The Chinese developers at the centre of a scandal involving disgraced former MP Daryl Maguire hired a Liberal lobbyist firm just days after they came under the spotlight in a corruption hearing.

The NSW lobbyist register shows Barton Deakin was engaged by Country Garden Australia on July 20, just a week after a secret phone tap revealed Mr Maguire claimed the developers were his clients.

Mr Maguire resigned from Parliament on Friday and a byelection is expected to be held next month.

Disgraced former MP Daryl Maguire. Credit:Erik Anderson

Barton Deakin is one of several Liberal-aligned lobby firms that have property developers as clients.