In 1977, Patrick (Pat) Hagerty was licensed to practice law in Texas state courts. Since that time, he has been a member of the State Bar of Texas and the Pasadena Bar Association. He graduated from Pasadena High School in 1963. During the Vietnam conflict, he served 4 years in the United States Air Force, after which, in 1971, he received his undergraduate degree with honors from the University of Texas at Austin. In 1976, he received his law degree from Loyola University School of Law, a Jesuit school, in New Orleans, Louisiana. Apart from serving as a part-time prosecutor for the City of South Houston, Texas, he has been in private practice in the Deer Park, Pasadena, and La Porte areas. He began his practice handling many different types of cases, however, over the years, he has narrowed his practice to personal injury, Wills and probate. He is married to Sharon (Sherry) Kay Goewey. They currently have six children, sixteen grandchildren and six great grandchildren.