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.

Danielle Snell. Managing Partner of the Year.

Biography

Danielle Snell is an award-winning litigator who established her own dynamic litigation firm after 15 years of top-tier practice. She specialises in commercial litigation, insurance policy holder disputes and media law; with a special interest in women’s rights.
 
Danielle has acted on many high-profile cases and represents a diverse range of clients including directors, executives, shareholders, professionals, public and sporting figures, members of parliament, companies and associations across a breadth of industries.
 
She is known for acting in complex multi-party legal proceedings, complaints, investigations and inquiries in all jurisdictions including the Federal, Supreme and County Courts, as well as VCAT. Her high success rate of settling cases prior to trial is due to her ability to strategise, navigate the expectations of various stakeholders in litigation and negotiate smart commercial outcomes. She is authentic and charismatic in her dealings with others and combines a deep knowledge of the law with a practical approach to litigation.
 
Danielle is a mother, wife, friend and professional who was pregnant at the time she decided to create a truly entrepreneurial law firm that promotes a new way of servicing clients. She has a passion for promoting diversity and inclusion in the legal sector and for challenging the traditional law firm model in order to provide a more authentic and transparent legal service to clients. She endeavours to create and grow a progressive workplace of the future.
 
Solving conflict issues through collaboration with other lawyers is one of Danielle’s key strengths, becoming the ‘go to’ litigator for conflict referral matters.  She is highly regarded for her ability to collaborate and look after other lawyers’ clients in circumstances where conflict issues arise.
 
Elit Lawyers by McGirr & Snell was one of the first signatories to the Law Institute of Victoria’s Charter for the Advancement of Women.  Danielle sits on the Law Institute of Victoria’s Litigation Lawyers Executive Committee, Court Practice Committee, Diversity Committee (Sexual Harassment Working Group), chairs women’s legal network groups and is a mentor to young lawyers as part of the Victorian Women Lawyers Professional Mentoring Program.  Danielle is a proficient public speaker and regularly speaks at industry events.
 
Awards & accolades

For her commitments to innovation, high stakes litigation and issues of diversity and inclusion, Danielle is recognised by leading and prestigious industry publications.

Major Matters

Major Matters

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Awards & Accolades

Law Firm Leader of the Year <100 employees

This award recognises Danielle as an outstanding leader setting the benchmark for excellence in the legal profession.

Executive of the Year - Finalist

This award recognises Danielle as an outstanding leader setting the benchmark for excellence in the legal profession.

Most Influential Lawyer - Changemaker

This esteemed award recognises Danielle’s significant contributions to the legal profession across the areas of innovation, diversity and leadership.

Litigation Rising Star

This distinguished honour names Danielle Snell amongst top barristers and solicitors under the age of 40 whose successes in high stakes litigation belie their age.

Other accomplishments

Danielle has impacted the administration of justice in Victoria and the legal profession by:
 
  • dedicating her practice to issues of Diversity, Inclusion & Equality in the legal sector and developing processes designed to provide a more transparent, compassionate and authentic legal service to clients;
  • representing women in sexual harassment complaints lodged against individuals and employers at the Australian Human Rights Commission under the Sex Discrimination Act 1984 (Cth) and the Federal Court of Australia;
  • sitting on the Diversity Committee of the Law Institute of Victoria Sexual Harassment Working Group to promote equality within the legal sector and in particular focus on improvements to eliminate sexual harassment in the legal sector (noting that a study undertaken by the Victorian Legal Services Board in 2019 found a staggering 36 per cent of legal professionals had experienced sexual harassment at work);
  • in her role as member of the Litigation Lawyers Executive Committee and Court Practice Committee of the Law Institute of Victoria, passionately contributing her perspective on wide variety of issues connected with the administration of justice in Victoria including recommendations on law reform, review of Court processes, costs and effects of systems in litigation, fostering among lawyers awareness for continuing legal education and development through innovation;
  • chairing women’s legal network groups focused on assisting the development of female practitioners in the profession and acting as mentor to young legal professionals; and
  • holding membership and participating in events run by Diverse Women in the Law, Victorian Women Lawyers and Women in Insurance. 

Other accomplishments

Danielle has impacted the administration of justice in Victoria and the legal profession by:

dedicating her practice to issues of Diversity, Inclusion & Equality in the legal sector and developing processes designed to provide a more transparent, compassionate and authentic legal service to clients.

representing women in sexual harassment complaints lodged against individuals and employers at the Australian Human Rights Commission under the Sex Discrimination Act 1984 (Cth) and the Federal Court of Australia.

sitting on the Diversity Committee of the Law Institute of Victoria Sexual Harassment Working Group to promote equality within the legal sector and in particular focus on improvements to eliminate sexual harassment in the legal sector (noting that a study undertaken by the Victorian Legal Services Board in 2019 found a staggering 36 per cent of legal professionals had experienced sexual harassment at work).

in her role as member of the Litigation Lawyers Executive Committee and Court Practice Committee of the Law Institute of Victoria, passionately contributing her perspective on wide variety of issues connected with the administration of justice in Victoria including recommendations on law reform, review of Court processes, costs and effects of systems in litigation, fostering among lawyers awareness for continuing legal education and development through innovation.

chairing women’s legal network groups focused on assisting the development of female practitioners in the profession and acting as mentor to young legal professionals.

holding membership and participating in events run by Diverse Women in the Law, Victorian Women Lawyers and Women in Insurance. 

Danielle Snell

CO-FOUNDER AND MANAGING PARTNER

[email protected]
0401 812 885

"

"Navigating a complex Parenting and Property matter is never easy. I’m incredibly grateful for Aggie's professionalism, empathy, and relentless commitment to achieving the best possible result for me and my family."

Parenting and Property

Sof

Navigating a complex Parenting and Property matter is never easy, especially when emotions run high and the other party proves difficult to deal with. Throughout my challenging journey, Aggie was a steady and strategic guide. Her experience and sound advice were instrumental in helping me stay focused and make informed decisions, even when the situation felt overwhelming.

Aggie not only provided the legal expertise I needed but also the emotional clarity that helped me move forward with confidence. She approached my case with unwavering dedication and a clear strategic vision, helping me achieve an outcome that once felt out of reach. With so many odds stacked against me, I couldn’t have asked for a more competent and supportive lawyer by my side.

I’m incredibly grateful for Aggie’s professionalism, empathy, and relentless commitment to achieving the best possible result for me and my family.

"

"I was shocked when a high-value asset of mine was stolen and my insurance company refused to pay me out. Within two months of engaging Elit, my insurance company changed its mind. What a spectacular result!"

Executive

Luxury Asset Owner

I was shocked when a high-value luxury asset of mine was stolen and my insurance company refused to pay me out on the basis that I had allegedly breached a condition of the insurance policy.

As a busy executive, I needed legal help that was clear, prompt and effective and this was exactly what I got from Danielle, Mark and the Elit team when they commenced acting on my behalf. Elit analysed the facts and noticed various details that provided an opportunity to challenge the insurers’ denial of my claim.

Within two months of engaging Elit, my insurance company changed its mind and agreed to indemnify me under my policy. This was such a massive relief to me.

What a spectacular result! I can’t thank the Elit team enough.

"

"Danielle's dedication and expertise was outstanding and made a significant impact on the case, leading to an outcome we were very pleased with."

CEO and Director

Technology Sector

Danielle Snell and the Elit team represented our company in a restraint of trade case issued in the Federal Court of Australia concerning a former senior executive of our company breaching his employment contract and duties by allegedly soliciting clients and staff from our company to set up a competing business.

Danielle’s strategic acumen in the litigation was impressive. She maintained clear, practical and consistent communication throughout the process, keeping me informed of every development. Her dedication and expertise was outstanding and made a significant impact on the case, leading to an outcome we were very pleased with.

"

"Danielle's guidance was invaluable. I highly recommend Danielle, Robert and the Elit team for their dedicated, expert and supportive approach to commercial litigation."

Managing Director

Finance and Infrastructure Sector

Danielle represented me when I was a key witness in a significant construction case spanning across 12 weeks.

I was required to give evidence in the litigation which involved me being cross-examined by senior counsel over 2 days. Danielle’s guidance was invaluable. She provided clear direction and advice about the technical and practical aspects of giving evidence and instilled confidence in me throughout the process. Her expertise and unwavering support during this time was pivotal.

I highly recommend Danielle, Robert and the Elit team for their dedicated, expert and supportive approach to commercial litigation.

"

"I just wanted to thank you all for the hard work and dedication you put into my Workcover case. A special thanks to Aggie whom I'm glad I chose to support me."

Personal Injury

Shane

I just wanted to thank you all for the hard work and dedication you put into my Workcover case.

A special thanks to Aggie whom I’m glad I chose to support me and give me the step by step instructions on how to go about proving my case for a result in my favour.

Thanks again for all your advice.

"

"Aggie is the best lawyer in Common Law Claims I have ever worked with. Aggie helped me achieve an extraordinary outcome."

Common Law Claim

Ian

Aggie is the best lawyer in Common Law Claims I have ever worked with. Having seen a couple of large Law Firms l felt let down, being quickly shown the front door. Luckily for me a friend suggested seeing Aggie Vlahos (Partner).

Having engaged Aggie Vlahos gave me the confidence to continue with the injuries l knew were caused by heavy physical and repetitive work. I am also indebted to Brendan Johnson (Barrister) for his outstanding efforts!

She explained everything in a way I could easily understand and always got back to me quickly when I had questions even outside her working hours.

Aggie helped me achieve an extraordinary outcome. However, only charged fair fees.

If someone is seeking a legal help, I highly recommend Aggie Vlahos and Elit Lawyers.

P.S. Thanks to you so much Aggie

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