Business Details
41 Years
experience
Environmental Law Advocates Protecting Nature and Climate
The Environmental Defenders Office (EDO) is a pioneering legal organization dedicated to environmental protection through law. With over 40 years of experience, we specialize in public interest environmental law, providing free legal advice and representation to communities, First Nations groups, and organizations across Australia and the Pacific region. Our team of expert lawyers, scientists, and advocates work collaboratively to tackle critical issues including climate change, biodiversity loss, and environmental injustice. We empower communities through accessible legal resources, strategic litigation, and policy reform, prioritizing the rights of First Nations peoples and the protection of natural ecosystems.Our track record includes landmark cases that have shaped environmental law and policy, from halting destructive mining projects to defending native vegetation and marine ecosystems. We maintain a strong commitment to ESG principles, community engagement, and innovative legal strategies that address emerging environmental challenges. Our multidisciplinary approach combines legal expertise with scientific knowledge to deliver impactful solutions for people, nature, and climate.
Services
Environmental Law
Legal Advice
Litigation Support
Policy Advocacy
Community Empowerment
Details
- Year established: 1985
Highlights and features
- 40+ years of specialized environmental law expertise
- Free legal advice for public interest environmental matters
- First Nations-led conservation and cultural heritage protection
- Proven track record in landmark environmental litigation
- Multidisciplinary team of lawyers and environmental scientists
Associations and certifications
- Community Legal Centres Australia
Services
Environmental Law
Our environmental law practice combines legal expertise with scientific knowledge to address complex environmental challenges. We provide specialized legal advice on development approvals, mining projects, and environmental compliance. Our work protects natural ecosystems through strategic litigation and policy reform, focusing on climate change mitigation and biodiversity conservation.
Legal Advice
We offer free preliminary legal advice to communities facing environmental threats. Our services cover public interest planning, environmental law matters, and government accountability. We prioritize vulnerable groups including First Nations communities and regional populations, empowering them to challenge destructive development projects and environmental violations.
Litigation Support
Our litigation support includes strategic legal representation in environmental cases. We assist communities in challenging unlawful development approvals, protecting native vegetation, and holding corporations accountable for environmental damage. Our track record includes landmark cases that have shaped Australia's environmental law framework through successful courtroom outcomes.
Policy Advocacy
We drive environmental policy reform through targeted advocacy and legal submissions. Our work focuses on strengthening environmental protection laws, improving climate policy frameworks, and ensuring First Nations rights in conservation efforts. We collaborate with government agencies, NGOs, and community groups to develop effective environmental governance strategies.
Community Empowerment
Our community empowerment programs provide legal resources and education to help citizens understand their environmental rights. We offer guided legal resource searches, submission writing guidance, and protest safety information. These initiatives enable communities to effectively participate in environmental decision-making processes and challenge harmful development proposals.
People
Jo Shulman
CEO
Jo Shulman is an accomplished CEO with 25+ years' experience in legal and social impact sectors. A human rights lawyer by training, she previously led Redfern Legal Centre and has held senior roles in environmental governance. She champions community engagement and collaborative leadership to deliver environmental justice.
Nicole Sommer
Principal Lawyer
Nicole leads EDO's Healthy Environment & Justice Program with nearly 20 years of legal experience. She specializes in environmental law, appearing in courts and tribunals while advising on ecosystem protection. Nicole holds a Masters in Environmental Management and serves on national legal and disability advocacy boards.
Tracy Stubbs
Executive Assistant
Tracy Stubbs brings over 20 years of senior executive support experience to EDO. As CEO & Board Secretariat assistant, she manages complex stakeholder relationships and event logistics. Her background includes cultural sector project management and festival operations, enhancing organizational effectiveness through strategic coordination.
Questions
What environmental law services do you offer?
We provide free legal advice on public interest environmental matters including development approvals, mining projects, native vegetation protection, and climate policy compliance across Australia.
How can communities access legal support?
Eligible communities can apply online for free preliminary legal advice. Priority is given to First Nations groups, regional communities, and those facing financial hardship through our dedicated intake process.
What areas of environmental law do you specialize in?
Our expertise covers climate change litigation, biodiversity conservation, environmental justice, First Nations rights, and policy reform through strategic legal action and advocacy.
Can you assist with development proposal challenges?
Yes, we help communities challenge unlawful development approvals through legal representation, submission writing guidance, and courtroom advocacy in planning and environmental matters.
How do you support First Nations environmental protection?
We collaborate with Traditional Owners on legal strategies protecting cultural heritage and Country, incorporating Indigenous knowledge into conservation efforts and land management litigation.
