The Elit Journey
Our team has seamlessly adapted to a progressive working style and is made up of individuals from all different backgrounds and age-groups who balance their passion for the law with a range of responsibilities, including caring for young children and disabled family members, sitting in board positions, and older staff transitioning into reduced hours.
Our clients are at the centre of our firm and bespoke technology solutions, which promote transparency, accountability and real time management.
Running multi-million dollar litigation in the confines of her dining room during Melbourne’s 2020 lockdown, award winning litigator Danielle Snell knew the law industry would never be the same again. She approached former colleague, industry veteran Robert McGirr, with a vision to create a truly entrepreneurial, future focussed and progressive law firm.
Elit Lawyers by McGirr & Snell seeks to disrupt the traditional law firm model by combining flexible work practices with a dynamic virtual environment to create an authentic and transparent client experience.
We provide tailored solutions to clients in our core areas of speciality, commercial disputes, insurance litigation and media and defamation law. We also have a special interest in issues of diversity and inclusion.
Our team regularly act in multi-party legal proceedings, complaints, investigations and inquiries in all Australian jurisdictions; and proudly represent a diverse client base, comprising directors, executives, shareholders, professionals, private individuals, public figures, companies, leading industry bodies and associations.
We are committed to technology which empowers clients, enabling them to be part of the team and journey rather than being removed from it. We provide personalised support through a 24/7 web-enabled portal which directly connects clients to their relevant transaction and documents. Our ‘Scenario Plan’ also provides certainty to litigation clients by providing a journey map to illustrate the various ways in which their matter may unfold and the steps required to achieve their stated objective whilst managing the risks involved.
Our team is comprised of highly experienced professionals who embrace our flexible work culture, enabling them to collaborate and deliver excellent client service without compromising on their personal commitments. With a surge in new client files and the attraction of our agile and adaptive working model to prospective employees, we quickly expanded our team from our two co-founders, Danielle and Robert, to 10 employees within a 6 month period. We are proudly a genuine equal opportunity employer that promotes a diverse and inclusive workplace that aligns with our clients’ own ethos.
Elit Lawyers by McGirr and Snell is annually recognised at prestigious industry awards, most notably being named Winner “Boutique Law Firm of the Year” at the Australian Law Awards in 2022. At the same awards in 2023, Elit was named “Litigation Team of the Year” Finalist; and “New Law Firm of the Year” Finalist (for the third consecutive year). Co-Founder and Managing Partner Danielle Snell is also annually recognised, most notably being named Winner “Managing Partner of the Year” at the Australian Law Awards in 2023. At the Australasian Law Awards she was named Winner “Law Firm Leader of the Year <100 employees” (2023) and Winner “Law Firm Leader of the Year <200 employees” (2022).
In the Media
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Our latest news
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Navigating Insurance Policy Disputes: Policy holder Rights in Luxury Home Insurance Claims
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VCAT’s Jurisdictional Limitations: What You Need to Know
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Levelling the playing field for insurance policyholders
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What rights do I have as a shareholder?
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Insurance News: COVID-19 Business Interruption Insurance Decision in the HCA
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DEFAMATION NEWS: Wilks v Qu [2022] VCC 620
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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.
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"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.
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"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.
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"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.
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"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.
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"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.