David Morris, CEO

David is Chief Executive Officer of the Environmental Defenders Office following the EDO merger, which saw the creation of the single regionally focused EDO in 2019. He is responsible for leading the organisation to advance the EDO’s mission of ‘A world where nature thrives’. David oversees the strategic direction of EDO’s public interest environmental law services and is based on Awabakal Land (Newcastle, NSW).

Before being appointed as CEO of the EDO, David previously served from 2017 to 2019 as the CEO of the Environmental Defenders Office NSW. Prior to that David held a range of legal roles in private practice, government, and for nearly 5 years served as the Principal Lawyer of the EDO in the Northern Territory. Highlights of David’s time in the Northern Territory include acting for the Traditional Owners of Watarrka National Park, assisting them to successfully oppose oil and gas exploration within the Park and acting for community members on Garawa, Yanuwa, Mara, and Gurdanji land on a wide range of issues relating to Glencore’s McArthur River Mine.

David has broad environmental law experience, but has had a particular focus on disputes related to mining, gas, and cultural heritage. As a solicitor, David regularly acted for NGOs, community groups, and Aboriginal traditional owners and appeared as solicitor advocate in a variety of court and tribunal proceedings.

David currently serves on the advisory council of the GrataFund and previously held governance roles with the Australian Conservation Foundation as both a Council member and Board Director. In 2016, David received the Law Council of Australia’s Mahla Pearlman Young Australian Environmental Lawyer of the Year Award. David has undertaken a range of leadership training. In 2018 he was selected to participate in the prestigious International Visitor Leadership Program, run by the US Department of State and in 2021 was awarded a scholarship to attend the McKinsey Executive Leadership Program.

David received his B.A and LLB from Monash University.

Office of the CEO

The longest serving EDO solicitor in Australia, Jo joined EDO Qld in 1992 after working in company and commercial law with Minter Ellison in Sydney.

For the past 25-plus years, Jo has been dedicated to providing legal advice and education to Queensland communities.  She has been instrumental in the reformation of Queensland’s environmental laws, including successfully advocating for expanded third-party enforcement rights. Jo has worked on more than 20 successful test cases concerning Commonwealth and State environmental laws.

As Director of the Queensland office, Jo successfully grew the office from a small government-funded community legal centre to a vibrant and effective public interest law office with 13 staff and diverse funding sources that is now part of a strong merged national EDO.

Jo-Anne graduated from Sydney University in 1988 with a Bachelor of Arts and a Bachelor of Laws.

In 2020 Jo was the recipient of the Queensland Law Society’s Agnes McWhinney Award and the Access to Justice Award

Tracy Stubbs is skilled senior executive assistant with a focus on strategic partnership. As the EA to the CEO & Board Secretariat at EDO, Tracy brings over 20 years of experience across c-suite support, event & project management, and board secretariat.

As passion-projects on the side, Tracy ran the Writer’s Green Room at Sydney Writers Festival for 7 years and was an ASM in theatre specialising in outdoor productions, giving her invaluable experience outside her corporate environment in collaboration, event management & stakeholder engagement at all levels.

Our Teams & Programs

Healthy Environment & Justice Program
Systemic Change Program
First Nations Program
Science & Expert Advisory Program
Finance & Operations
Fundraising, Marketing & Communications

Healthy Environment & Justice Program

Nicole Sommer, Director

Nicole leads EDO’s Healthy Environment & Justice Program, working in human rights and environmental justice.

Her team of lawyers work across Australia, connected with communities in 8 locations.

Nicole has almost 20 years of legal experience, appearing as counsel in Courts and Tribunals, and advising clients on a broad range of environment protection issues.

Nicole sits on the Law Council of Australia’s Environment and Planning Law Group, the Board of Disability Voices Tasmania, and holds a Masters of Environmental Management.

The Healthy Environment & Justice Program Management Team

Rana has a lead role in the litigation team in Sydney, supervising litigation and acting in environmental, administrative and other civil enforcement proceedings in Federal and State jurisdictions. She provides legal advice and representation to groups and individuals in seeking to protect their local communities, water sources and biodiversity from the impacts of fossil fuel development. 

During her time at the Environmental Defenders Office, Rana has achieved a number of successful outcomes in judicial review for her clients, including the Land and Environment Court, NSW Court of Appeal and the High Court decisions defending the refusal of the Bylong Valley coal mine, NSW Court of Appeal judgment that the Springvale coal mine extension at Newnes Plateau was unlawfully granted, in Federal Court proceedings for the protection of Middle Head in Sydney Harbour for the Headland Preservation Group, and in proceedings on the assessment of proposed land clearing at Kingvale located in one of the northern catchments of the Great Barrier Reef.

Rana also contributes her expertise to the International Program, specifically with our partners in the Solomon Islands. She is a member of the IUCN World Commission on Environmental Law.  

Rana joined the Environmental Defenders Office in October 2013 as an advice and law reform solicitor specialising in legislative protection of the Great Barrier Reef. Prior to this, Rana practised as a solicitor in native title, as well as in private practice in corporate and commercial litigation. Rana holds a Bachelor of Arts (UQ), a Bachelor of Laws (Hons, QUT) in which she was awarded the Freehills prize for first place in property law, and is currently completing a Master of Laws (Sydney). 

Elanor joined the EDO in February 2021.Prior to this, Elanor worked as a criminal lawyer for 5 years in Alice Springs for the Northern Territory Legal Aid Commission practicing primarily in the area of youth justice. In this role, Elanor advocated for the rights of her clients within the courtroom appearing in the NT Youth Justice and Supreme Courts as well as outside the courtroom through her involvement in the Central Australian Youth Justice Committee and the Ministerial Youth Justice Advisory Committee.

Elanor is excited to back in the environmental legal space, having volunteered for 4 years with EDO Victoria/Environmental Justice Australia and clerking at Earth Justice’s International Office.
Elanor’s role at EDO involves working with First Nations communities on environmental as well as cultural heritage matters. She brings to this role a range of experience working with First Nations communities in the NT as well as through her studies.

Elanor holds a BA from Western University in Canada, an MSc from the University of Oxford (where her dissertation focused on the application of a human rights framework on oil exploration in the Ecuadorian Amazon), a JD from the University of Melbourne and a Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice from the Australian National University. She was admitted in November 2014.

Kirstiana has responsibility for EDO’s northern Queensland work in planning and environment law, legal advice, law reform and community legal education.

Her previous work as a dive master, underwater videographer and deckhand in both Cairns and the Whitsundays enlivened and educated her about environmental issues particular to Northern Queensland and is what led Kirstiana to undertake a law degree at JCU Cairns.

She has worked in private practice since 2009 and is thrilled to now be working for an organisation that aligns with her passion for social justice and the environment.

Revel commenced work with EDO Qld in 2011 and returned in 2014 after taking a year off to complete a masters degree overseas. Prior to working at EDO, Revel worked at Minter Ellison in their planning and environment team, as well as working as a sustainability educator in Mexico. Revel tutors and guest lectures in various subjects, including in planning law, mining and resource law and environment law courses at Griffith University, Queensland University of Technology and University of Queensland.

Revel has a Bachelor of Laws and Bachelor of Environmental Management from the University of Queensland, a Masters in Culture and Development Studies from KU Leuven, Belgium and a Graduate Certificate in Policy and Governance from Queensland University of Technology. Revel was recipient of the 2017-2018 Mahla Pearlman Australian Young Environmental Lawyer of the Year award.

Melanie joined EDO as the Managing Lawyer of the ACT Practice in January 2021.

Prior to this, Melanie worked at the Victorian Government Solicitor’s Office where she advised Victorian government bodies in relation to administrative law, and in particular on planning and environment law.

Melanie has previously worked as a refugee lawyer in Australia and overseas, and has gained broad expertise in administrative, environmental, refugee, human rights and international law.

Melanie has a particular interest in environmental justice and advocating for the recognition of the human right to a healthy environment.

Claire joined the EDO’s Hobart office in 2016 and was appointed the Managing Lawyer in 2020. In addition to overseeing the operations of EDO’s Tasmanian office, Claire provides advice to Tasmanian clients in all aspects of state and federal environment and planning law. She also conducts litigation on behalf of clients in Tasmania’s Resource Management and Planning Appeal Tribunal, the Supreme Court of Tasmania and the Federal Court of Australia.

During her time with EDO, Claire has obtained successful outcomes for a range of clients in relation to cases involving public land management and establishing legal standing. 

Claire holds undergraduate degrees in Laws (Hons) and Environmental Science from Griffith University and has over 12 years’ experience as an environmental lawyer in Tasmania, Queensland and Victoria.

Prior to joining EDO, Claire undertook environmental prosecutions and other litigation for the Queensland Government.


The Healthy Environment & Justice Team

National

Mandy is the Executive Assistant to the Directors of our Legal Programs.

Heather joined the EDO as the Executive and Program Assistant for the Healthy Environment and Justice Program in January 2021. She holds responsibility for supporting the Director Healthy Environment and Justice, the project management of State and other funding agreements, and various other projects that ensure the program operates efficiently and meets its compliance obligations.
Heather brings over eight years of experience in the not-for-profit sector to the EDO, with roles in community health with Darebin Community Health as an Executive Assistant, and sport for positive social impact and gender equity with City in the Community (Melbourne City FC) as a Program Coordinator.
As an engaged member of her community, she volunteered as the Secretary of her local primary school council and runs programs to support women to become more active at her local soccer club. She has studied project management, sport and recreation administration, leadership, human-centred design and trauma-informed coaching.

Justine Emerson is a National Intake Solicitor in the Healthy Environment & Justice Team.

Joanna is a National Intake Graduate Solicitor in the Healthy Environment & Justice Team.

ACT

Joshua joined EDO’s Healthy Environment and Justice Program in August 2021.

 

Prior to joining EDO, Joshua practiced as a solicitor in Sydney, working in all areas of litigation including administrative law, civil and commercial litigation, and insolvency. Joshua appeared or instructed in a variety of jurisdictions, including all of New South Wales Courts, including the Land and Environment Court, and the Federal Court and Federal Circuit Court of Australia.

Before being admitted a solicitor, Joshua interned with the Northern Territory Legal Aid Commission in Darwin and volunteered with the Aboriginal Legal Service ACT/ NSW, in its Sydney office.

Joshua holds a Bachelor of Political Economics and Social Science from the University of Sydney and Juris Doctor from the University of New South Wales. Joshua is currently undertaking a Master of Laws at the University of Sydney with focus on human rights and environmental law. He was admitted as a solicitor in April 2018.

New South Wales

Natalie joined EDO in Sydney in September 2018 as a senior solicitor in the litigation team. She provides clients with legal advice in relation to all aspects of state and federal environment and planning law.

Prior to joining EDO, Natalie worked as an arbitration lawyer in Singapore and as a solicitor in the Sydney Resources group of Ashurst Australia. She has also worked as the research associate to the Hon Justice PM Biscoe of the NSW Land and Environment Court and as an environmental consultant in corporate practice.

Natalie completed a Bachelor of Science (Advanced)/Bachelor of Laws at the University of Sydney and was admitted as a solicitor in NSW in 2008.

Rachael joined EDO’s Healthy Environment and Justice Program in January 2021. She has over nine years’ experience in environmental law and policy. Rachael also has community organising experience on climate and environmental justice campaigns and is passionate about empowering communities who are seeking environmental justice.

Prior to joining EDO, Rachael worked as a policy lawyer with Environmental Justice Australia. Rachael has also worked as a solicitor to government, the researcher to the Inquiry into Hydraulic Fracturing in the Northern Territory, tipstaff to Acting Justice Molesworth at the NSW Land and Environment Court, and an environmental consultant in the private sector.

Rachael holds a Bachelor of Laws/Bachelor of Arts from the University of Technology, Sydney and a Master of Laws (with Distinction), specialising in environmental law, from the Australian National University. She was admitted as a solicitor in February 2012.

Jasper joined EDO as the National Intake Solicitor in September 2020 and moved into the NSW HEJ team in 2022.

Jasper holds a Bachelor of Laws with Honours and a Bachelor of Commerce (with distinction) and was awarded the Students of Law Community Scholarship for his involvement in local ocean conservation programs throughout his studies.

He has contributed to many published articles in various journals in relation to environmental law, property law, property rights and contemporary environmental and social issues.

Rebekah is a Legal Administrator in New South Wales for the Healthy Environment & Justice Team.
Northern Territory

Natalie joined the EDO in May 2021. Prior to joining the EDO, Natalie worked for NSW Crown Solicitor’s Office, where she advised NSW government departments and agencies across a range of practice areas, including in the environmental and natural resources context. She also spent a year working as the Researcher to the NSW Court of Appeal.

Natalie holds a Bachelor of Laws (Hons Class I) / Bachelor of Arts from the University of Sydney and was admitted to practice in 2018. She is passionate about using the law strategically to contribute to long-lasting reform and social change.

Ingrid is a legal administrator in EDO's Northern Territory team
Southern & Central Queensland

Mollie has joined the EDO after having previously volunteered as a student whilst completing a Bachelor of Arts/Law at the University of Queensland.

Prior to this, Mollie worked as a Judge's Associate in the Federal Court of Australia, and was a Graduate at the Department of Agriculture, Water and Environment. She also has experience in native title, having worked part time at the National Native Title Tribunal whilst completing her studies.

Mollie is a proud Quandamooka woman from Minjerribah (Stradbroke Island).

Maeve is a Solicitor in Southern & Central Queensland for the Healthy Environment & Justice team. 

Karen joined EDO in June 2018.  She has extensive legal administrative experience, working in the private sector and as a consultant in the legal and technology sectors.  Karen has a Juris Doctor from Duke University.

Karen also works in the Systemic Change, Biodiversity team.

North Queensland

Naim grew up in Townsville and studied a joint Arts-Law degree at James Cook University where he graduated with honours. Naim spent a lot of his childhood outside under the North Queensland sun and learnt to truly appreciate the amazing environment we have up here after spending a semester abroad in China and experiencing the reality of life with widespread environmental pollution. Naim started out with EDO in North Queensland as a volunteer before being offered a position and was admitted as a solicitor in March 2019.

Marie is a Legal Administrator in EDO's North Queensland team.
South Australia

Gabrielle is a Legal Administrator in EDO's South Australia team.
Tasmania

Akanksha joined the EDO in 2022, she has a Master of Business Administration in Project Management. She is passionate about women's rights, the environment & leading a sustainable life. She is currently studying Sustainability at UTAS.

Western Australia

Jessica is a Solicitor in Western Australia for the Healthy Environment & Justice Team.

Liam is a Legal Administrator in Western Australia for the Healthy Environment & Justice Team.

Back to Our Teams & Programs

First Nations Program

Casey Kickett, Director

Casey Kickett is a proud Noongar woman, hailing from the Whadjuk, Yued, Ballardong and Wardandi Noongar Countries. Casey joined EDO in June 2022 as the inaugural Director of the First Nations Program.

Casey holds a Bachelor of Arts and has gone on to complete post-graduate studies with a Graduate Certificate in Adult and Tertiary Education, which led Casey to become an Associate Lecturer within the University of Western Australia’s School of Indigenous Studies. Casey has also studied in the conservation space, and has since worked in Aboriginal cultural heritage and native title within the Western Australian State Government, where she advocated for providing Traditional Owners with the ability to reconnect back to Country and cultural heritage sites which sit within Public Drinking Water Source Areas (PDWSAs) across Western Australia.

Casey cares deeply not only about her own Country, but also about enabling First Nations peoples across Australia and the Torres Strait Islands to be with and care for their Countries, as they see fit. Casey has always worked alongside First Nations communities and peoples, and advocates for First Nations voices to be front and centre of all decisions that impact them.

EDO recognises that a key part of achieving environmental justice in Australia is the central place of First Nations across all facets of the organisation’s work.

EDO aims to support First Nations to protect their Countries, and centre understanding of – and respect for – their perspectives in our work.

To achieve this goal, EDO engaged the Jumbunna Institute for Indigenous Education and Research and Madjulla Inc. to undertake consultancies on the design of a First Nations Program that will work with and advocate for the rights of First Nations in our work.

These consultancies have culminated in final reports which make crucial recommendations for the design and operation of the First Nations Program.

Casey Kickett – Director, First Nations Program – will co-design the First Nations Program with a First Nations Advisory Committee. The internal First Nations Working Group will help to support the Program’s creation and execution.

We look forward to providing updates on the development of this crucial program as it moves forward.

Back to Our Teams & Programs

Systemic Change Program

Elaine Johnson, Director

Elaine joined EDO in January 2011 as a Solicitor in the Sydney office. She provides clients with advice and representation on a wide range of environmental legal issues, including civil enforcement, administrative law, planning, pollution, biodiversity, mining and coal seam gas.

Elaine was the Solicitor on record in the landmark Rocky Hill coal mine litigation, which resulted in refusal of the greenfield mine, and changed the legal landscape on climate law in Australia. She is also acting for bushfire survivors in groundbreaking climate litigation against the NSW Environment Protection Authority. Elaine previously acted for Fullerton Cove residents in obtaining the first coal seam gas injunction in NSW, and represented the Hunter Valley community, including Mrs Wendy Bowman OAM, in the successful appeal halting Ashton Coal’s South East Open Cut mine. Elaine also represented the Mackay Conservation Group in successfully overturning Federal approval of Australia’s largest coal mine, the Carmichael mine in the Galilee Basin.

Elaine holds a Bachelor of EnvMgmt/LLB (Hons) from Macquarie University and has worked as Associate Lecturer with Macquarie’s Centre for Environmental Law. Her other previous work includes as a solicitor in private practice at Corrs Chambers Westgarth, in government at the Office of Environment and Heritage and as the Environment Liaison Officer for combined environment groups.

Elaine also spent 18 months volunteering with the Landowners’ Advocacy and Legal Support Unit at the Public Solicitor’s Office in the Solomon Islands.

The Systemic Change Management Team

Brendan is the Managing Lawyer of our Safe Climate (Gas) Team and has been a litigator with the EDO since 2015.

He has extensive experience in relation to all aspects of state and federal environment, climate change and planning law, and has conducted environmental litigation within the Federal Court of Australia, Supreme Court of NSW and NSW Land and Environment Court.

Within the Safe Climate (Gas & Corporate) Team, Brendan’s focus is on addressing the impacts of gas developments across Australia on global warming, and utilising corporations and commercial law to hold fossil fuel companies to account in relation to the risks posed by climate change.

Brendan was named Climate Change Lawyer of the Year in Sydney, by Best Lawyers in 2020.

Brendan holds a Bachelor of Law ((1st Class Hon) / Arts in Communications (BA Comms/LLB) from the University of Technology, Sydney, and a Masters of Environmental Governance (MSc) from the University of Freiburg, Germany.

Prior to joining the EDO, Brendan worked as an environmental lawyer at a top tier firm in Sydney for several years.

Julia is the Managing Lawyer responsible for the development and delivery of our Defenders Program throughout Australia.

The Program provides specialist legal advice and information about the laws that regulate protest activities concerning the environment. In addition, the Defenders Program provides legal representation to those who have been charged with criminal offences arising from their participation in such activities.

Julia is a multi-award-winning legal practitioner, Fulbright Scholar and published author, with more than 25 years experience working for academic, government and community-based legal organisations in the areas of criminal law and human rights.

She joined EDO in April 2019. Prior to that, she worked as a legal practitioner with Legal Aid NSW, where she represented adults and children in every criminal jurisdiction in NSW.

Jemilah joined EDO in Sydney in 2006. As Outreach Director she is responsible for the development and delivery of the EDO Outreach Program, which encompasses both community and professional programs. Community programs include legal workshops, seminars, conferences and a range of plain English publications designed to educate the public about environmental laws and how they can be used to protect the environment. Professional programs include the development and delivery of legal and educational resources for environmental decision-makers, lawyers and other professionals.

Jemilah provides legal advice to the community on a wide range of planning and environmental law problems and has written extensively on topics such as planning, mining and private conservation. She also lectures in planning and environmental law at several universities in Sydney.

Jemilah is admitted as a solicitor in NSW. She has a Bachelor of Laws and a Bachelor of Arts (Humanities) from the University of Western Sydney.

Andrew advises and represents clients on a wide range of environmental issues.  This has included leading a series of prominent national cases against the port expansion at Abbot Point, and being an integral part of ongoing litigation against the Acland Coal Mine expansion.  He has litigated environmental issues in numerous Queensland and Federal jurisdictions including magistrate court prosecutions, enforcement proceedings, planning and mining merits appeals, and reviews in superior courts through to the High Court.

His love of the outdoors has led him to be an environmental specialist, with a career spanning almost two decades in environmental law, science and policy.  Before joining the EDO in 2013, Andrew was a senior lawyer with the Queensland Government environment department. His experience includes developing Queensland natural resources policy, advising on UK and European Union law and policy with the UK’s central environment department, and working as a conservation biologist with the Australian Rainforest Conservation Society.

Andrew holds degrees in law and science from Adelaide University.

Kirsty is an experienced climate lawyer and litigator, having been involved in representing and advising clients on a range of environmental law issues. She also has considerable experience in regulatory investigations, prosecutions and civil enforcement cases, particularly in the environmental and consumer law area.

She has recently worked in senior Government enforcement roles, including as the Director of the Water Enforcement Taskforce with the NSW Natural Access Resources Regulator (NRAR), Director of Compliance and Investigations at the NSW Department of Planning and Environment (DPE) and Director of Enforcement Group (NSW) for Australian Competition and Consumer Commission.

She previously worked as Principal Solicitor at EDO NSW and EDO NQ where she worked on a number of important early climate law cases. She also worked early in her career at the Australian Government Solicitor as well as in Attorney-General’s Department in Samoa and the Public Solicitor’s Office in Solomon Islands.

Kirsty holds degrees in law and arts from the Australian National University.

Freda Kanek Talao is the Head of EDO’s Pasifika Program. Although trained and admitted as a lawyer to the Supreme and National Courts of Papua New Guinea, Freda holds Australian legal qualifications including a Master’s in law from Bond University, a Master of Philosophy from University of Queensland and sat the Bar Readers Course in Melbourne, Victoria. She has been Director on several boards in PNG including being the first female director on the largest Bank in the Pacific, Bank South Pacific Limited (BSP) and is also a development specialist working for the Australian Aid Program for over 7 years.

Freda’s key work in PNG for over 20 years is in human rights. This includes post – war reconstruction work on Bougainville right after a 10 – year civil war on the island started by disgruntled landowners of the giant Bougainville Copper Mine, seeking amongst others, compensation for the loss and destruction of their environment. Freda also set up the now Family and Sexual Violence Action Committee in PNG championing legislative reforms to laws protecting women and children and chaired voluntarily for over 10 years, a Human Rights NGO, Individual and Community Rights Advocacy Forum (ICRAF), working with communities and individuals on environmental issues to human rights abuses.

In 2005 her work recognised, she and six other PNG women were nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize as part of the 1,000 Peace Women Project.

Rachel Walmsley has 20 years’ experience working on public interest environmental policy and law reform.

She has written and presented extensive submissions and discussion papers, and advised governments, parliamentary inquiries and NGOs on a range of environmental law issues including climate policy, natural resource management and biodiversity laws.

Rachel is listed in Best Lawyers Australia in the climate change and environmental & planning law categories. Rachel spearheads national law reform work and coordinates reform work across EDO teams.

She is a member of government and non-government advisory committees on biodiversity, natural resource and environment issues, a legal advisor to the Wentworth Group of Concerned Scientists, legal advisor to the Places You Love alliance on national law reform, and guest lectures in environmental law.

Rachel was a member of the Australian Panel of Experts on Environmental Law (APEEL) and is a member of IUCN – World Commission on Environmental Law. Rachel has also been a Co-Consulting Editor of the Australian Environment Review and Chair of the Australian Committee for IUCN.

Rachel is a practising solicitor, with a Masters in Environmental Science and Law from University of Sydney, a Bachelor of Laws with Honours in international biodiversity law and a Bachelor of Arts from ANU.

The Systemic Change Team

Pasifika Program

Bal works with EDO partners in the Pacific to advise clients in relation to environmental cases arising from resource development activities such as mining and logging. Bal specialises in Pacific legal systems with expertise in Papua New Guinea constitutional law.

Prior to joining the EDO, Bal worked as a legal advisor with Comcare and taught as a Sessional Lecturer at the University of Canberra Law School. Bal has also worked as a legal consultant with the United Nations Women in PNG and with the Tuvalu Law Reform Commission.

Bal has a Bachelor of Arts (Politics/International Relations) and Bachelor of Law (Honours) from the University of Canberra, a Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice from the Sydney College of Law, and a PhD in Law from the Australia National University College of Law. His PhD thesis was awarded the 2020 Hank Nelson Prize for the best PhD thesis internationally on PNG.

His views and articles on Pacific affairs have appeared in leading regional forums. Bal has represented the Pacific in UNLEASH and One Young World, and is a recipient of UK’s Commonwealth Pacific Young Person of the Year Award.

He is admitted in the ACT and is a Visiting Fellow at the Department of Pacific Affairs, Australian National University.

Rohan is a Senior Solicitor for the Pasifika team.

Watna is a Senior Solicitor in EDO's Pasifika Program. She joined the EDO in 2020.

Previous to this Watna worked with a boutique class actions firm in Sydney, practising in racial discrimination law (with respect to Indigenous peoples), contract law and consumer law.

Watna has experience working in different human rights fields.  She has worked in refugee law, representing asylum seekers in the Manus Island and Nauru Regional Processing Centres and in law reform as a legal officer with the Papua New Guinea Constitutional and Law Reform Commission.  At the Papua New Guinea Constitutional and Law Reform Commission, Watna completed a terms of reference on mine tailings disposal.

Watna is a Papua New Guinean and contributes regularly to regional discussions.

She graduated from Murdoch University in WA, with a BA and LLB and holds an LLM in Public International Law from the University of Amsterdam for which she wrote a thesis on “Riverine Tailings Disposal in New Guinea: A Breach of the Human Right to Water?”

Watna is interested in the intersection of human rights, land and environmental custodianship.

Defenders Program

Olivia joined the EDO Defender’s team in Gadi/Sydney in 2022. She provides legal advice around the laws that regulate protest activities across Australia concerning the environment and representation to those who have been charged with criminal offences arising from such participation. Prior to joining the EDO team, Olivia worked as a solicitor at Legal Aid NSW and the North Australian Aboriginal Justice Agency representing clients across both the civil and criminal jurisdictions in the Local, District and Supreme Courts of NSW and the Northern Territory. Olivia holds a Bachelor of Laws and Bachelor of Science (Geography) from the University of Newcastle.

Amelia is a Paralegal in the Defenders Program.

Sarah is a Paralegal in the Defenders Program.
Legal Education Program

Belinda joined EDO in Sydney in 2011 as a Solicitor in the litigation team, where she represented community groups in public interest environmental law cases, in both federal and State jurisdictions. She is now an Outreach Solicitor working across the Community and Professional programs.

Belinda provides clients with advice on a wide range of environmental legal issues, including planning, pollution, administrative law, mining and coal seam gas.

Belinda holds an LLB (Hons) from University of New England and a Masters in International Environmental Law from Macquarie University. Belinda previously worked in a private practice specialising in local government and planning law and as Associate to Justice Talbot of the Land and Environment Court. She has also worked as a volunteer solicitor at Kingsford Legal Centre.

Belinda’s main area of interest is climate change law, particularly mitigation of sea level rise and carbon pricing.

Belinda is currently on the Management Committee of the Total Environment Centre.

Elise first joined the EDO in 2018 as a volunteer and returned in 2021 as a solicitor in the Legal Education team.

She holds a Bachelor of Laws and a Bachelor of Science (Hons) from Macquarie University, a Graduate Diploma of Legal Practice and is admitted as a solicitor.

Having worked in government, courts and community organisations, she has experience engaging in environmental law and science from a range of perspectives.

Elise is passionate about empowering communities to connect with and protect their environment by accessing justice and being involved in environmental decision-making.

Policy & Law Reform

Frances is a Solicitor (Commonwealth & Government Liaison) in the Policy & Law Reform team.

Nature (Biodiversity)

Cerin joined EDO in Sydney in January 2019 as a Senior Solicitor in the policy and law reform team. Her work includes writing law reform proposals, engaging with government on draft policy and legislation and providing legal advice to EDO clients on a range of environmental issues, including biodiversity conservation, environment and planning and natural resource management.

Previously, Cerin worked as an in-house lawyer for government, for a non-profit human rights organisation in Mongolia and, most recently, as policy and research coordinator with the NSW Nature Conservation Council.

Cerin holds a Bachelor of Science (Environmental Science) and Bachelor of Law (Honours) and Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice from the University of Wollongong.

Emily joined EDO in Sydney in February 2016 as a solicitor in the litigation team. Emily is currently a member of the EDO Nature Program.

Within the Nature Program, Emily provides advice and representation in relation to public interest freshwater and biodiversity protection matters. Emily also participates in EDO’s policy and law reform engagement in relation to freshwater and biodiversity conservation matters.

Emily holds an LLB (Hons)/Bachelor of Arts from the University of Melbourne and a Master of Environmental Law from the University of Sydney.

Prior to joining EDO, Emily worked in a range of legal roles in commercial law, the community sector, and the Supreme Court of Victoria. Emily also spent time volunteering as a legal advisor in the Solomon Islands, supporting local solicitors to advise and represent customary land owners.

Kimberley joined the EDO’s Biodiversity Team in November 2021. She provides legal advice and represents clients in relation to public interest environmental law matters and the conservation and management of native forests, Ramsar wetlands and other important ecosystems across Australia. Kimberley’s advisory and litigation experience extends from advising and acting for First Nations clients in the Katherine region of the Northern Territory in relation to civil law matters; to developing and implementing a legal compliance framework for the Australia Pacific region of a multinational resource company; to having carriage of general and commercial litigation matters in top tier and boutique litigation law firms.

Christina Meyers joined the EDO in February 2023 as the Biodiversity team’s Legal Administrator, based in the Meanjin/Brisbane office.

She is an admitted solicitor, but most recently was working as a project officer with the Australian Earth Laws Alliance, including on issues such as ecocide, rights of nature and animal law.

She previously held Right to Information and Governance Officer roles within the Queensland Government environment department, and been an administrator at private law firms and in barristers’ chambers.

She has also worked with Brisbane City Councillor Jonathan Sri as a Policy Officer, and with the LTGBTI Legal Service as a law reform assistant.

Nature (Freshwater)

Nadja joined EDO NSW in 2018 and is a member of EDO’s Freshwater team. Nadja is based in Melbourne and has a particular interest in water law and natural resources management and in Aboriginal cultural heritage protection.

Nadja advises and represents a broad range of clients including farmers, community groups, conservation groups and Traditional Owners in local and national public interest water law related matters, with a focus on the Murray Darling Basin.

Nadja has previously worked as a plaintiff lawyer at Slater and Gordon, in commercial litigation, representing individuals against large corporations and in administrative and tort law, including negligence and nuisance. Nadja was admitted to legal practice in 2018 and holds a Juris Doctor from the University of Melbourne.

Khush Dhiman is Legal Administrator for the Freshwater Team.
Safe Climate (Coal & Human Rights)

Anita is an experienced solicitor who returned to the EDO in 2022 to be part of the fight for climate action. She is based in Gadi, Sydney, but works across jurisdictions.

Anita has a wide range of experience in private practice, public interest environmental litigation, law reform and community education. Career highlights include the first climate challenge to a Queensland Coal mine in 2007 with EDO Queensland.

Since returning to the EDO, Anita ran the climate test case by Bushfire Survivors for Climate Action against the Narrabri Underground Mine extension.

As author of the Queensland publication “The Community Litigants Handbook – Using the Planning Law to Protect the Environment”, Anita has a keen interest in access to justice and simplifying the law.

A photo of Grace Bramwell

Grace joined EDO’s Coal & Human Rights team in January 2023.

Prior to joining EDO, Grace was a judges associate at the NSW Land and Environment Court before joining Legal Aid Victoria, where she appeared for clients in criminal litigation, and then HWL Ebsworth in the Planning, Environment and Government team.

Grace has previously interned for the EDO in the Canberra office and volunteered with the EDO for the past 18 months prior to joining the team.

Grace holds a Bachelor of Laws/Bachelor of Arts from the Australian National University She was admitted as a solicitor in November 2020. During her university studies she studied Climate Law at the University of Stockholm.

Grace is a solicitor at EDO's Safe Climate - Coal and Human Rights Team, where she works on environmental, planning, climate, and administrative law issues in NSW and QLD.

She first came to EDO as an Aurora Intern in 2020, then worked as a solicitor at HWL Ebsworth Lawyers and Herbert Smith Freehills, before returning to EDO in 2023. Grace has active history of volunteering and pro bono work, having worked with organisations including the Public Interest Advocacy Centre, the Australian Law Reform Commission, Community Legal Centres Australia, the Australian Centre for Disability Law, and women's rights advocacy organisation ActionAid.

Grace currently serves as a Board Director at the National Environmental Law Association, where she convenes the Memberships, Partnerships, and Personnel Portfolio. She holds a Bachelor of Laws and Arts (Chinese, Latin) from the University of Sydney.

She is passionate about using her skills to create a world where people and places flourish.

Jayme first came to EDO as a student volunteer in 2019 and returned in 2020 to complete their PLT.

In 2021, Jayme joined EDO's Safe Climate (Coal & Human Rights) team as a Solicitor after working for the Department of Environment and Science on Queensland's largest criminal prosecution for causing serious environmental harm.

Previously, Jayme interned at the:

• Department of Agriculture, Water and Environment, assisting on a review of the joint management of Commonwealth National Parks;

• Federal Circuit Court of Australia; and

• with the Human Rights Act for Queensland campaign, which achieved the enactment of the Human Rights Act 2019 (Qld).

Committed to achieving environmental justice for the community and EDO’s clients, Jayme is particularly passionate about using the law to address climate change.

Jayme graduated from the Queensland University of Technology with a Bachelor of Laws (Honours) and was admitted to practise law in 2021.

A photo of Tom Robson.

Tom first came to the EDO in late 2020 as a Legal Administrator. In his role he supported the Safe Climate (Coal & Human Rights) team with major coal litigation such as opposing Waratah Coal's Galilee Coal Project in the Galilee basin and New Hope's New Acland Coal Mine in the Darling Downs.

In early 2023 Tom was elevated to Graduate Solicitor in the Safe Climate (Coal & Human Rights) team.

Tom is passionate about environmental justice, speaking truth to power and using the law to address climate change while helping everyday Australians protect country from exploitive and inappropriate fossil fuel projects.

Tom graduated from the Queensland University of Technology with a Bachelor of Laws(Honours)/Journalism and was admitted to practise law in 2022.

Tom has previous worked at: McInnes Wilson Lawyers; Hall & Wilcox Lawyers; and Legal Aid Queensland.

AJ is a Legal Administrator in the Safe Climate (Coal and Human Rights) team.

AJ has worked in the legal administration space for more than three years. AJ recently completed their Juris Doctor.

Safe Climate (Corporate & Commercial)

Zoe joined the EDO’s Safe Climate team in August 2020. She is a John Monash Scholar, and holds a Master of Laws from Columbia University, and a Bachelor of Arts and a Bachelor of Laws with First Class Honours, both from the University of Western Australia (UWA). Prior to joining the EDO, Zoe worked as a Fellow at Law for Black Lives in the US, and as Assistant to Professor Kimberlé Crenshaw on the Say Her Name campaign, which highlights police brutality against Black women and girls in the US.

Following graduation from UWA, Zoe served as Associate to Justice Barker of the Federal Court of Australia, and then worked as a solicitor at the State Solicitor’s Office of Western Australia (SSO). During her time at the SSO, Zoe was instructing solicitor on two successful appeals to the High Court of Australia in Commissioner of State Revenue v Placer Dome Inc. [2018] HCA 59, and Commissioner of State Revenue v Rojoda Pty Ltd [2020] HCA 7. She regularly appeared as trial and appellate counsel for government departments and agencies in a broad range of court proceedings, including administrative law, corporations law, and civil litigation.

Zoe’s criminal justice reforms in relation to First Nations peoples with Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders have been adopted by a Senate Standing Committee, published in peer reviewed journals, and presented at international conferences. She is also a lecturer and tutor at UWA Law School.

Clare is a Solicitor in the Safe Climate team.

Asha joined the EDO in March 2023.

Asha previously worked as a solicitor at Gilbert + Tobin in the Competition + Regulation team, with experience in competition, consumer and commercial law. She also worked as a solicitor in Gilbert + Tobin’s Pro Bono team across a range of litigious and advisory matters.

Asha holds a Bachelor of Laws / Bachelor of Arts from the University of Sydney and was admitted to practice in 2020.

Prior to admission as a solicitor, Asha undertook a placement at the Northern Australian Aboriginal Justice Agency in Darwin and volunteered at the Aboriginal Legal Service and Redfern Legal Centre.

Amanda is a law graduate in the Safe Climate (Corporate & Commercial) team.

She joined the EDO in January 2022, as a legal administrator in the Safe Climate (Gas) team.

Prior to joining EDO, Amanda worked in legal support roles at the Federal Court of Australia and the private sector, with particular experience in competition, consumer and commercial matters.

Sel is a Legal Administrator in the Safe Climate team.

AJ is a Legal Administrator in the Safe Climate team.

Safe Climate (Gas)

 

 

Alina Leikin is Special Counsel in the Safe Climate (Gas) Team.

 

 

 

Clare holds a Master of Laws from Melbourne University, and a Bachelor of Arts and a Bachelor of Laws with First Class Honours, both from the University of Western Australia).

Prior to joining EDO’s safe climate team she was the Legal Director of the Climate Law Institute at the Center for Biological Diversity in the United States. Her litigation work in that role focused on resisting fossil fuel production, particularly in California, and federal regulation of greenhouse gas emissions. At the Center she gained extensive experience litigating at trial and appellate level in California state and federal courts, including the D.C. Circuit.

She began her legal career at the State Solicitor’s Office in Western Australia, where she represented a variety of government departments and agencies in a broad range of trial, appellate and tribunal proceedings.

 

 

 

Jordina Rust is a Senior Solicitor in the Safe Climate (Gas) Team.

 

 

 

Ruby began at EDO as a law graduate and was admitted to practice in December 2018. Ruby’s work as a solicitor at EDO has comprised advice and representation on a broad range of matters, including litigation and merits appeals on environmental issues in WA such as uranium mining, forestry and greenhouse gas emissions.

Ruby has worked externally as a legislation consultant, drafting private members bills currently before the WA Parliament. She is also an executive member of the National Environmental Law Association (WA Chapter) Committee. Ruby holds a Juris Doctor and a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Western Australia.

 

 

 

Talia is a Solicitor in the Safe Climate (Gas) Team.

 

 

 

Emma is a Solicitor in the Safe Climate (Gas) Team.

 

 

 

Amanda Peng is a Graduate Solicitor in the Safe Climate (Gas) Team.

 

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Science & Expert Advisory Program

Sharyn Goldstien, Director

Sharyn is the Director of the Science & Expert Advisory Program.

The Science & Expert Advisory Team

Ed joined EDO in January 2022, based out of Hobart. He has BSc(Hons) and PhD in marine chemistry from the University of Melbourne and completed postdoctoral fellowships at the Atlantic Regional Laboratory (NRCC) in Halifax, Nova Scotia, and at CSIRO Division of Oceanography in Hobart.

Ed has more than 35 years as, variously, environmental chemist, chemical oceanographer and estuarine biogeochemist. Much of this time was as a research scientist with CSIRO (Hobart Marine Laboratories) with applications to oceanic studies from Antarctica to equatorial waters, and he has also led diverse investigations of Australian estuarine and coastal systems, often with a goal of industries operating compatibly and sustainably in these environments.

In a latter seven-year stint, Ed was Science Leader – NT at the Australian Institute of Marine Science’s facility in Darwin, where the focus was on framing interdisciplinary science to support multiple-use management of coastal waterways in northern Australia.

Margaret joined EDO’s Scientific Advisory Service in October 2021. She is passionate about protecting water resources, with over 20 years of experience working on surface and groundwater projects in academia and consulting. The focus of her work has varied from community water supply and protection to understanding the impacts of unconventional gas production on water resources and the hydrology of rivers that dry up.

She has a Bachelor of Arts (environmental science) from Northwestern University, and a Master of Hydrology and PhD in Hydrogeology from University of Nevada Reno.

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Finance & Operations

Blake Powell, Director

Blake joined EDO in April 2016. As Director of Finance and Operations, she is responsible for the effective management of the operational aspects of the organisation, including governance, financial management, compliance, administration, human resources and provision of information and support to the CEO and Board.

Prior to working with EDO, Blake was Business Operations Manager for Migration Support Programs, NSW, at Australian Red Cross. She also worked with PYXERA Global managing multi-million dollar international programs in Guatemala, Jamaica and Angola on supply chain development and the reinvestment of profits from natural resource extraction into community and local economic development.

Blake holds an MA in International Service and Development from Roehampton University, UK, and an MA in Theoretical Linguistics from Northwestern University, USA.

Finance & Operations Team

Bronwyn is a National Operations Co-ordinator in the Finance & Operations Team.

As one of the two National Operations Co-ordinators of EDO, Catheryn is responsible for the management of EDO's policies and procedures, as well as administration of the day-to-day human resources and staff support activities, and various other projects that enable the smooth operation of EDO as an organisation.

Catheryn comes to EDO with over 15 years of experience in the not-for-profit sector in both the UK and Australia, and has previously worked for Australian Red Cross, The Smith Family, and Relationships Australia in a variety of operational and managerial roles.

Catheryn has a Bachelor of Arts in French and Spanish from the University of Hull, UK and an MA in Refugee Studies and Human Rights from City University, London.

Eamon is the Senior IT Manager in the Finance & Operations team.

Alex is the IT Officer in the Finance & Operations Team.

Nici is People & Culture Manager in the Finance & Operations Team.

Aleena is the People & Culture Officer in the Finance & Operations Team.

Toni is the Financial Controller in the Finance & Operations Team.

Prabashini is the Finance Manager in the Finance & Operations Team.

William is Senior Finance Administrator in the Finance & Operations Team.

Maria is Finance Administrator in the Finance & Operations Team.

Bao is Finance Administrator in the Finance & Operations Team.

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Fundraising, Marketing & Communications

Aaron Lamb, Director

Aaron is responsible for the strategic direction and execution of fundraising, marketing and communications across the universe of channels and platforms at EDO.

Aaron is a two-time Fundraising Institute of Australia award winner, with a broad range of experience in working in NFPs from Oxfam and Vinnies to animal welfare. Aaron has spoken extensively on digital marketing and fundraising and brand communications in a crisis. He has also sat on the board of directors for Cambodian Kids Can.

Mhairi brings more than two decades of communications, campaigns and media experience to EDO. Mhairi began her career as a news journalist at BBC Scotland.  In 2006, she joined ABC news, spending time reporting in regional NSW before settling in Sydney, where she produced radio news bulletins and was responsible for online news coverage in NSW, as well as digital training for broadcast journalists.

Since leaving journalism in 2015, Mhairi has worked on several high-profile environmental campaigns.  She also worked with a number of private clients assisting with social media marketing, SEO, public relations and political advocacy. She joined EDO in 2019.

Tom has worked in data-driven digital strategy, digital product management and data analysis over the past decade. Bringing experience from the online publishing industry and the NFP sector, Tom leads the Fundraising, Marketing & Communications team’s data strategy and provides supporter engagement data analysis and management.

Annemarie Kohn is Head of Philanthropy for the Fundraising, Marketing and Communications Team.

The Fundraising, Marketing & Communications Team

Data & Insights Team

Sylvie joined EDO having most recently worked for International Committee of the Red Cross Cambodia. She is passionate about helping to create a world where nature thrives and is the friendly person on the end of the line (or email inbox) for EDO's supporters. If you've got a fundraising enquiry Sylvie will be happy to help, please email her at [email protected] or call on 1800 626 239.

Marketing & Media Team

Jacki has 14 years’ experience working with environmental non-profits in Australia at local, state, national and international level. She has managed and driven digital marketing, communications and fundraising on many high profile environmental campaigns. She has helped several organisations significantly grow through bringing in new supporters and developing donor care and fundraising strategies. Jacki is passionate about EDO and helping it grow through supporter growth and donor care strategies. 

Jacki has a Bachelor of Marine Studies (Honours) from The University of Queensland and is studying a Masters in Conservation Biology.

James is Senior Marketing & Media Specialist in the Marketing & Media Team.

Jessica is Content Specialist in the Marketing & Media Team.

Vanessa is Marketing & Media Specialist in the Marketing & Media Team.
Philanthropy Team

Ingrid has worked in the environmental sector for over two decades, defending Australia’s natural places from the rainforests to the sea. She joined EDO in 2020 to help grow our philanthropy program and attract new trusts and foundations to our ground-breaking environmental legal work.

Emma is a Senior Philanthropy Specialist in the Philanthropy team.

Mia is a Philanthropy & Bequests Specialist in the Philanthropy team.

Isabelle has worked in the philanthropy sector since 2007 for organisations including the Royal Opera House London, Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment, Skinnyfish Music NT and Anglicare NT. She comes with many years of experience in donor stewardship, relationship management, donation management and fundraising events.

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