Join us in making a difference for women in the legal sector

Charter for the Advancement of Women

Elit Lawyers by McGirr & Snell is proud to be one of the first signatories to the Law Institute of Victoria’s Charter for the Advancement of Women.

The Charter for the Advancement of Women adopts the NSW Law Society’s Charter for the Advancement of Women in the Legal Profession as well as its guidelines.

With the support of over 300 signatories, the Charter promotes the attraction and retention of more female practitioners and their advancement into leadership positions in pursuit of gender equality in the workplace. In addition, the Charter aims to establish procedurally fair and transparent discrimination and harassment complaints processes across Uniform Law jurisdictions.

The Charter consists of the following resources:

 

The Charter is also accompanied by Guidelines that are designed to help law practises fulfil the Charter commitments in respect of women in the legal profession.

Victorian law firms can sign up using this link.

The Law Society of NSW has also recently launched a sexual harassment legal portal, which has the sole purpose of combatting the prevalent issue of sexual harassment in legal workplaces. The portal provides crucial resources for solicitors to shed light on misconduct in the legal profession, including steps that solicitors can take to report harassment and other inappropriate behaviour in the workplace.

The Law Society of NSW has announced that the portal will provide the following:

  • information on the steps to take if those working in the legal profession have experienced or witnessed sexual harassment, discrimination or victimisation and wish to report it;
  • resources that shed light on sexual harassment in the legal profession and initiatives aimed at addressing it;
  • important information on new Law Society of NSW training devised to inform the profession and combat sexual harassment in the law;
  • Workplace Guide and Model Discrimination and Harassment Policies – a practical guide published by the Law Society to help identify and eliminate discriminatory practices;
  • The Charter for the Advancement of Women in the Legal Profession;
  • The Law Society’s Mental Health and Wellbeing portal; and
  • legislation and rules relevant to sexual harassment in the legal profession.

 

The Society as part of its professional development program will also hold a workshop on the topic of sexual harassment in the legal workplace and workplace culture.

According to the President of the Law Society of NSW, the organisation “makes up 43% of Australia’s solicitors”. With such weight behind tackling sexual harassment in the legal profession, it is hopeful that positive changes within the legal workforce will occur where victims and witnesses are empowered to report harassment and other inappropriate behaviours.

In breaking news, the Victorian Legal Services Board has launched an online tool for lawyers to report instances of sexual harassment.  The user can elect whether to identify themselves or remain anonymous throughout the entire reporting process.  They can provide as much or as little detail as they like and control how their report progresses, including determine themselves whether they make a formal complaint.  The online tool can be found here.

In addition to the above the Victorian Legal Services Board website also contains resources and reports in relation to sexual harassment in the legal profession. It provides the following:

  • VEOHRC sexual harassment guideline for employers;
  • WorkSafe guide for employers on sexual harassment;
  • Guidance with making a complaint to VLSB+C about sexual harassment;
  • Sexual Harassment reports in the Victorian Legal Sector; and
  • Sexual harassment statement to the legal profession.

 

Solicitors having access to these resources allows for an integrated progression towards a future where sexual harassment is eradicated within the legal profession and society alike.

Our Co-Founder and Director, Danielle Snell sits on the Law Institute of Victoria’s Diversity Committee (Sexual Harassment Working Group) and is passionate about uniting the legal profession to make a real difference for women in the legal sector.

For a confidential discussion to discuss any concerns you may have and find out more about the complaints process available to those who have experienced sexual harassment and/or bullying in the workplace, please contact Danielle Snell.

Share
Email
Print

Get in touch

With us personally, it is just one more way we’re different.

Danielle Snell

CO-FOUNDER AND MANAGING PARTNER

.

Robert McGirr

CO-FOUNDER AND PARTNER

.

"

"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

"

"I had the good luck to be recommended to Aggie Vlahos for handling my Estate Litigation Case. Through Aggie I achieved a very satisfying result."

Estate Litigation

Jan

I had the good luck to be recommended to Aggie Vlahos for handling my Estate Litigation Case. She was always available to me, no matter how big or small my concern was. She was kind, patient, easy to talk to and very understanding regarding my troubles.

The case was resolved within only 5 months, which I was grateful for. Through Aggie I achieved a very satisfying result.

I would have no hesitation in recommending her to others.

 

"

"If you want a safe, caring, professional group of lawyers and company, look no further than Aggie Vlahos and Elit Lawyers."

Family Law Matter

Michael

Thank you to Aggie Vlahos (Partner) and the staff at Elit Law, also James Eley (Barrister). You did a marvelous job in representing me in relation to my family matter and most importantly caring about me and providing a secure environment for me to navigate a very difficult situation.

The result you achieved was nothing short of amazing. The professionalism displayed on the day by Aggie and James blew me away. With their invaluable guidance and support we achieved a extremely favourable result.

If you want a safe, caring, professional group of lawyers and company, look no further than Elit Lawyers.

Great people, Great Service, Great Company.

 

"

"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."

Kings 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.

"

"Danielle demonstrated a refreshing and unique ability to narrow the issues, and succinctly explain complex matters."

General Counsel

Leading home building company

Having worked alongside Danielle in litigation matters I have found her approach to be thorough and strategic.  In particular, Danielle demonstrated a refreshing and unique ability to narrow the issues, and succinctly explain complex matters.

Previous
Next

Can't find what you're looking for?