His name, however, 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 surfaced.

In the first, which occurred at the first party, he made comments about employees’ genitalia and sex lives and also touched staff inappropriately, according to Business Desk. As far as the incident at the second party is concerned, he spanked a woman using a piece of wood. He also kissed her on the top of her head and danced in a sexualized manner.

Mulligan apologizes

The interim suppression lapsed on Tuesday, July 29, 2025, and Mulligan issued a statement saying that “after some reflection,” he had decided not to appeal it. According to Business Desk, the lawyer said, “I wanted to again apologize to those affected by my behaviour at two staff Christmas events in 2020, while I was under the influence of alcohol. I remain embarrassed by my actions and their impact on my colleagues. That experience led me to take definitive steps to address my alcohol use and how I manage stress,” He said that at times “we all make mistakes,” and he believed he had been held to account.

Mulligan stated that the disciplinary process had been a long one and the best approach. He said the disciplinary process had been a long one, and he believed the best approach was to accept the outcome.

Buddle Findlay reacts

After Mulligan was named in two cases, Buddle Findlay chief executive Philip Maitland also issued a statement in which he did not name the lawyer but said that he left the firm four years ago. He expressed “deep disappointment” over Mulligan’s actions and said that an immediate and decisive action was taken at that time.