Meet Our Team

Michael Pobi

Founder, Principal Strata Lawyer and Practice Leader

Michael Pobi is the Principal at Pobi Lawyers and is an expert in the fields of Strata and Community Title Law.  

Michael has practised as a solicitor in NSW since February 2004. In 2008 Michael became passionate about all things strata law related and has been specialising in all aspects of Strata and Community Title Law since then with a special focus on:

• Giving advice to lot owners, owners corporations, strata committees and strata managers on Strata and Community Title Law matters
• Giving advice, making and defending claims for breach of duty to maintain and repair common property under section 106 of the Strata Schemes Management Act 2015
• Assisting owners corporations and lot owners resolve strata disputes
• Assisting owners corporations and lot owners resolve by-law disputes including unreasonable refusal of by-law claims
• Giving advice, making and defending loss of rent/damages claims in NCAT
• Giving advice, making and defending claims for unauthorised works to common property in NCAT
• Giving advice, making and defending claims for unreasonable refusal of by-law in NCAT
• Giving advice, making and defending claims for compulsory strata management under s237 of the Strata Schemes Management Act 2015
• Retaining Wall Advice and Disputes
• Building Defects claims
• Litigation and Dispute resolution
• Making Special By-laws

Michael’s experience includes having previously worked for large strata law firms in Sydney.  Michael and his team regularly appear in the NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal (NCAT) and mediations in strata dispute matters, the Tribunal and Supreme Court of NSW in building defects claims.

When it comes to resolving legal disputes, Michael works closely with his clients to achieve strategic and practical outcomes. Michael regularly acts for owners corporations, strata managers, lot owners and developers.

Michael also offers a personal perspective to the complexities of strata law. His understanding stems from his lived experience within a twelve (12) lot strata scheme for thirteen (13) years, during which he also dedicated two (2) years serving on his owners corporation’s strata committee. These first-hand experiences, intertwined with his professional expertise, equip him with the ability to provide pragmatic and insightful advice to clients. Michael’s unique position, having experienced strata living from both sides, ensures he offers advice that is not only legally sound but also grounded in real-world insights.

 

Qualifications and Memberships:

• Diploma in Law (Legal Profession Admission Board/University of Sydney) (2003)
• Graduate Diploma of Legal Practice (College of Law, St Leonards) (2003)
• Diploma of Biblical Studies (2020)
• Admissions to the Supreme Court of NSW and the High Court of Australia (Current)
• Australian College of Strata Lawyers (ACSL): (Member from 2013 – 2023)
• Member of the Law Society of NSW (Current).

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Iain Fairholm

Special Counsel

Iain Fairholm joined Pobi Lawyers in 2016. Iain is a litigation lawyer with over twenty (20) years’ experience with significant expertise in Commercial Litigation and Dispute Resolution, Building and Construction Law and Home Building Act 1989 building defects claims litigation. He is also experienced in Commercial Law and Strata and Community Title Law.

Iain regularly appears in the NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal and the Supreme Court of NSW in building defects claims and the Tribunal in strata dispute matters. Iain’s depth and breadth of experience across a number of legal practice areas greatly assists his ability to pro-actively assist our clients in identifying and resolving disputes, manage risk and complete transactions efficiently and cost effectively.

Iain’s experience includes having previously worked for large strata law firms in Sydney. 

Qualifications and Membership:

• Bachelor of Arts (Hons), Bachelor of Laws (University of Adelaide)
• Member of the Law Society of NSW (current member).

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