top of page

Charisma Cubillo selected as a Trailblazer in WIPR’S Influential Women in IP 2020

  • TJC
  • Aug 4, 2020
  • 2 min read

Updated: Aug 5, 2020



I am proud to be selected as a Trailblazer in the World Intellectual Property Review (WIPR) Influential Women in IP 2020. I am a Larrakia woman, born in Sydney with family in the Northern Territory. I have always been interested in issues relating to Indigenous peoples. While undertaking my law degree I studied Indigenous Peoples in International Law, learning of issues specifically related to Indigenous cultural heritage, known as Indigenous Cultural and Intellectual Property (ICIP). This subject was incredibly insightful and became the catalyst for my career in intellectual property with a focus on ICIP.

As a newly appointed lawyer, I have been employed at Terri Janke and Company for just over a year. During this time, I’ve had the opportunity to assist Indigenous clients with their legal enquiries and deliver Terri Janke and Company’s unique workshops including True Tracks and Looking out for Culture. This has been an invaluable learning experience.

Some highlights include going to the Merinj Kaatdijin: Aboriginal Food Knowledge Forum (2019) in Albany, Western Australia. At the forum, my colleague Desiree Leha, also a newly appointed Indigenous lawyer at TJC, presented a paper on Intellectual Property and protecting Indigenous bushfoods called “IP Food for Thought”. It was a great success and awesome to visit this beautiful part of Australia.

Another highlight was attending the 2018 World Indigenous Law Conference Waawiiatanong Ziibi: Where the River Bends in Windsor, Canada. The conference was about recognising and including Indigenous law in Western legal systems around the world. Lots of different people attended, including lawyers, judges, academics, knowledge keepers, community members and students.

Through my work at Terri Janke and Company, I have been able to see firsthand the shortfalls in the legal system in Australia and across the globe when it comes to protecting Indigenous cultural heritage. I believe that by helping clients navigate through the current legal system, we empower Indigenous people and help create a better pathway for our people in the future. Contact us I can help you with your branding and trade marks. If you would like to know more about how to register your business name, a word or logo, contact me at charisma@terrijanke.com.au or +61 2 9693 2577. I can assist file your trade marks or speak to your team about the how brands can assist you in your goals.

 
 
TJC_background.png

​​

© 2025, Terri Janke and Company

All professional photography by Jamie James at James Photographic Services and Stephen Wilson Barker.​

The painting 'Terri - Butterfly Flowers Dreaming' by Bibi Barba has been used under license in the firm photographs, including for staff profiles.

The painting  'Ancient Tracks and Waterholes' (2019) by Rene Kulitja has been used under license in some firm photographs on the TJC website homepage, staff profiles, careers and services pages. Visit Maruku Arts for more work by Rene Kulitja.

The visual artwork ‘Freshwater Lagoon 1’ by Lisa Michl Ko-manggen has been used under license in some photographs and videos. Visit Cape York Art for more work by Ko-manggen.

The painting ‘My Country’ by Bibi Barba has been used under license in some photographs and Law Way videos. Visit Bibi's website.

Liability limited by a scheme approved under Professional Standards Legislation

​Disclaimer: The information found on our Website and Blog is of a general nature and is not intended to be legal advice on specific matters. Although we attempt to provide accurate and timely information, we do not guarantee that the information in this article is accurate at the date it is received or that it will continue to be accurate in the future. Contact us for advice on a specific matter.

CREDITS

Terri Janke and Company acknowledge the Traditional Owners of the lands on which we live and work.
We acknowledge the Bidjigal People, the custodians of the Country where our office is located.

We extend our respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples throughout Australia. We recognise their ongoing connection to land, sea and skies. We pay our respects to their knowledge, and to the Elders past and present.

bottom of page