A dynamic law firm by McGirr
& Snell
Specialised in Commercial Litigation, Insurance Litigation and Media & Defamation Law.
Australian Boutique Law Firm of the Year 2022
Lawyers Weekly, 2022
Our key practice areas
01
Disputes & Litigation
Handling disputes on behalf of a diverse client base, Australia wide and in all court jurisdictions.
We specialise in commercial litigation, insurance litigation and media & defamation law.
02
Insurance
We have a combined 60 years’ experience acting for major Australian and international insurers.
We know how the industry works; and now we act for policy holders.
03
Media & Defamation
Specialised defamation and media law experience successfully representing a diverse client base.
We provide top-tier client outcomes without the big firm costs.
Our awards
Managing Partner of the Year - Winner
Law Firm Leader of the Year <100 employees - Winner
Litigation Team of the Year - Finalist
NewLaw Firm of the Year - Finalist
Boutique Firm of the Year - Winner
NewLaw Firm of the Year - Finalist
Our key benefits
Elit Cube
t.
Empowering
We empower those we represent. From the very outset, we sit down with our clients to present a digital Elit Scenario Plan which sets out the various stages expected throughout the specific transaction and/or litigation cycle from pre-litigation case management to trial stage. As part of this process, we evaluate and explain the possible scenarios of each stage. Most importantly, we work with our clients from the outset to clearly identify what they want to achieve and articulate their ultimate purpose and objective.
Expert
We have deep expertise and are subject matter leaders in our field with over 60 years combined experience. Our firm offers our clients regular and bespoke legal updates and webinars/seminars so that they are regularly informed about changes and updates in the law. Additionally, we think beyond the law and are not constrained to only the resources within our firm. We collaborate and partner with likeminded stakeholders, service providers and our network of experts to offer our clients access to an array of multi-disciplinary advisors in order to deliver bespoke and integrated services.
Electronic
Gone are the days where clients should be waiting for their lawyer to provide them with information which should be accessible instantaneously. In direct response, our firm has designed a bespoke suite of electronic solutions which creates a dynamic and progressive environment where clients are part of the team and journey rather than removed from it. We provide our clients with 24/7 web-enabled access to the Elit Client Portal, directly connecting them to their file and all relevant documents and information. Our eDiscovery and eTrial Management systems enables key stakeholders including barristers, advisors and service providers the ability to collaborate and work seamlessly with evidence in preparation for hearings and trials, increasing efficiency and reducing costs leading up to and during the course of court hearings and trials.
What does E-lit mean?
Our firm name ‘E-lit’ is inspired by our ethos, underpinned by the following core pillars:
Expert Litigation – offering deep expertise in our field.
Empowering Litigation – offering legal services that empower those we represent.
Electronic Litigation – fully integrated and automated firm with superior efficiency with e-litigation.
Expert
We have deep expertise and are subject matter leaders in our field with over 60 years combined experience. We think beyond the law and are not constrained to only the resources within our firm. We collaborate and partner with likeminded stakeholders, service providers and our network of experts to offer our clients access to an array of multi-disciplinary advisors in order to deliver bespoke and integrated services. Our firm offers our clients regular and bespoke legal updates and webinars/seminars so that they are regularly informed about changes and updates in the law.
Empowering
We empower those we represent. From the very outset, we sit down with our clients to present a digital Elit Scenario Plan which sets out the various stages expected throughout the specific transaction and/or litigation cycle from pre-litigation case management to trial stage. As part of this process, we evaluate and explain the possible scenarios of each stage. Most importantly, we work with our clients from the outset to clearly identify what they want to achieve and articulate their ultimate purpose and objective.
Electronic
Gone are the days where clients should have to wait for their lawyer to provide information which should be accessible instantaneously. Our firm has designed a bespoke suite of electronic solutions which creates a dynamic and progressive environment where our clients are part of the team and journey rather than removed from it. We provide 24/7 web-enabled access to the Elit Client Portal, directly connecting our clients to their file and all relevant documents and information. Our eDiscovery and eTrial Management systems enables key stakeholders including barristers, advisors and service providers the ability to collaborate and work seamlessly with evidence in preparation for hearings and trials, increasing efficiency and reducing costs leading up to and during the course of court hearings and trials.
About us
Elit Lawyers by McGirr & Snell was founded in November 2020 by award-winning litigator Danielle Snell and industry veteran Robert McGirr. Born out of the COVID-19 pandemic, our firm disrupts the traditional law firm model by offering an innovative and progressive delivery model to provide a truly authentic and transparent client experience.
Our firm was named Winner: Boutique Law Firm of the Year at the Lawyers Weekly Australian Law Awards in 2022. We were also named by Australasian Lawyer as one of Australia’s Fastest Growing Firms.
In 2023, at the Australasian Law Awards, Danielle Snell emerged as the winner in the category of ‘Law Firm Leader of the Year (<200 employees).’
Danielle Snell
CO-FOUNDER AND MANAGING PARTNER
Danielle is an award-winning litigator who has worked at several top tier law firms and on many high stakes and high-profile cases.
She has a passion for promoting Diversity, Inclusion & Equality in the sector and for challenging the traditional law firm model in order to provide a more transparent and authentic legal service to clients.
Robert McGirr
CO-FOUNDER AND PARTNER
Rob, an industry veteran, was admitted to practice in 1978 and became one of the Victoria’s first Accredited Commercial Litigation Specialists in 1993.
Rob has over 40 years experience in the legal industry as a Senior Partner responsible for commercial litigation and insurance legal teams.
Aggie Vlahos
PARTNER
Aggie is an astute and sensitive lawyer with a diverse legal skill set, enabling her to support clients across various legal issues during a dispute.
Her clients greatly appreciate her vast and complementary knowledge spanning family law, corporate and commercial agreements, Wills, estates, and probate as well as workplace and employment disputes.
Our specialty expertise
Solving Legal Conflicts
Since founding Elit Lawyers by McGirr & Snell, Danielle and Robert have become the ‘go to’ lawyers for other legal professionals who encounter conflict issues and are highly regarded as a trusted pair of hands.
Legal Case Reviews
With highly regarded reputations in the industry for creative solutions to complex issues, Danielle Snell and Robert McGirr are often sought out as a fresh pair of eyes, someone new to examine and critique a dispute or legal case.
Our latest news
News
VCAT’s Jurisdictional Limitations: What You Need to Know
News
Levelling the playing field for insurance policyholders
News
What rights do I have as a shareholder?
News
Insurance News: COVID-19 Business Interruption Insurance Decision in the HCA
News
DEFAMATION NEWS: Wilks v Qu [2022] VCC 620
News
Defamation News: Stage 2 Defamation law reforms
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"The best of the best plaintiff lawyers against insurance companies. We had a very tough and complex case and Danielle and her team settled with the insurance company for an optimal outcome."
Insurance Policy Holder
Home owner
The best of the best plaintiff lawyers team against insurance companies.
We had a very tough and complex case against insurance company that we lost our home and contents. After disappointing and frustrating process from another law firm and firing them we found Danielle Snell and her team.
They are very dedicated, knowledgeable, passionate and possess great communication skills. We couldn’t ask for more and settled with a optimal outcome.
"
"It’s great to be able to confidently refer clients to someone who can help and support them, and to feel that they are receiving the best service."
Senior Adviser
Financial Planner
We are so glad to have you in our referral channel.
It’s great to be able to confidently refer clients to someone who can help and support them, and to feel that they are receiving the best service.
"
"This was a “David v Goliath” fight as our dispute was with a large global corporation. The attention, compassion and guidance that Danielle and the team showed us was absolutely incredible."
CEO & Founder
National mental-health support organisation
We recently instructed Danielle from Elit Lawyers by McGirr & Snell to help with a legal dispute. As a small purpose led business, this was a “David v Goliath” fight as our dispute was with a large global corporation. This dispute was during a very emotional time as we were in the middle of a global pandemic, Melbourne’s sixth lockdown, homeschooling and no childcare – all while trying to keep our small business alive.
The attention, compassion and guidance that Danielle and the team showed us was absolutely incredible. I have 10 years legal experience myself and even with that, I was reluctant to litigate, especially during such a difficult time. However Danielle always gave us confidence in knowing that she was in our corner and always working for our best interests, so my reluctance was quickly appeased.
Today I am pleased to share that David defeated Goliath and we could not be more thrilled with the result we received thanks to Danielle and the team from Elit Lawyers. Danielle not only saved our company, but ensured that we could continue doing the good work we were previously and helping improve the lives and mental health of mothers across Australia.
I could not recommend Danielle and the team from Elit Lawyers more highly. I am *hoping* that I will never need their services again, but feel very reassured knowing they are there and always in my corner.
Thank you Danielle and team.
"
"Elit negotiated a settlement which saw all proceedings against my company dismissed, with no order as to costs."
Owner and Managing Director
Major Transport Company
I was recently introduced to Elit Lawyers by McGirr & Snell by my former lawyers after they were required to cease acting for me due to a conflict of interest. The stakes were high as my company was exposed to multiple court proceedings. Elit Lawyers by McGirr & Snell impressed me so much. They went that extra mile and were able to negotiate a settlement which saw all proceedings against my company dismissed, with no order as to costs. I can’t thank Elit enough.
"
"Danielle is a well-known and respected lawyer who knows how to handle difficult and intensive litigation."
Queens Counsel, Devers List
Victorian Bar
Danielle Snell is a very intelligent and impressive lawyer whom I have worked with in my role as senior counsel on various litigation matters. She is a well-known and respected lawyer who knows how to handle difficult and intensive litigation. Danielle combines a deep knowledge of the law across many practice areas with a practical approach to litigation, and is authentic and charismatic in her dealings with others.
"
"Danielle and Robert demonstrate outstanding expertise and approach all matters methodically with a clear and practical focus..."
Chief Operations Officer
Peak industry body for fire protection
As Chief Operating Officer it is extremely important to work with lawyers who are easily accessible, honest and trustworthy. We have briefed Elit Lawyers by McGirr and Snell across various legal disciplines and now use them as our “go to” solicitors. Danielle and Robert demonstrate outstanding expertise and approach all matters methodically with a clear and practical focus on achieving the best possible result.