LLB/BA (JCU)
Louisiana Luke
Solicitor
Expertise
Louisiana Luke is a Solicitor at Terri Janke and Company, she joined the firm in 2023. She advises clients on legal frameworks, policy settings and practical strategies to respect and protect First Nations knowledge, culture and data. She is experienced in legal drafting, research, community consultation and delivering tailored training for both First Nations and non-Indigenous clients. With strengths in legal analysis, strategic thinking and collaborative problem-solving, Louisiana helps clients embed ICIP rights into their core work, governance, contracts and collaborations.
Photo by Stephen Wilson Barker
Experience
Louisiana was admitted as a lawyer in New South Wales in 2024 and holds a Bachelor of Law from James Cook University in Cairns.
Louisiana works closely with clients across the GLAM sector (Galleries, Libraries, Archives and Museums), with a strong focus on embedding ICIP and Indigenous Data Sovereignty principles into governance, collections management, exhibitions, public programs and digital access. She works to centre Indigenous community decision-making in areas that have historically been overlooked or treated as gaps in process and policy.
Recent Projects
Developing reports, protocols and policies to protect First Nations peoples’ ICIP and uphold Indigenous Data Sovereignty.
Advising language organisations on legal and practical mechanisms to protect language and support revitalisation and return of language knowledge to community.
Providing governance advice to arts and archival institutions that hold or manage First Nations ICIP and data.
Protecting the rights of First Nations artists, including through contracts, licensing and moral rights strategies.
Strengthening contractual arrangements for First Nations individuals, Aboriginal corporations and community organisations.
Community
Louisiana is a proud Southern Highlander from Papua New Guinea, maintaining strong connections to both her cultural roots, her land and community. Outside of the law, she enjoys travelling, hiking, reading, baking (at the beach) and spending quality time with her Fintelmann, family, and friends.
