Leading Gold Coast criminal lawyer Dan Rawlings dies suddenly aged just 49

Another of the Gold Coast's top lawyers has died, along with colleagues and loved ones who described him as a “beautiful, intelligent, engaging and loving man”.

Prominent criminal lawyer Dan Rawlings died suddenly on Wednesday at the age of 49.

His death has led to an outpouring of grief within Queensland's legal community.

His colleagues at Rawlings criminal lawyers, Daniel McShane and Ashley Knopp, said Mr Rawlings' death had left them 'absolutely in shock and completely devastated'.

“He was a great lawyer with a heart of gold and would help anyone who needed it,” they told the newspaper Gold Coast Bulletin.

'He was eccentric, fun and had a great sense of humor. A truly wonderful friend and brother who will be greatly missed.”

Speaking on behalf of Mr Rawlings' family, his cousin, Siobhan Waterhouse, said: 'Then brought fun, music and some of the most hilarious jokes to the family.

“He was a vibrant and loving uncle, a devoted and loyal brother, and an incredibly fun nephew and cousin.

“He was the life of any party, lighting up a room and making everyone feel welcome. We all loved him, are better off knowing him and will miss him forever.”

His good friend, Glenn Boswell, said: “As you all know, Dan was a beautiful, intelligent, engaging and loving man.

“He made all our lives richer and better because we knew and loved him.

'He will be deeply missed by all of us, especially his sisters Katie and Tasha and all his wonderful friends and family who had the pleasure of meeting him and sharing our lives with him.'

Several lawyers from across the Gold Coast have also shared their tributes to Mr Rawlings online.

'He was a good and dedicated lawyer, but above all a good person. I always enjoyed his company and his sense of humor. Rest in peace Daniel,” one person said.

'Oh no, so sad. We have lost too many good men,” wrote another.

Mr Rawlings was born in Perth and educated in New Zealand. He studied law at Otago University in Dunedin and philosophy at Victoria University in Melbourne.

He founded his law firm Rawlings Criminal Law in Southport in 2018.

Mr Rawlings has defended numerous high-profile clients, including Jarvis Farrier who was convicted of manslaughter after stabbing his 17-year-old friend, Harrison Geppert, over a pair of stolen shoes.

Mr Rawlings defended numerous high-profile clients including Jarvis Farrier and Rowan Larkin (pictured, Mr Rawlings outside court during Jarvis Farrier's trial)

Mr Rawlings also represented former police officer Rowan Larkin during his kidnapping trial in September.

Larkin was accused last year of assaulting and stalking his former partner.

Rawlings' death follows that of high-profile criminal lawyer and former soldier Dave Garratt last December and director and co-founder of now-bankrupt Southport firm Cooper Roper Legal, Evan Cooper, in January.

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