Meet Richard Auger

Richard is an aggressive, results-driven lawyer who achieves success for his clients.

Skilled Representation: Richard practices medical malpractice, personal injury and wrongful death. He represents clients who have been injured or died as the result of a vehicle accident; medical mistake made by a doctor or nurse.

Richard is also a skilled and experienced advocate at public inquiries and inquests. He has represented many key figures in national political proceedings.

Richard further hones his advocacy skills as a seasoned criminal defence lawyer.

Tough Reputation: Richard is well known for his meticulous preparation, his fearsome cross-examinations and his relentless research of the law. Court opponents know that if a point of law arises on a case, Richard will have a complete case book and detailed knowledge of the pertinent law in the area. Richard appreciates that many cases are won by “out-preparing” the other side.

Unusual Perspective: Since his call to the Ontario Bar in 1997, Richard has represented clients in countless trials and administrative hearings on health and other issues. He has also represented clients charged with a wide range of offences. As a result, Richard is uniquely positioned among lawyers to respond to clients’ needs in both the criminal and civil litigation arenas, where most lawyers limit their practices to one area or the other.

Nationwide Recognition: Richard gained national recognition when he represented a key witness at the Gomery Commission of Inquiry into the Sponsorship Program. Richard was among the youngest counsel to act for a major player at the Gomery Inquiry. His involvement with the Gomery Inquiry followed on the heels of his work on the high-profile Computer Leasing Inquiry in Toronto, where he also acted for a central figure.

More recently, Richard has played a central role representing Karlheinz Schreiber before the Parliamentary Ethics Committee.

Media Presence: Richard is a legal authority who speaks to reporters often. Since the firm’s inception, Richard has conducted more than a dozen media interviews, including an interview on CTV’s “Canada AM”. He has been quoted in every major newspaper, including The Ottawa Citizen, The Globe and Mail, The National Post, The Montreal Gazette and The Toronto Star. This level of exposure is unparalleled among professional service providers of Richard’s seniority.

Education: In 1991, Richard earned his undergraduate Honours Bachelor of Arts Degree in Law/Psychology from Carleton University in Ottawa. In 1995, Richard earned an LL.B. (Bachelor of Laws Degree), graduating Cum Laude from the University of Ottawa, Faculty of Common Law. Richard was called to the Bar of Ontario in 1997.

Awards: Richard was the recipient of the 2006 40 under 40 award by the Ottawa Business Journal. In addition, Auger Hollingsworth were the Bronze recipients of the Business of the Year award in 2006.

Legal Training and Experience: Richard gained experience as a lawyer by working in the well-known legal firms of McCarthy Tétrault and Greenspan Partners.

The exposure and access to Canada’s leading civil and criminal practitioners provided him with unparalleled training in all aspects of litigation and are at the root of his success today. His tenure in these reputable firms also enabled him to develop keen preparation skills and sharpen his innate researching skills.

Richard is a firm believer in continuous learning and is a regular participant in professional development seminars focused on enhancing his litigation skills, including the various annual criminal lawyer conferences.

Court Admissions and Representations: Richard has successfully represented clients at all levels of court in Ontario, including the Ontario Court of Justice, the Superior Court of Justice, the Ontario Court of Appeal, Federal Court, Commissions of Inquiry and numerous administrative tribunals. He works regularly as an agent for cases at the Supreme Court of Canada, as well.

Bar and Lawyer Group Memberships: Richard is a member of the following:

• Law Society of Upper Canada
• Advocates’ Society
• Ontario Trial Lawyers’ Association
• Criminal Lawyers’ Association
• Canadian Bar Association
• Defence Counsel Association of Ottawa
• County of Carelton Law Association

Commitment to Legal Excellence: As part of his commitment to legal excellence, Richard is a regular lecturer at the University of Ottawa Law School in the trial advocacy courses and is a past coach of the Law School’s competitive trial team.

Most notably, Richard is an associate editor of Ontario Civil Practice 2007 and 2008 as well as the upcoming 2009 version, the legal reference Bible used by all civil litigators in Ontario.

Charitable Organizations and Contributions: Charitable Organizations and Contributions: Richard is a member of the President’s Council of the Ottawa Hospital Foundation. Recently, he joined the Legal Pursuit Team of the Foundation’s $100 million Legacy Campaign to raise funds for facilities upgrades, new equipment, leading-edge medical research and ongoing education.

In addition, Richard is a regular supporter of a number of charitable organizations, including the Multiple Sclerosis Society, the Canadian Cancer Society, United Way and the Ottawa Food Bank.

Richard gives back to the Ottawa community by supporting the development of students pursuing law. For three years, Richard was the volunteer coach and mentor for the University of Ottawa’s Arnup Cup team. The Arnup Cup is Ontario’s premier trial advocacy moot court competition for the six Ontario law schools. Richard’s team won the Arnup Cup in February 2006 and placed third at the national level competition, the Sopinka Cup, in March 2006. Richard is rewarded by sharing his knowledge and experience with students and contributing to their professional development.

Family: Richard is married to his law partner, Brenda Hollingsworth. They have two young sons and live in Ottawa.