Tributes flow for Coast lawyer with ‘heart of gold’
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.
“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. He went on to defend numerous high-profile clients on the Gold Coast including Jarvis Farrier, the man convicted of manslaughter after fatally stabbing 17-year-old Harrison Geppert in 2019.
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