Dan Rawlings: Tributes flow for Gold Coast lawyer after shock death

The Gold Coast legal fraternity is in mourning after the shock death of another high-profile criminal lawyer. READ THE TRIBUTES

Gold Coast criminal lawyer Dan Rawlings. Picture: Facebook

Prominent Gold Coast criminal lawyer Dan Rawlings is being remembered as an “incredible” legal advocate and friend with a heart of gold after his shock death this week.

The experienced lawyer and principal of Southport’s Rawlings Criminal Law died suddenly aged 49, sparking an outpouring of grief from the city’s legal fraternity on Wednesday. Rawlings Criminal Law solicitors Daniel McShane and Ashley Knopp said they were “absolutely in shock and completely devastated” at the loss of their colleague and friend.

“He was an incredible lawyer with a heart of gold and would help anyone who needed it,” they said.

Gold Coast criminal lawyer Dan Rawlings. Picture: Facebook

“He was eccentric, fun, and had an amazing sense of humour. A truly great friend and brother who will be sorely missed.”

Mr Rawling’s cousin Siobhan Waterhouse, speaking on behalf of the family said: “To the family, Dan brought fun, music, and some of the most side-splitting crack-ups.

“He was a vibrant and loving uncle, dedicated and loyal brother, and wickedly fun cousin and nephew.

“He was the life of every party, lit up a room, and made everyone feel welcome. We all adored him, are better off for knowing him, and will miss him forever.”

His good friend Glenn Boswell said: “Dan was a beautiful, intelligent, engaging and loving man. He left an indelible mark in everyone he met and made many of our lives richer and so much more exciting.

“He will be deeply missed by many people across New Zealand and Australia and our deepest sympathies are extended to his beautiful family.”

Mr Rawlings established his Southport firm in late 2018, having started his legal career across the ditch in New Zealand before relocating to Australia.

He went on to defend numerous high-profile clients in his years on the Gold Coast including Jarvis Farrier, the man convicted of manslaughter after fatally stabbing 17-year-old Harrison Geppert in 2019.

Ex-police officer Rowan Leslie Larkin (left) leaving the Southport courthouse with lawyer Dan Rawlings. Picture: Jessica Paul

He also represented ex-police officer Rowan Larkin in committal proceedings earlier this year.

Tributes have flowed from the Gold Coast legal community since Wednesday morning, with several taking to social media to remember their colleague and friend.

“He was a good and dedicated lawyer but, most importantly, a good man. I always enjoyed his company and his sense of humour. Rest in peace Daniel,” one lawyer said.

“Oh no, so sad. We’ve lost too many good men,” another wrote.

Mr Rawlings’ shock death comes as the latest blow in what has been a tragic 12 months for the city’s legal professionals.

This week will mark a year since high-profile criminal lawyer and former soldier Dave Garratt died suddenly.

It was only weeks later that Evan Cooper – director and founding partner of now-collapsed Southport firm Cooper Roper Legal – was mourned after losing his battle with a long-term illness.