Stephen is a Special Counsel at McCarthy Durie Lawyers, bringing with him decades of diverse legal experience across litigation, commercial law, and Body Corporate matters. Having previously worked with McCarthy Durie Ryan Neil earlier in his career, Stephen re-joins the firm with a wealth of knowledge and a reputation for delivering practical legal solutions and successful outcomes for his clients.

Stephen holds a Bachelor of Applied Science (Human Movement) from the Phillip Institute of Technology (now RMIT University), completed in 1989. He later relocated to Queensland to study law at Bond University, where he graduated with Honours in just two years by undertaking an accelerated course load. He completed his articles at Minter Ellison and was admitted to practice in January 1996.

Over the course of his career, Stephen has worked in both Queensland and Victoria, with experience appearing in a range of tribunals and courts, including the Administrative Appeals Tribunal (Qld), District Court of Queensland, VCAT, and the Magistrates’ Court of Victoria.

Stephen’s current areas of practice include:

Areas of Expertise:

• Body Corporate law (including Management Rights, governance advice, and disputes)

• Business and commercial transactions (including business sales and acquisitions, partnership agreements, and Put and Call Options)

• Litigation and dispute resolution across multiple jurisdictions

• Advice and representation for developers, lot owners, and Bodies Corporate

Stephen is well-regarded for his ability to offer strategic, results-driven advice. His clients appreciate his commercial acumen and practical problem-solving, which have earned him a strong referral base throughout Queensland, New South Wales, and Victoria. A recent highlight includes securing a favourable private ATO ruling that granted a GST going concern exemption on a $20 million business acquisition—despite contrary advice from another leading law firm.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor of Applied Science (Human Movement) – Phillip Institute of Technology (RMIT)

• Bachelor of Laws (Honours) – Bond University

Memberships:

• Queensland Law Society