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One of Australia’s highest-profile lawyers who represented troubled NRL stars after his career as a soldier is found dead in his home just days before Christmas.
- Dave Garratt served in East Timor and Iraq as an ADF soldier before becoming a lawyer.
- He became a respected criminal lawyer at the Howden Saggers law firm.
- Mr Garratt has represented NRL stars including Payne Haas and Anthony Milford.
- He was found dead by a friend at his Gold Coast home on Thursday night.
One of Australia’s highest profile criminal lawyers, who traveled across Iraq and East Timor as a soldier before earning his law degree, has died suddenly.
Dave Garratt, who represented NRL stars Payne Haas and Anthony Milford during their high-profile court cases, was found dead at this Gold Coast home on Thursday night.
The ADF veteran of his early 40s is understood to have been founded by his friend, lawyer David Funch, the Courier-Mail reported.
A partner at the Howden Saggers law firm, Mr. Garratt had made a name for himself as a highly competent and effective criminal lawyer after completing his military career.
Dave Garratt was found dead in this Gold Coast home on Thursday night by a friend.
Mr. Garratt represented NRL stars Payne Haas (pictured) and Anthony Milford during their high-profile court cases.
“Today, the lawyers for Howden Saggers are mourning the tragic and unexpected loss of their principal, Dave Garratt,” his firm posted online Friday.
‘Dave’s life was a life of service, both to Australia and to justice. This is how it will be forever as we will remember it. Dave passed away unexpectedly at home last night.
“Our valued customers will continue to be our priority and we will work with those directly affected in the coming days to make alternative arrangements.”
It is understood that Mr. Garratt leaves behind a young son.
Garratt entered the military when he was 17 after leaving school in the ninth year.
In an interview with the Gold Coast Bulletin in 2019, he recalled how he struggled to adjust once he left the force and couldn’t find a job for two years.
‘I applied for so many jobs. I came out of the military thinking I was a godsend to any employer because of the skills I had in the military,” he said.
‘It just wasn’t the case… I couldn’t get a job washing cars.
‘You are trained as a warrior and when you go out you become a victim.’
The ADF veteran’s corpse is understood to have been found in his home by his friend, lawyer David Funch.
Mr Garratt’s interest in the law was first sparked by a shooting incident involving fellow Australian soldiers while serving in Iraq (pictured Mr Garratt during his time in the ADF)
Garratt recalled how, while serving in Baghdad in 2005, he and his team were targeted by suicide bombers at the Australian embassy.
In one particular incident, Garratt said that, as team leader, he made the decision to kill a driver who approached the embassy with fuel cans in his car.
He also said his interest in the law was first inspired by an incident in which Australian soldiers were ‘hung out to dry’ after shooting and seriously wounding Iraqi locals during a night patrol.
The soldiers were later cleared of wrongdoing by the army hierarchy.
Mr. Garratt served in Iraq and East Timor with the Australian Army before becoming a criminal lawyer.
‘The simple fact that these guys who were my classmates were presumed guilty.
“There was no presumption of innocence and they were ostracized.
‘They still feel they were harshly treated without a fair trial.
“I think that made my ears open and he might be interested in something to do with the law.”
During his legal career, Mr. Garratt has frequently represented ex-servicemen and women in legal actions.
Tributes to Mr. Garratt have praised his service to both country and law.
“Great soldier, great lawyer and great partner,” a friend posted. We will miss you dear Dave.
‘I served with Dave at 1RAR. great guy. RIP bro’ another vet posted.
‘I am totally devastated. Dave was a fantastic lawyer, a true professional, but most of all he was a man of honor and a top guy in every way,” another friend wrote.