Ceilia has extensive experience in senior executive and management roles in the Commonwealth and State governments working in Indigenous Affairs and Native Title prior to commencing in the law.
Working on Kaurna lands (Adelaide).
I am dedicated to ensuring Aboriginal Peoples rights and interests, provided in native title law, produces practical and transformative change in life chances of communities. I work to support caring for country and protecting Aboriginal Heritage whilst negotiating sustainable economic outcomes.
Ceilia began her career as a social researcher working in Aboriginal communities in South and Central Australia. In a broader national Indigenous Affairs policy role in the Commonwealth, working across the Northern Territory, Ceilia was involved in negotiating program funding and capacity building in addressing family violence, establishment of police stations in remote communities and reform strategies to reduce alcohol misuse. Ceilia worked with the judiciary and magistracy in improving non-custodial sentencing outcomes including the establishment of the inaugural Aboriginal Court in South Australia. As a lawyer Ceilia has run a mixed practice representing local councils, pastoralists and commercial fishing licence holders in native title matters, civil litigation and criminal law.
With a deep background in Indigenous Affairs, combined with management , litigation and dispute resolution expertise, Ceilia brings to Johnston Withers’ native title practice extensive experience of negotiating complex agreements and navigating diverse stakeholder priorities, always preserving and representing Aboriginal rights and interests.
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