Joch McLean avoids full-time custodial sentence

Paul McGirr, instructing Michael Smith barrister, has successfully argued that Joch McLean, the son of former Queensland origin player Mike McLean, should avoid full-time imprisonment after he was convicted of commercial drug supply.

District Court Judge Andrew Scotting issued Mr McLean a section 11 “Griffith” remand allowing him to continue rehabilitation with Elite Athlete Wellbeing Services, operated by Jan Earl.

“The ball is in his court,” Paul McGirr told the Daily Telegraph. “He needs to keep on the straight and narrow or he’ll go in. Simple as that.”

Robert Candelori named one of Sydney's best young criminal lawyers

The Daily Telegraph has featured senior associate Robert Candelori as one of Sydney’s best young criminal lawyers.

“For Robert Candelori, growing up in one of Western Sydney’s most famous restaurants was perfect training for a career in criminal law because neither profession operates to a nine to five schedule — and both require a tireless work ethic.

Now one of the best young lawyers in Sydney, the 34-year-old was raised helping his family run Smithfield’s famed Italian eatery Candelori’s.

So when he landed a job as a 19-year-old law student at the firm McGirr and Associates, Candelori was well equipped to be able to handle the gruelling work schedule.

He was admitted to practice as a lawyer in 2015 and has gone on to work on some of the state’s biggest cases.

In 2020, he acted on the case of Valentino Fries, who was found not guilty of attempting to smuggle 1.4 tonnes of cocaine.

This year he is set to work alongside Mr McGirr when the firm defends NRL player Manase Fainu, who has pleaded not guilty to a stabbing in Western Sydney.”

Sydney’s best young criminal lawyers revealed | Daily Telegraph

Lindfield Rugby Club in a fight for survival

Daniel McGirr represented the 100-year-old Linfield Rugby Club on Thursday 25 August before the NSW Rugby Union board with respect to allegations that the club paid players contrary to the Amateur Rugby code of conduct. The allegations are denied and the decision of the Integrity Committee to impose tough sanctions could see the end of the club. 

“It could be catastrophic for the club, which is nearly 100 years old. It would be a tragedy. We have already had players say if we start on minus 10 points next year they will be going to other clubs. And that would be a large exodus of players.
“The club vehemently denies making any payments to any player. The only issue left for the NSWSRU board to determine is whether the club was aware of the payments, made the payments or authorised such payments. There is simply no evidence of payments having been made by the club.”
One rival first division club committee member contacted The Saturday Telegraph to say: “It’s just subbies trying to flex muscle they don’t have. They should be more worried about all the clubs that are dropping out of their competitions than a $600 payment. Subbies may not be around in 20 years. The board is just on a power surge. They are lightweights trying to act like heavyweights. It’s sad and pathetic.”
McGirr won’t rule out taking the matter to NSW’s Supreme Court. The NSWSRU board is currently considering Lindfield’s appeal.
“We are confident that in the NSWSRU board’s judicial capacity justice will be done and that proper legal processes will be followed in making a determination,” he said.

The club is awaiting a final decision on its appeal to the NSWRU board.

http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/rugby/lindfield-rugby-club-fearful-punishment-meted-out-for-allegedly-paying-player-will-cause-club-to-die/news-story/788da1954514082a811ee7b99c0aa871?nk=b6b56d7abf659ce6420c08554750f2ff-1472357956