Workplace & Employment Litigation
When a dispute arises at work it can feel deeply personal. Our highly experienced team understands the fast-moving nature of a workplace and employment dispute, and will handle your case with passion, determination and empathy.
Led by Partner Aggie Vlahos, trailblazing litigator Danielle Snell and industry veteran Robert McGirr, our firm proudly represents a diverse client base including employers, employees, directors, executives, professionals, companies and associations across a range of workplace and industrial relations matters and disputes.
Expertise
Employment Disputes with current or past employees or employers including representation at the Fair Work Commission and Federal Court
Discrimination and Equal Opportunity Claims with a focus on women’s rights and sex/gender discrimination
Bullying and Sexual Harassment and Discrimination Claims
Unfair Dismissal and Adverse Action Claims at the Fair Work Commission and Federal Court
Workplace Investigations
Employment Restraints
Review of Workplace Policies and Procedures
Employment Contracts and Independent Contractor Agreements
Redundancy and Termination Advice
Expertise
Since the firm launched, Elit Lawyers by McGirr & Snell have won multiple awards, including:
Litigation Team of the Year 2025 - Finalist
Insurance Team of the Year 2025 - Finalist
Litigator of the Year 2025 - Finalist
Managing Partner of the Year - Winner
Law Firm Leader of the Year <100 employees - Winner
Boutique Firm of the Year - Winner
Elit is passionate about promoting Diversity, Inclusion & Equality in the legal sector and for challenging the traditional law firm model to provide a more transparent and authentic legal service to clients.
Our Co-Founder and Director, Danielle Snell was 7 months pregnant when she co-founded this truly entrepreneurial firm and continues to challenge stereotypes affecting women in the legal industry. She is a member of the Executive Litigation Lawyers Committee, Courts Practice Committee and Diversity Committee (Sexual Harassment Working Group) of the Law Institute of Victoria. In addition, Danielle is a member of Diverse Women in the Law, Victorian Women Lawyers and Women in Insurance and has chaired women’s legal network groups focused on assisting the development of female practitioners in the legal profession. A guest lecturer at RMIT University, Danielle regularly speaks at professional conferences and events alongside business, political and government leaders.
Elit Lawyers by McGirr & Snell was one of the first law firms to sign up as a signatory to the Law Institute of Victoria’s Charter for the Advancement of Women
Major Matters
Defending an Employer in Adverse action
Defending a digital and social media, marketing and PR company in Adverse action brought on by an employee at the Fair Work Commission. This matter resolved early due to our negotiation strategy at Conciliation phase.
Represented senior executive / school Principal in contractual employment dispute
Represented a school Principal in a dispute concerning employment contractual obligations owed by the employer and successfully negotiated a resolution prior to the need to issue legal proceedings.
Defending employer in the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (Industrial Division) in relation to Adverse action
Defending a national travel agency following a proceeding issued by a former employee in the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (Industrial Division).
Acting for an employee in a misleading and deceptive conduct dispute
Acted for employee in legal dispute against current employer concerning allegations of misleading and deceptive conduct and breaches of contract prior to the commencement of the contract.
Advising a national association in relation to sham contract provisions
Provided written legal advice to institutional client in relation to alleged breaches of the sham contract including considering relevant provisions in the Fair Work Act 2009 (Cth). Reviewing the associations independent contract agreements to ensure compliance under the Act.
Non Solicitation
Defending a national logistics company in action brought for alleged breach of a non-solicitation clause under a services level agreement involving an outsourced business processing services and filing a counterclaim claiming breaches of contract, misleading and deceptive conduct in breach of section 4 of Schedule 2 of the Competition and Consumer Act 2020 pursuant to a related employment agreement.
Major Matters
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With us personally, it is just one more way we’re different.