AELA’s Team

Dr Michelle Maloney has a Bachelor of Arts and Law (Hons) from the Australian National University and a PhD in Law from Griffith University. As Co-Founder and National Convenor of the Australian Earth Laws Alliance, Michelle manages the strategic direction and governance of AELA, including the extensive partnerships and networks that AELA has with the legal, academic, indigenous and environmental advocacy communities. Michelle also designs and manages AELA programs and events, including the Australian Peoples' Tribunal for Community and Nature's Rights, and coordinates the work of more than 20 fantastic multi-disciplinary professional and student volunteers around Australia. Michelle is the Co-Founder and Director of the New Economy Network Australia (NENA); Co-Founder and Director of Future Dreaming Australia; Senior Adjunct Fellow, Law Futures Centre, Griffith University and a member of the Steering Group of the Ecological Law and Governance Association (ELGA). Michelle was a member of the Executive Committee of the Global Alliance for the Rights of Nature (GARN) from 2012 to 2018 and Chairperson of the Environmental Defenders Office (EDO) Queensland, from 2013 to 2017. Michelle  lives in Brisbane, (Queensland) with her husband, daughter and Raz the Wonderdog.

Read Michelle's profile and publications.

James Lee holds a Master of Environmental Management (MEM) from the University of New South Wales (UNSW) and has a background in art, music (BMus) and film studies (GradDip Film & TV). James has expertise in interdisciplinary approaches to addressing ecological challenges and his work explores the role that cultural practices can play in informing and supporting Earth-centred governance. James manages a range of AELA programs, including Greenprints Research, AELA Education and selected Earth Arts projects. James also oversees AELA's operational systems, including membership, event coordination, communications, and website development across several AELA programs.

Christina has a Bachelor of Business and Law (Hons) from Queensland University of Technology. She was admitted as a solicitor in the Supreme Court of Queensland in 2019, and has worked for five years in private legal practice, and three years with the Queensland Department of Environment and Science. She has worked with Brisbane City Councillor Jonathan Sri as a Policy Officer, and with the LGBTI Legal Service as a law reform assistant. Christina began working with AELA in March 2020, as a Project Officer in AELA’s Law and Regulation Team and now leads projects for the Australian Earth Laws Centre, including coordinating the 'Ecocide Laws Australia' Working Group and 'Stop Ecocide International (Australia Branch)'. Christina’s research interests include Indigenous First Laws, rights of nature and ecocide law, and she loves contributing to AELA’s multi-disciplinary work. Christina is passionate about creating Earth centred systems change and recently completed a Systems Change course with Erfan Daliri. Christina lives in Brisbane, Queensland.

Margot is a graduate of International Human Rights Law (Maastricht University, the Netherlands) and South African Environmental Law (University of Cape Town). She has 4 years’ experience working to support sustainable business development in South Africa, with a strong focus on the environmental sustainability of value chains. Her past experience also includes helping facilitate Access and Benefit Sharing for Indigenous knowledge holders in South Africa. Margot’s research interests include rights of nature; earth democracy; indigenous knowledge systems; and agroecology and local food systems.Margot started her journey with AELA when she moved to Australia from South Africa in 2019. She is a member of AELA’s Law and Regulation Team, and has been working on projects for the Australian Peoples’ Tribunal for Community and Nature’s Rights (www.rightsofnature.org.au) and AELA’s Education Program. Margot is passionate about ecological justice and loves contributing to AELA’s multi-disciplinary work. Margot lives in Adelaide, South Australia.

Dr Edward Morgan PhD (Natural Resource Management) (GU), MSc (Environmental Science), MSci (Chemistry). Edward is a Research Fellow at Griffith University and volunteers to support AELA's GreenPrints program and other projects that require expertise bridging the natural and social sciences. Edward's research interests include the interaction between science and society for sustainability; governance and planning for water sensitive cities and adapting to climate change; environmental justice and the role of communities in transforming governance.

Leeanne has more than 17 years' experience in policy analysis, regulations and compliance, sustainability and financial reporting in the energy industry.  Leeanne holds a Bachelor of Commerce from the University of Newcastle, Master of Environmental Law from the University of Sydney and is CPA qualified.