Stephen Goddard.
Stephen Goddard has had over 30 years’ experience in strata law and advocating for the rights of owners, and is a leading lawyer, advocate and commentator in this space.
His decision to specialise in delivery of legal services to the strata community was taken in 2002 when Stephen was elected Chair of Regis Towers – a scheme in distress.
As units gained popularity in Sydney and beyond, so too has the necessity for good legal advice on how to set up, and navigate, strata schemes, which is the basis of Goddard’s practice today.
Stephen can translate often impenetrable strata and planning law language into something that you can understand, then deliver a solution that will work.
Beyond his legal practice, Stephen was Chairperson of the Owners Corporation Network for 16 years - the only community-based representative body for owners in strata schemes.
Through this Stephen lobbied for necessary changes to legislation and Government policy in areas as diverse as building defects, regulation of tourist platforms such as AirBnB, and planning law.
Stephen also sits on various Government stakeholder working groups addressing legislative reform in the strata space . He was awarded the “Meritorious Service Award – 2019” - “for outstanding achievements and extraordinary commitment in promoting good public policy as it impacts on people owning residential strata property or other forms of community title".
Stephen is a regular media commentator on all matters related to strata, having made numerous appearances on Sky News, ABC News24, commercial TV news and ABC radio. He is published often in the Sydney Morning Herald and the Australian Financial Review.
Stephen is dedicated to hearing and amplifying the concerns of his clients, interpreting the law and presenting the options available to get the best legal results and public policy outcomes as possible.