Our experienced team

Born out of the COVID-19 pandemic, Danielle Snell and Robert McGirr have come together to form an innovative and dynamic law firm.

Meet our highly skilled team putting you, the client, at the centre of everything we do.

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.

[email protected]
0401 812 885

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.

[email protected]
0413 944 023

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.

[email protected]
0405 995 057

Our team

Danielle Snell

CO-FOUNDER & MANAGING PARTNER

[email protected]
0401 812 885

Robert McGirr

CO-FOUNDER & PARTNER

[email protected]
0413 944 023

Aggie Vlahos

PARTNER

[email protected]
0405 995 057

Amy Sheggerud-Woods

SENIOR CONSULTANT

[email protected]
0425 740 489

Vanessa Mahon

SENIOR ASSOCIATE

[email protected]
0413 421 381

Jin Zhou

HEAD OF ACCOUNTS

[email protected]
03 9098 8646

Shanaya Jayaweera

PARALEGAL & LEGAL ASSISTANT

[email protected]
03 9098 8646

Ethan Alcaide

PARALEGAL

[email protected]
03 9098 8646

Nicola Callis

RESEARCH CLERK

[email protected]
03 9098 8646

Toni Di Fiore

LEGAL ASSISTANT

[email protected]
03 9098 8646

Niki Jayemanne

MARKETING MANAGER

[email protected]
03 9098 8646

Alex Colquhoun

HEAD OF IT

[email protected]
03 9098 8646

Our latest news

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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.

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