A HEAVYWEIGHT legal team is guiding Paul Gallen through his ASADA dealings, with David Hicks' former solicitor and an ex-Supreme Court judge representing the Sharks skipper.

Gallen, the only Cronulla player under investigation who has sought independent counsel, engaged corporate lawyer Steven Glass and barrister Greg James QC just prior to his first ASADA interview in August. Glass is best-known for representing Hicks, the first Australian to be detained in Guantanamo Bay on ­terrorism charges.

James is regarded as one of Australia's top criminal barristers, resuming practice midway through 2012 after a seven-year stint on the bench of the NSW Supreme Court. The 69-year-old is currently preparing a High Court challenge on behalf of outlaw bikies, as well as representing former Labor MP Craig Thomson in his defence of 173 fraud and theft charges.

It's understood Gallen engaged the pair in late July, about a month before he became the last of 10 Sharks players to front ASADA investigators.

Former ASADA counsel Richard Redman and Andrew Coleman SC had previously acted for all Cronulla players, having been appointed shortly after ASADA's investigation was launched. The Rugby League Players Association (RLPA) was assisting with legal costs for Coleman SC.

Glass declined to respond when contacted yesterday.

There is no chance any Sharks player will receive ASADA infraction notices ­before Christmas, but the NRL is expected to determine code of conduct breaches in the coming weeks.