Nicola has worked with EJA for over a decade as Director of Advocacy and Research, working to improve environmental laws.

She led EJA’s clean air campaign which saw her engage with grassroots environment groups and local communities around Australia to protect our right to clean air.

She has also led our federal and state advocacy work on issues such as climate and water law, and national biodiversity laws.

Previously, she worked as a senior lawyer in federal and state governments. Nicola is a Fellow of the Centre for Sustainability Leadership and holds a Masters in Environmental Management.

Elizabeth McKinnon is an experienced environmental lawyer with a passion for using litigation to create change.

After a stint in private practice, Elizabeth moved to Environment Defenders Office Victoria as a public interest environmental litigator.

She was previously General Counsel at the Australian Conservation Foundation, where she led ACF in Federal Court litigation to Stop Adani and advising across a range of operational and governance issues.

Elizabeth has been the Chairperson of Environment Victoria and sits on the editorial panel of the Australian Environment Review. She has 14 years of experience using the law as a tool for change in the environment and climate movements.

Kat is a proud Gubbi Gubbi woman raised on Dharawal and Dharug land. She is committed to centreing intersectionality in her practise as a lawyer, and believes amplifying the voices of people with lived experience is the key to effecting meaningful change.

Previously, Kat worked at Consumer Action Law Centre, including as a lawyer on the Koori Integrated Practice Project in partnership with the Victorian Aboriginal Legal Service.

Kat is one of the youngest speakers to have ever presented at the World Mediation Forum.

Kat holds a Bachelor of Laws (Hons). Her honours research focussed on health and justice impacts experienced by incarcerated First Nations women based on intersecting race, gender and economic discrimination.

Jocelyn lives in Newcastle on Awabakal and Worimi Country.

Jocelyn works in the Coal Pollution Team to protect communities and the environment impacted by pollution from coal fired power stations.

She supports communities across the Hunter region by giving legal advice, strategising litigation opportunities and assisting with community campaigns and law reform projects.

Prior to joining EJA, Jocelyn worked for the NSW Government, as an in-house prosecutor at the Environment Protection Authority and before that, as a strategic and statutory planning officer at the Department of Planning and Environment. Jocelyn holds a Bachelor of Laws and Bachelor of Science. 

Ally is a Senior Lawyer working with communities in Victoria and New South Wales affected by the harmful impacts of coal pollution on human health and the environment. She is a passionate human rights litigator who strives to provide a voice for marginalised and disadvantaged communities.

Prior to joining EJA, Ally worked as a Senior Lawyer at First Nations Legal & Research Services, advocating for land justice for Traditional Owners through litigation, negotiation, and advocacy. She also worked in Maurice Blackburn’s Social Justice Practice, where she advocated for asylum seekers, refugees, and international environmental groups. She also has a background in commercial law and insurance law litigation.

Ally holds a Bachelor of Arts (Hons) and Master of Laws (Juris Doctor) and is also learning Tok Pisin in her spare time. She lives and works on Wurundjeri and Bunurong/Boon Wurrung country.

Nicola is a lawyer working in the ecosystems team. She was previously a lawyer at the Environmental Defenders Office and was researcher (associate) to Justice Preston, Chief Judge of the Land and Environment Court of NSW.

Nicola has a Bachelor of Science and Bachelor of Laws (Hons) from Monash University and a Master of Laws (with Distinction) from the London School of Economics and Political Science.

I am Tongan-born, NZ-raised lawyer who migrated to Australia in 2004. Have worked mainly for First Nations Australians as a Native Title lawyer as well as an ATSILS criminal defence lawyer – working in WA, NT & QLD since 2006. Have worked for a couple of CLCs in recent years – as based in Melbourne – and was in private practice during COVID lockdown period.

Tessa Fluence leads EJA’s communications team.

She has green thumbs and big dreams for a better world. She is passionate about sparking participatory movements to shift the public conversation, re-engage people in our democracy and reconnect communities with each other and our planet.

Before joining EJA, Tessa led change the story campaigning at the Australian Conservation Foundation. She has worked on environmental advocacy campaigns for over a decade, across engagement, communications strategy, narrative research and campaigning.

She has Arts and Law degrees from the University of Melbourne, where she also did a PhD in cultural studies. 

Sam believes deeply in the power of words and stories to connect people, imagine a better future, and create change. Luckily, as a digital campaigner, she spends much of her time thinking about exactly that.

Her background is in climate justice activism and community organising, previously the Communications Manager at the Australian Youth Climate Coalition. Sam has a Bachelor of Arts and is currently completing a Masters of Environment at the University of Melbourne.

Beyond her work with EJA, Sam is a writer and keen open water swimmer, regularly throwing herself into the lovable, icy waters of Port Phillip Bay in Naarm/Melbourne.

As Digital Engagement Coordinator, Rachael works with EJA lawyers and the communications team to develop and implement creative digital strategies to grow and activate supporters in the pursuit of climate justice.

Rachael is passionate about shifting the narrative around our climate and nature and engaging people in democracy to create a better and world for all of us. They have worked in environmental advocacy for a number of years, across fundraising, communications and community organising. Rachael also have a Bachelor of Science and a Masters of Environment and Sustainability from Monash University.

Outside of their work, Rachael loves being active and is often found running and walking on the twisting trails along the Yarra River (Birrarung), climbing some fake rocks, and occasionally doing some sick flips.

Aaron has over 20 years’ experience in I.T desktop, infrastructure and application systems in corporate, education and Arts based organisations. In recent times, becoming conversant in Mac, SaaS and SQL systems, along with security and I.T policy audits.

He has volunteered for organisations such as the Centre for Sustainability Leadership, the South-Side Greens for 2014  council elections, the Victorian Greens in their 2017 campaign and Get-Up for the 2019 Federal election.

He holds a Bachelor of Computing from Monash University and is certified for ITIL v.3.0. and ACS’ inaugural Green I.T course

Outside of work he is a full writer/member of APRA/AMCOS, having toured dive-bars of the world with indie-pop band the Earthmen and hopefully his new experimental rock band Ekranoplans.