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BA LLB (UNSW) PhD (ANU)
Dr Terri Janke
Solicitor Director
Expertise
Terri Janke is a Wuthathi, Yadhaigana and Meriam woman and an international authority on Indigenous Cultural and Intellectual Property (ICIP). She is known for innovating pathways for collaborations using Indigenous knowledge and cultural expression. As the owner and Solicitor Director of Terri Janke and Company, she manages her team to deliver excellent results to a diverse client base. Terri advises on legal matters including intellectual property, business law, shareholder agreements and governance of Indigenous organisations. She has written leading ICIP Protocols and models for various sectors including the arts, museums, archives, film, and business. Terri is also a valued mentor, accredited mediator, and a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.
Photo by Jamie James
Experience
Terri was admitted to practice in 1995. She holds an Unrestricted Practising Certificate and is a member of the Law Society of NSW. In 2019, she was awarded a PhD from the Australia National University for her thesis True Tracks: Indigenous Cultural and Intellectual Property Principles for putting Self-Determination into practice. Terri is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors (AICD) and Resolve Mediators.
She has held numerous board positions, such as: National Gallery of Australia, Australian Copyright Council, National Centre of Indigenous Excellence (Deputy Chair), State Library of NSW, Jawun, Tourism Australia, First Nations Rugby Committee (Chair) National Indigenous Television (Chair) and Ngalaya Indigenous Lawyers Association (Chair). Terri is also an Adjunct Professor for UTS Business School, and the UNSW Faculty of Science.
Recent Projects
Co-developed Powerhouse Caring for Country Principles (2022) in consultation with First Nations peoples;
Co-chief author of the National State of the Environment Report (SoE) (2021)
Lead Author, First Languages, Law & Governance Guide for Department of Communications and the Arts;
Lead Author, Indigenous Knowledge: Issues for protection and management (2017) for IP Australia;
Team Leader, First Peoples: A Roadmap for enhancing Indigenous engagement in museums and galleries (2019), a nationwide initiative for Australian Museums and Galleries Association (AMaGA);
Reviewing ACT Legislation: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Elected Body Act 2008;
Consultant for the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) on the Pacific Traditional Knowledge Action Plan.
Awards
First Nations Leadership Award (Women in AI) 2024
Elite Women Award (The Australasian Lawyer) 2023
Finalist, Thought Leader of the Year (Women in Law Awards) 2022
JG Crawford Prize for Academic Excellence (ANU) 2020
UNSW Alumni Award for Social Impact 2020
Indigenous Business Leader Award (My Business) 2019
Finalist, Indigenous Lawyer Award (Lawyers Weekly Women in Law) 2019
Community Lawyer of the Year (NSW Women Lawyers) 2019
Finalist, Telstra NSW Business Women’s Awards 2015
Finalist, NSW Women Lawyer of the Year 2015
Finalist, Indigenous Category (Ethnic Business Awards) 2015
Westpac/AFR 100 Women of Influence 2013
Attorney-General’s Indigenous Legal Professional of the Year 2012
NAIDOC Person of the Year 2011
Indigenous Justice Award (Law and Justice Foundation of NSW Awards) 2007
NSW Women’s Honour Roll 2005
Community
Terri is an accomplished business woman and property investor. She is married and has two beautiful adult children. To relax she enjoys music, beach walks and exercising at NCIE gym. Terri also writes fiction - Butterfly Song was published by Penguin in 2005 and translated into French in 2009. She has written short stories and poetry in Meanjin, Southerly and Island. She also helped write two books with each of her two children; What makes a tree smile? With Tamina Pitt, and Kin Island with Jaiki Pitt. Recently, she has been working on a memoir.
