Carroll & O'Dea
Michael O'Dea

Michael O'Dea
Special Counsel

T: (02) 9291 7143
F: (02) 9221 1117
E: Michael O'Dea
Areas of Practice
Not for Profit Organisations, Business Services, Litigation,
Estates & Estate Planning

Current Practice
During his forty years of legal practice, Michael O’Dea has practised extensively in conveyancing, probate, revenue law, estate planning, personal injury (Supreme and District Court), industrial law, commercial litigation in the Federal Court and Supreme Court and general commercial work. Today, Michael advises a large number of our "not-for-profit" clients and practises in the areas of Business Services, Estates & Estate Planning and Litigation (in particular Defamation and Commercial).  Michael O'Dea was the Managing Partner of Carroll & O'Dea until January 2006.

Michael acted as a part-time arbitrator in the Supreme Court of New South Wales for some ten years. He is also a trained mediator. In addition to his extremely wide and broad based legal experience, Michael has served on a significant number of community organisations including:

  • Two terms as an Alderman of North Sydney Council
  • Two annual terms as a Mayor of North Sydney Council
  • Member of the Advisory Board of St Ignatius' College Riverview (5 years)
  • Member of the Executive Board of St Aloysius' College (6 years)
  • Founding Chairman of the Executive Board of Loreto Kirribilli (7 years)
  • Member of the Board of Sacred Heart Hospice (including 13 years as Chairman)
  • Member of the Board of St Margaret's Hospital (9 years)
  • Member of the Board of Mater Misericordiae Hospital (5 years)
  • Founding Chairman of North Sydney Retirement Trust (38 years & continuing)
  • Founding Chairman of James Milson Nursing Home (26 years & continuing)
  • Member of the Christian Brothers Provincial Advisory Council (12 years)
  • Member of the St John of God Advisory Council (6 years)
  • Founding Chairman of Sisters of St Joseph Peruvian Mission (13 years)
  • Chairman of Our Lady of the Sacred Heart Overseas Aid Fund (8 years & continuing)
  • Former Member of State Board of St Vincent de Paul Society
  • Member of the North Sydney Parish Finance Committee (Current)
  • Member of the North Sydney Planning Committee (Current)

In recognition of his services to the community, particularly in aged care, Michael was made a member of the Order of Australia in 1992. In 2002 Michael was awarded the Edmund Rice Bicentenary Medal for “extraordinary support given to the Mission of the Christian Brothers”.  In 2006, Michael received, from the Provincial of the Jesuits, the Jubilee Medal of the First Companions for his community service.  
In 2008 Michael was awarded a Papal Knighthood, and was appointed Knight Commander of the Papal Order of St Gregory the Great, for distinguished services to the Church in the Archdiocese of Sydney.
Through his community involvement, Michael's valuable experience places him in a unique position to properly understand and effectively advise the not-for-profit organisations which he advises and represents. In addition, through this experience he has been able to bring a multi-dimensional approach to the management of Carroll & O'Dea, which has had a significant influence in guiding the firm in its continued progress and development.

Professional Background
Michael has Bachelor of Arts and Master of Laws degrees from the University of Sydney. He is admitted as a solicitor of the Supreme Court of New South Wales and the High Court of Australia and is a Notary Public.  Michael joined Carroll & O'Dea in 1960 and was a partner from 1963 until his retirement from the partnership in 2006.  He is currently a Consultant to the firm.
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