Campbell MacCallum and Gold Coast law firm change name to Moloney MacCallum Lawyers

One of the city’s most high-profile criminal law firms has undergone a name change in the latest drama which has plagued the firm. READ THE FULL REPORT

• Campbell MacCallum’s best known clients
• New charge from ‘secret’ CCC investigation

ONE of the city’s most high-profile criminal law firms has undergone a name change in the latest drama which has plagued the firm.

Moloney MacCallum Abdelshahied Lawyers has officially informed the District Court of Queensland that the firm has changed its name to Moloney MacCallum Lawyers.

The change comes after a dramatic year for director Campbell MacCallum who was last year accused of possessing cocaine, money laundering and fraud. In November last year his former business partner Antonious Abdelshahied suddenly announced on LinkedIn he was starting his own firm Abdelshahied Lawyers.

Campbell MacCallum. Picture: Annette Dew

When asked about Mr Abdelshahied’s departure last year, Mr MacCallum said: “I wasn’t aware he was a director of another law firm but good luck to him.”

As standard practice law firms must inform the court of name and address changes to ensure documents can be served on them.Moloney MacCallum Lawyers made the change earlier this month.

MacCallum's change - November

ONE of the city’s most high-profile criminal law firms has split after a year of controversy, including one of its partners being accused of possessing cocaine.

Moloney MacCallum Abdelshahied Lawyers’ Campbell MacCallum wished his partner Antonious Abdelshahied “good luck” when asked to comment on the separation.

The change came in the same week two clients of Moloney MacCallum Abdelshahied Lawyers were charged with perjury by the Crime and Corruption Commission.

Mr Abdelshahied in November posted on his LinkedIn account that he was now a director of the firm Abdelshahied Lawyers.

Antonious Abdelshahied (left) and Campbell MacCallum show off their business cards in happier times at Moloney MacCallum Abdelshahied Lawyers.

The firm’s website linked to the social media page was not active.

Abdelshahied Lawyers registered an ABN in September 2020.

When asked about Mr Abdelshahied’s departure, Mr MacCallum at the time responded by text message: “I wasn’t aware he was a director of another law firm but good luck to him.”

Mr Abdelshahied did not respond to multiple messages left by the Bulletin in recent weeks.

Rumours had been swirling in the Southport legal fraternity for weeks about discontent between Mr Abdelshahied and Mr MacCallum.

Campbell MacCallum charged with possessing dangerous drugs after police raided his home

Mr MacCallum told the Bulletin in October: “There is nothing official. There is no paperwork signed or anything like that.

“We have our differences.”

Mr Abdelshahied had not been seen in the Southport court precinct for weeks. It is understood he was unwell.

Troy Smith, a senior associate, finished up at the firm in November.

Mr MacCallum was charged with possessing cocaine in July this year after a raid by the CCC. He is still before the courts.

In November Mr MacCallum’s long-time client, accused Mongols bikie Harley Barbaro was charged with perjury by the CCC in relation to investigations into Moloney MacCallum Abdelshahied.

Campbell MacCallum outside court in Brisbane. Picture: Annette Dew

A 33-year-old man was also charged with perjury by the CCC. They are still before the courts.

A former solicitor with the firm, Shaune Irving, was charged in March 2020 after allegedly lying when he stated his ex-girlfriend was driving his Mercedes-Benz when it was booked for speeding.

Since the initial charge the CCC also charged Irving with 10 counts of fraud, two counts of money laundering and four counts of supplying a dangerous drug. He is still before the courts.

The firm was originally named Moloney MacCallum but changed its name in 2018.

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