Our people
Committed lawyers, campaigners, communicators, policy experts and specialists – we're a small team of good humans achieving big goals.
Our board
With extensive board and governance experience, an environmental science background and past life working as a park ranger in the Northern Territory, Tony is currently a director of the National Native Title Council.
Tony is also lawyer and CEO of First Nations Legal and Research Services. He has over 10 years’ experience working to advance Traditional Owner rights and interests.
Having worked across a number of sectors in leadership roles including manufacturing, banking and the not-for-profit sector, Kate is currently a Business Partnerships Manager at Sustainability Victoria. She has previously led the Alternative Technology Association as CEO and worked as the National Accreditation Manager for the Clean Energy Council.
Kate holds a B. Eng in Chemistry (Hons) and a MEnv in Eng.
Ann-Maree has held a number of board and executive finance, governance and compliance roles with not-for-profit charitable organisations. She is currently the Chief Financial Officer and Company Secretary of Conservation Volunteers Australia and New Zealand.
Ann-Maree is also Fellow member of CPA, a member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and associate member of the Governance Institute of Australia.
A leading voice for the protection and restoration of Victoria’s stressed rivers for over 20 years, Juliet is a zoologist by training and life-long environmentalist.
She has advocated for our rivers as an EJA staff member and managed Environment Victoria’s healthy rivers campaigns until 2019.
She continues to work with river champions and community groups across Victoria and throughout the Murray-Darling Basin, providing leadership, mentoring and expert advice.
Bringing biodiversity conservation and regulation expertise, including the development of environmental markets,
Victoria trained as a lawyer and has worked across the private, not-for-profit and public sectors in media/ communications and consumer law.
She led Trust for Nature as CEO and currently serves as Chair of the Australian Land Conservation Alliance and director of Yarra Valley Water Corporation.
Victoria has also served as chair of the Consumer Action Law Centre and Abbotsford Convent Foundation, CEO of the Legal Services Board (Victoria), Legal Services Commissioner (Victoria), Deputy Telecommunications Industry Ombudsman and a trustee of the Victorian Arts Centre Trust.
Sally trained as a corporate and commercial lawyer and now works on specific projects across the arts and business transactions, in both for-profit and not-for-profit areas.
She was a core member of the community group which campaigned successfully to create an arts and cultural precinct at the Abbotsford Convent and was a founder Director of the not-for-profit Abbotsford Convent Foundation from 2004 until 2017.
Sally has specific experience in fundraising, corporate governance and the operation of enterprises in the primary production sectors. Sally holds an LLB (Hons).
Clint is a Murri man from far north Queensland, with Ewamian and Kuku-Yalinji ancestry. He is a lawyer, solicitor advocate, academic, consultant, artist and writer.
Clint has over 20 years of legal experience across a diverse portfolio of roles, including at the Australian Taxation Office, NSW Legal Aid, Victorian Aboriginal Legal Service and Arts Law.
He also has accounting, academic and consulting experience, and has volunteered for many community organisations including Fitzroy Legal Service.
He has joined EJA as a Board Observer and Reconciliation Action Plan Working Group member.
Brooke (she/they) is a queer First Nations single mum, poet, podcaster, business mentor, and artist manager living on Darkinjung land.
Brooke brings a unique perspective and extensive experience to her work. With over 15 years in community services and 5 years in the arts industry, she possesses a deep understanding of diverse communities and creative expression.
Brooke’s talent as a writer and poet has gained national recognition, including achieving 2nd place in the esteemed 2020 Judith Wright Poetry Prize.
Our leadership team
Nicola leads EJA as Co-CEO, with over two decades experience as a lawyer and a decade at EJA.
She previously led EJA’s clean air work, supporting local communities around Australia to protect their right to clean air. She has also led numerous reform processes at federal and state level to secure improved climate, water and nature laws.
Previously, she worked as a senior lawyer in federal and state governments, in international and domestic law.
Nicola is a Fellow of the Centre for Sustainability Leadership and holds Bachelor of Laws, a Bachelor of Arts, and a Masters in Environmental Management.
Elizabeth (Lill) leads EJA as Co-CEO with Nicola Rivers. She is an experienced environmental lawyer with a passion for using litigation to create change.
After a stint in private practice, Lill moved to Environment Defenders Office Victoria as a public interest environmental litigator.
She was previously General Counsel at the Australian Conservation Foundation. Here, she led ACF in Federal Court litigation to Stop Adani and advising across a range of operational and governance issues.
Lill has been the Chairperson of Environment Victoria. She has nearly two decade's experience using the law as a tool for change in the environment and climate movements.
Lill holds a combined Bachelor of Environmental Sciences/Bachelor of Laws and Legal Practice from Flinders University. She currently lives, works and plays on Wurundjeri Country.
After joining the EJA Board in 2012, Thea became our Chief Operating Officer in 2017. Since then, she has supported and sustained the seamless operation of all EJA's endeavours.
Thea has a background as a lawyer, an environmental consultant in contaminated land site assessment and environmental auditing, and as a Deloitte consultant in the UK and Australia.
Thea holds a combined Bachelor of Environmental Engineering (Hons) / Bachelor of Laws (Hons) and has been admitted to practice in Victoria.
She lives and works on Wurundjeri Country.
As the Principal Lawyer, Alina provides leadership and support to our legal teams and clients. She has extensive experience in strategic litigation, law reform, program planning and coalition building.
Alina’s background includes working as Special Counsel at the Environmental Defenders Office, as Managing Lawyer, Economic and Social Rights, at Victoria Legal Aid, at the Human Rights Law Centre and the Northern Territory Legal Aid Commission.
Her earlier work focused on economic and social rights and the rights of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
Alina holds a Bachelor of Laws (Hons) and a Bachelor of Arts. She lives and works on Wurundjeri Country.
Retta co-leads EJA's public interest litigation and legal interventions for a safe climate and justice for frontline communities.
She focuses on the role of institutions and governance systems in the management of climate risks to people, communities and nature.
With broad public law expertise, Retta has specialised knowledge of domestic human rights instruments in Australia, including conducting litigation under the Charter of Human Rights and Responsibilities Act 2006 (Vic).
Retta has previously worked as a legal advisor and litigator for the Victorian government, and in a specialist community legal centre providing advice and contributing to law reform campaigns.
Retta holds a Juris Doctor and a Bachelor of Social Science.
Charley co-leads EJA's public interest litigation and legal interventions for a safe climate and justice for frontline communities.
She oversees EJA's climate and coal pollution work, and represented our client Environment Victoria in the landmark coal pollution case, challenging the EPA and three power station companies for their failure to limit toxic pollution.
Before joining EJA, Charley worked at Victoria Legal Aid on strategic litigation and social justice campaigns such as the Robodebt test case, as well as advocating for the rights of tenants and people with disabilities.
Charley has also represented and advised the Victorian government in administrative law matters and worked for a community legal centre.
Charley has a Bachelor of Laws (Hons) and Bachelor of Arts.
Tessa leads the team responsible for EJA's media, campaigning, digital strategy, and creative content. Working closely with legal programs, she provides strategic direction across the organisation’s communications and public engagement.
Tessa has nearly two decades of experience working on climate justice and environmental campaigns. She's passionate about systems thinking, justice, innovation, co-design and story-based strategy.
As well as a PhD in culture and communication from the University of Melbourne, Tessa holds Arts and Law degrees with honours, and studied visual communication in Germany.
Bruce leads EJA's First Nations and environmental justice program, where he focuses on sharing legal expertise with Traditional Owner clients and partners to improve legal and policy frameworks to exercise their sovereign authority and knowledge to protect and care for Country.
Bruce researches and writes on topics from environmental offsets, water law and native vegetation clearing.
He also engages with community members and stakeholders on our campaigns.
As well as a law degree, Bruce holds a PhD in Administrative Law, a BA (Hons) in Political Science & Government, and a Masters of Environmental Science. He has previously worked as a student advocate, a project officer at Trust for Nature and a lecturer in Law at Deakin University.
Danya is a skilled litigator, advisor and legal commentator who focuses on protecting biodiversity and halting the extinction crisis. She has a particular interest in public land and law that regulates government action.
She collaborates with environment groups to bring novel litigation that improves law through precedent and protects nature from logging, land clearing and mining. Danya manages complex litigation in the Supreme and Federal Courts, speaks and writes on biodiversity law, and advocates for legal change.
Danya has worked in commercial and criminal law, internationally as a human rights advocate, and campaigned in grassroots environment groups. She was awarded the Law Council of Australia’s Mahla Pearlman Young Environmental Lawyer of the Year.
Danya holds a Bachelor of Laws (Hons) and Bachelor of Arts (Geography).
Ellen leads EJA's nature program, providing legal representation and advice to community groups, NGOs and Traditional Owners who care for vital ecosystems on the brink of collapse, as well as advocating for stronger nature laws.
Before joining EJA, Ellen was Deputy Principal Legal Officer at First Nations Legal & Research Services, where she represented Victorian Traditional Owners in land rights-related litigation, negotiation and advocacy and provided corporate governance advice to Traditional Owner corporations. She previously worked as a lawyer for Linklaters LLP in London and Allens in Perth, on corporate, M&A, litigation and Brexit matters.
Ellen has trained as a mediator and was previously a board member of the London community organisation Barnet Mencap.
Ellen has a Bachelor of Laws and a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Western Australia and is currently studying a Masters of Environmental Law at the University of Melbourne. She lives and works on Wurundjeri Country in Naarm.
Ally is the Acting Team Lead for the Justice Team, providing legal and advocacy support to First Nations communities. She is a passionate human rights litigator who strives to provide a voice for frontline communities. Before leading the Justice Team, Ally worked with communities near coal-fired power plants fighting for a clean and healthy environment.
Before joining EJA, Ally worked as a Senior Lawyer at First Nations Legal and Research Services, advocating for native title and land justice rights for Traditional Owners.
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). Ally lives and works in Garramilla (Darwin) on Larrakia country in the Northern Territory
Jane primarily works with communities and groups who want to protect rich and complex ecosystems in northern Australia.
Before joining EJA, Jane worked as a civil lawyer at the North Australian Aboriginal Justice Agency in Darwin and in litigation at Herbert Smith Freehills in Melbourne.
Jane holds a Bachelor of Laws (Hons) and a Bachelor of Arts from Monash University. She lives and works on Wurundjeri Country.
Inshani is an experienced litigator who works across EJA providing specialist litigation expertise.
Her experience in the not-for-profit sector includes pro bono work for the Mental Health Legal Centre where she advocated for clients in the Mental Health Tribunal, and Justice Connect where she advised self-represented litigants.
Inshani previously volunteered at EJA whilst completing her law degree and joined EJA’s Board in 2023, before taking the role of Special Counsel in 2025.
Prior to joining EJA, she worked in private practice in administrative law, commercial litigation and as a Senior Legal Adviser for the Victorian Government.
Inshani holds a Bachelor of Laws and Bachelor of Animal and Veterinary Bioscience (Hons).
Emma focuses on growing and supporting our wonderful group of dedicated donors who financially support EJA's work.
She leads a team of fabulous fundraising professionals who are committed to raising much needed funds via philanthropic support.
Emma lives on Yugambeh land in the Gold Coast with her son and cat.
The EJA staff team
Azalea works with EJA's donors and supporters to bring them closer to the projects and impacts they are powering.
She is passionate about climate and environmental action and is grateful to be part of such a hope-giving movement.
Azalea grew up in Malaysia and brings experience fundraising as well as in public interest litigation, alternative dispute resolution and client and stakeholder engagement.
As a climate lawyer at EJA, Cecile brings a longstanding passion for environmental issues and enjoys finding strategic ways to use the law for climate justice.
Before joining EJA, she worked as a lawyer for the Australian government, an Associate to a Federal Court judge, and at the commercial law firm Clayton Utz.
Cecile has a BSc/LLB (Hons) from the University of Technology, Sydney and a Master of Laws (Distinction) from the London School of Economics.
Ashley works with major funding partners to secure critical funding to supercharge our work.
Ashley has over 10 years of experience in the not-for-profit sector and holds a Bachelor of Business and Masters of International and Community Development.
Helives on Punnilerpanner land in Lutruwita/Tasmania.
Peta is a passionate advocate for intersectional environmentalism, driven by a belief in the power of storytelling and collective action to create change.
With a background in outreach, mobilisation, strategy, and law reform, Peta is an all-rounder in the campaigning world.
She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Science and an Honours degree in Law, enabling her to gain a deep understanding of complex issues and translate them for a broader audience.
Prior to joining EJA, Peta worked with leading organisations such as the Australian Conservation Foundation, Conservation Council ACT Region, Environmental Defenders Office, and GreenLaw.
As part of the Operations team, Joanne is responsible for the oversight of EJA’s day-to-day financial transactions, ensuring all accounting and financial functions are completed in a timely and efficient manner.
She supports the COO with budgeting, financial reporting to the Board, and improving financial processes.
Joanne is passionate about working for the for-purpose sector providing quality financial management to ensure organisations have the resources it needs to achieve its mission both today and in the future.
Prior to EJA, she worked at the Kids Under Cover, Grattan Institute and Foodbank Victoria.
Joanne holds a Bachelor of Business and Accounting and is a member of CPA Australia.
At EJA, Luke is building momentum to permanently protect Victoria's forests beyond the end to most native forest logging in the state.
Before joining EJA, Luke worked in the European Union on forest and climate legislation. He was central to building an alliance of over 120 NGOs fighting to protect forests from being burned for so-called renewable energy.
Luke continues to work for the US-based Environmental Investigation Agency on an investigation in eastern Europe into the sourcing of biomass for renewable energy from the EU’s last intact, old-growth forests.
Luke has worked for decades as a forest campaigner, including at organisations like the Wilderness Society.
Laura is a senior lawyer at EJA, working primarily with communities in northern Australia to protect biodiversity and advocate for stronger legal protections for our ecosystems.
Before joining EJA, Laura worked as a civil lawyer at the North Australian Aboriginal Justice Agency in the Northern Territory and as a medical negligence lawyer at Maurice Blackburn in Melbourne.
Laura holds a Juris Doctor (Hons) from the University of Melbourne and Bachelor of Arts (Hons). She lives and works on Larrakia country.
Isabella is a passionate environmental and social justice lawyer based on Wurunderji country. She works across a range of legal matters for the protection of Australia’s unique ecosystems, including the montane forests and Murray-Darling floodplains in Victoria.
Before EJA, she worked in public law and pro bono teams at Russell Kennedy Lawyers. Isabella has acted for people seeking asylum and refugees at all stages of the refugee determination process, including on visa cancellations matters for First Nations clients.
Isabella has also advocated for refugee rights at Liberty Victoria’s Rights Advocacy Project and the Asylum Seeker Resource Centre.
She holds a Bachelor of Arts and a Juris Doctor of Law.
As a Senior Lawyer in EJA’s Justice Team, Kip acts for Traditional Owners, communities, and First Nations groups in relation to their rights to access, use, protect and speak for Country.
Before joining EJA, Kip worked as a land rights and native title lawyer at the Northern Land Council, and before that, as a civil lawyer at the North Australian Aboriginal Justice Agency.
Prior to his time in the Territory, he worked in personal injury at Maurice Blackburn Lawyers.
Kip holds a Bachelor of Laws from the Australian National University.
Aaron is a problem-solver who keeps EJA's IT operations secure and running smoothly, including recent migrations to cloud-based technologies and infrastructure.
He has over 25 years IT experience spanning desktop, infrastructure, and application systems across corporate, education, and Arts-based organisations.
Aaron is also an avid volunteer, having dedicated his time to Centre for Sustainability Leadership, the Greens and Get-Up.
He holds a Bachelor of Computing and is a full writer/member of APRA/AMCOS.
Kathryn is a dedicated paralegal behind the scenes, providing invaluable support to EJA's Nature and Justice Teams. With a passion for protecting the environment, she's the bridge that ensures our legal initiatives are executed smoothly and efficiently.
Kathryn holds Bachelors of Law and Science and a Masters of Environmental Science from Monash University.
Before EJA she has worked in the local government environment space and in corporate environmental improvement.
At EJA, Natalie represents forest activists in court and provides assistance in relation to infringement notices. She also works across a range of legal matters in montane forests and the Murray Darling floodplains in Victoria, where she helps the community and environment groups defend and regenerate ecosystems and advocate for stronger protections.
Before joining EJA, Natalie was a criminal lawyer and worked at state and federal government prosecution agencies in Queensland and Victoria.
Natalie holds a Bachelor of Laws (Hons) / Bachelor of Business Management from the University of Queensland.
Mandy works with the operations team and also as an editor, ensuring our publications speak directly to people who need to understand legal issues in protecting the environment.
Mandy has been working with not-for-profit organisations since 1996. Before starting with EJA in 2005, Mandy worked for a firm providing legal and consulting services exclusively for not-for-profits. She previously spent seven years at BirdLife Australia.
Mandy holds a Bachelor of Arts and a Diploma of Professional Writing and Editing. She is an Accredited Editor with the Institute of Professional Editors.
Dakota is a paralegal with the Nature Team at EJA, having initially joined as a Winter Intern through the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Internship Program. During her internship, she contributed to land clearing and threatened species research in the Northern Territory.
A proud Noongar woman, Dakota is deeply passionate about Indigenous justice and advocating for women who have experienced domestic violence.
Currently in her third year of a Bachelor of Laws at Monash University, Dakota has also gained valuable experience through a summer internship at a family law firm.
At EJA, Sam focuses on holding decision-makers to account for the impacts of their actions on communities and ecosystems. Using their legal, policy and systems analysis skills, Sam helps create collaborative, community-driven efforts to prevent climate change.
Previously, Sam provided research and strategy support to community groups about fossil fuel projects around Australia. Sam has also worked as a consultant in the government advisory sector, and as an Associate at the Supreme Court of Victoria.
Sam holds a Bachelor of Arts, a Juris Doctor and a Graduate Certificate in Environment.
Jocelyn lives in Newcastle on unceded Awabakal Country where she supports communities in NSW coal regions in their fight for a safe climate future and healthy environment.
Before joining EJA, Jocelyn worked as a prosecutor at the NSW Environment Protection Authority taking polluters to court for major environmental crime. Prior to that she worked in strategic and statutory planning for the Hunter at the NSW Department of Planning and Environment. Jocelyn has lectured at Monash University in Corporate Sustainability Regulation.
Jocelyn holds a Bachelor of Laws and Bachelor of Science from the University of Wollongong.
Shannon provides crucial legal and administrative support to the climate team across strategic litigation and community engagement.
With a strong commitment to environmental advocacy and community engagement, Shannon is a driving force behind our efforts.
Before joining EJA, Shannon worked on Native Title in southern Queensland, supporting Traditional Owners to achieve self-determination through Native Title recognition.
She is a law graduate with experience in biological sciences and on citizen science projects in Queensland and Western Australia.
Elke is a lawyer at Environmental Justice Australia, working in the Justice team.
She specialises in working with environmental justice communities who are overburdened by environmental impacts. She is a passionate advocate for improving air quality and protecting waterway ecosystem health. She has supported community groups opposing dams, waste-to-energy facilities and major road projects.
Before joining EJA, Elke worked in personal injury law, primarily representing survivors of institutional child abuse.
She has many years of experience working and volunteering in the environmental and social justice not-for-profit sector. She has contributed to forest protection and climate campaigns in NSW and Victoria.
Elke holds a Juris Doctor from Monash University and a Bachelor of Arts (Communication Studies). She lives and works on Wurundjeri Country.
Miki is a powerful storyteller who brings a wealth of experience and passion to EJA.
As an award-winning senior journalist for almost two decades, she covered environmental and social issues in The Age and Sydney Morning Herald as a climate and environment reporter and social affairs editor.
Since leaving The Age in 2024, Miki has worked as a journalism lecturer, media consultant and comms strategist, written for the Guardian and Crikey News and more.
At EJA, Miki helps our clients, communities and legal teams share their stories as they work towards climate and social justice.
Rahul is a Lawyer working in the climate team.
Prior to joining EJA, Rahul worked overseas in Belgium for 3 years as a Legal Consultant, advising multinationals on compliance with laws and policies safeguarding the environment, human rights, and workplace health and safety. He co-founded a youth organisation (AYFICE) to better engage young Australians with international climate policy and negotiations, and has experience teaching at a high school. He has previously volunteered and worked as a Law Graduate at EJA.
Rahul holds a Bachelor of Laws (Hons) and Bachelor of Commerce (Economics major). He lives and works on Wurundjeri Country.
Since joining EJA, Nicola has defended Victoria's forests from industrial logging, notching up thousands of hours representing citizen scientists from Wildlife of the Central Highlands. Now Nicola uses her litigation expertise to support communities fighting for a healthy Murray River.
Nicola began her legal journey began as a lawyer at the Environmental Defenders Office and as a researcher (associate) to the Chief Judge of the Land and Environment Court of NSW.
She 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.
Mera Sivanesan is a lawyer at Environmental Justice Australia supporting First Nations people to exercise their rights and obligations to care for Country.
Prior to joining EJA, Mera worked as a lawyer at knowmore Legal Service assisting survivors of child sexual abuse. She has also worked and volunteered in the Victorian community sector since 2010 supporting grassroots organisations and community legal centres across the areas of refugee and asylum seeker advocacy, mental health, homelessness and family violence.
Mera holds a Juris Doctor from Monash University and an Honours Bachelor of Arts from the University of Toronto.
She is a member of the Eelam Tamil diaspora and was raised on the Treaty Lands and Territory of the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation.
She currently lives and works on Wurundjeri Country.
In their role as Digital Fundraising Coordinator, Rachael drives EJA’s digital campaigns to grow and activate supporters.
Rachael has over 5+ years of experience in the not-for-profit sector working in fundraising, communications and community organising, and holds a Bachelor of Science and a Masters of Environment and Sustainability from Monash University.
Rachael lives and works on Wurundjeri land in Naarm/Melbourne.
Virginia is a senior lawyer at Environmental Justice Australia.
She has extensive experience supporting community groups to use the law to protect the environment and human health from pollution and waste and has represented local communities to stop large polluting projects (including gas import terminals and open-cut mines).
Before joining EJA, Virginia worked as a lawyer in private practice, as a Judge’s associate in the County Court of Victoria and as an adviser in policy and strategy in the Victorian State Government.
Virginia lives and works on Wurundjeri Country. She holds a Juris Doctor from the Australian National University and a Bachelor of Arts (Hons) from the University of Melbourne.
Michaela is a senior lawyer at Environmental Justice Australia.
Prior to working at EJA, Michaela was a regional lawyer at the Northern Land Council, a civil solicitor at the North Australian Aboriginal Justice Agency and an Associate to a Supreme Court Judge.
Michaela holds a Bachelor of Arts/Law(Hons) from the University of New South Wales and a Bachelor of Arts(Hons) from the University of Sydney. She also has a Graduate Certificate of Arts in Yolngu Languages and Culture. She lives and works on Wurundjeri Country.
Hannah is passionate about using the law to make sure that the voices of people and communities are amplified on the climate issues that affect them.
Before joining EJA, Hannah spent 6 years working as a criminal lawyer, including as a Senior Prosecutor with the federal government, where her practice included environmental and white-collar crime prosecutions. She has also worked with the Net Zero Lawyer’s Alliance to help legal practitioners provide net zero-aligned advice and with the University of Cambridge to co-develop climate focused short courses.
Hannah has a Bachelor of Laws (Hons) from the University of Wollongong and a Master of Laws from New York University which focused on the intersection between climate change and human rights.
Hannah lives and works on Wurundjeri Country. She is learning Auslan in her spare time.
As the Key Relationships Lead, James is driven by a deep passion for the environment and a commitment to building impactful partnerships that help drive EJA’s mission for environmental and social justice.
James has a dynamic background spanning environmental law, finance, and renewable energy. Before joining EJA, James spent six years in California as Vice President of Institutional Sales, leading capital-raising efforts for some of the largest renewable energy projects ever completed. Prior to that, James was an environmental lawyer at Minter Ellison.
Based in Bondi Beach on Gadigal land, James enjoys an active outdoor lifestyle, involving surfing, yoga, and running, and always finds time to connect with nature, whether in the mountains or by the ocean.
James holds a Bachelor of Laws & Bachelor of Property from The University of Melbourne.
