From Humble Beginnings to Legal Excellence
At Pobi Lawyers, our story embodies the entrepreneurial spirit, unwavering dedication, and commitment to legal excellence that continues to define our practice today. Founded in July 2012 by Michael Pobi, our firm has grown from modest beginnings to become a respected name in strata law and legal services across the region.
The Founding Vision (2012)
In July 2012, Michael Pobi took a significant leap of faith that would forever change his professional trajectory. With only two clients and a vision for client-centered legal excellence, Michael established Pobi Lawyers from the second bedroom of his home. These humble beginnings laid the foundation for what would become a thriving legal practice built on integrity, perseverance, and exceptional client service.
Working diligently from this modest home office, Michael devoted himself to delivering outstanding legal representation. His commitment to understanding the complexities of strata law and providing practical, effective solutions quickly began earning him a reputation for excellence. As word spread about his meticulous approach and impressive results, the client base steadily expanded beyond those initial two clients who took a chance on a new firm.
Strategic Growth and Expansion (2012-2025)
As Pobi Lawyers’ reputation for excellence grew, so did the demand for its services. The firm’s evolution has always been purposeful and measured, ensuring that growth never compromised the personalized attention that clients value.
By 2016, the increasing caseload and expanding client base necessitated the firm’s first strategic expansion. Michael welcomed another talented lawyer to the team, Iain Fairholm, marking a significant milestone in Pobi Lawyers’ development. This addition enhanced the firm’s capacity to serve clients while maintaining the high standards of service that had become its hallmark.
The firm continued its trajectory of strategic growth, adding another skilled legal professional in 2022. Each expansion has been carefully considered to ensure that new team members share the firm’s core values and commitment to client success. This measured approach to growth has allowed Pobi Lawyers to maintain its boutique character while expanding its capabilities and expertise.
A Distinguished Track Record of Success
Perhaps the most compelling testament to Pobi Lawyers’ excellence is our remarkable success rate. Over our 12-year history, we have successfully resolved approximately 99% of our cases through favourable settlements or Tribunal victories. This exceptional track record speaks volumes about our legal acumen and strategic approach to complex matters.
The handful of cases that presented challenges over the years have invariably involved highly complex legal questions in particularly intricate areas of law. Even these rare instances have contributed to our growth, deepening our understanding of legal complexities and enhancing our strategic approach to similar matters in the future.
Our success stems from a combination of thorough preparation, strategic thinking, and an unwavering commitment to achieving the best possible outcomes for our clients. We approach each case with meticulous attention to detail, ensuring that no stone is left unturned in the pursuit of our clients’ interests.
Commitment to Legal Knowledge and Expertise
In the early years of the firm, Michael actively contributed to the legal community by conducting numerous seminars on strata law subjects and delivering online webinars for Continuing Legal Education (CLE) providers. These educational initiatives established him as a thought leader in this specialised field and demonstrated the firm’s commitment to advancing legal knowledge.
In recent years, Michael has shifted his focus toward intensive private professional development. This deliberate pivot reflects our commitment to staying at the cutting edge of legal developments, particularly in the complex and ever-evolving field of strata law. By deepening his expertise through continuous learning, Michael ensures that Pobi Lawyers remains equipped to handle even the most challenging legal matters with confidence and precision.
A significant milestone in our knowledge journey came in 2022, when Michael had the privilege of collaborating with strata lawyer Ian McKnight, a doyen in strata law. This collaboration with such a respected figure in the field not only enhanced our expertise but also affirmed our standing in the legal community.
Pioneers in Remote Legal Practice
Long before remote work became a necessity, Pobi Lawyers had embraced technology and flexible working arrangements. Our forward-thinking approach to legal practice meant that when the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted traditional office environments, our operations continued seamlessly without interruption.
While many firms scrambled to adapt to remote work, our systems and processes were already optimized for virtual collaboration. This foresight not only ensured continuity of service during challenging times but also demonstrated our commitment to innovation and adaptability in all aspects of our practice.
The remote work model has allowed us to maintain efficiency and accessibility while providing our team with the flexibility to achieve optimal work-life balance. This approach has proven beneficial not only for our staff but also for our clients, who receive responsive, uninterrupted service regardless of external circumstances.
Why Choose Pobi Lawyers?
Proven Expertise: With over a decade of experience and a 99% success rate, our track record speaks for itself. Our team is adept at navigating complex legal issues with precision and skill.
Client-Centric Approach: We prioritise our clients’ needs, ensuring personalised attention and tailored legal strategies for each case.
Innovative and Adaptable: We embrace technological advancements and innovative practices to provide efficient and effective legal solutions.
Deep Knowledge of Strata Law: Our specialised focus and continuous professional development ensure we remain at the forefront of developments in this complex area of law.
Looking to the Future
As we reflect on our journey from a one-person operation to an established and respected legal practice, we remain committed to the principles that have guided us from the beginning: integrity, excellence, innovation, and unwavering dedication to our clients’ success.
The story of Pobi Lawyers is one of vision, perseverance, and strategic growth. We look forward to continuing this journey, expanding our impact, and setting new standards of excellence in legal practice for years to come.
Our past achievements provide a solid foundation, but it is our ongoing commitment to legal excellence and client satisfaction that will define our future. As we move forward, we remain dedicated to our founding vision: providing exceptional legal representation that makes a meaningful difference in our clients’ lives and businesses.
Thank you for considering Pobi Lawyers for your legal needs. We look forward to the opportunity to demonstrate our commitment to excellence and to helping you achieve your legal objectives.
Founder, Principal Strata Lawyer and Practice Leader
Michael Pobi is the Principal Solicitor at Pobi Lawyers, a leading NSW law firm specialising in Strata and Community Title Law. With over two decades of legal experience, Michael has provided expert advice as a solicitor in New South Wales since 2004.
Since 2008, Michael has focused exclusively on strata law, earning a strong reputation for his deep expertise in Strata and Community Title Law. Michael regularly advises lot owners, owners corporations, strata committees, and strata managers on a wide range of strata legal matters.
Iain Fairholm joined Pobi Lawyers in 2016 as a commercial litigation lawyer, bringing over 20 years of extensive experience in Commercial Litigation and Dispute Resolution, Building and Construction Law, and litigation related to the Home Building Act 1989. He also has notable expertise in Commercial Law as well as Strata and Community Title Law.
Iain regularly represents clients before the NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal (NCAT) and the Supreme Court of NSW, particularly in cases involving building defects and strata disputes. His comprehensive legal knowledge enables him to proactively assist clients in effectively identifying and resolving disputes, managing risks, and completing transactions efficiently and cost-effectively.
Before joining Pobi Lawyers, Iain gained valuable experience working with some of Sydney’s most respected commercial and strata law firms.
Qualifications and Membership:
Special Counsel
We advise our clients and work with them to achieve the best outcome. We maintain an open line of communication with our clients at all times. We also follow up our clients at the end of the matter to ensure things run smoothly.
We aim to constantly grow and develop our personal and business relationships through integrity, leadership and innovative business practices to exceed our clients’ expectations.
We will communicate clearly and promptly with our clients, and provide clear and practical advice.
We strive to provide a high quality legal service which meets and/or exceeds your expectations.
Clear legal fees plus legal advice that is in your best interests.
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Michael’s areas of specialisation include:
Before founding Pobi Lawyers, Michael honed his skills at some of Sydney’s most respected strata law firms. He and his team regularly appear before the NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal (NCAT) and participate in mediations, representing clients effectively in strata disputes and building defect litigation.
Michael’s approach combines strategic legal counsel with practical, client-focused solutions, helping clients achieve the best possible outcomes. His personal experience living in a 12-lot strata scheme for 13 years, including 2 years serving on the strata committee, gives Michael unique, firsthand insights into the everyday complexities faced by his clients.
This blend of professional expertise and lived experience enables Michael to provide pragmatic and insightful legal advice, ensuring his guidance is both legally sound and practically relevant.
Qualifications and Memberships:
