LLB (UNSW), BA (Curtin)
Anika Valenti
Special Counsel
Expertise
Anika Valenti is a Special Counsel at Terri Janke and Company, known for her culturally sensitive and solutions-oriented approach. She expertly navigates the complexities of the Western legal system to devise culturally appropriate solutions that empower self-determination and safeguard the rights and interests of First Nations peoples.
Anika’s expertise spans various legal areas, including intellectual property, Indigenous Cultural and Intellectual Property (ICIP), commercial contracts and negotiations, corporate governance, privacy and confidentiality, and Indigenous Data Sovereignty (IDSov), consumer law and employment law.
Experience
With over 15 years of experience in the legal profession, Anika has built an extensive practice dedicated to the protection of Indigenous knowledge, culture, and rights. Her work covers a broad spectrum of commercial and corporate matters and diverse client base, including First Nations communities, organisations, artists, creatives, entrepreneurs, businesses, state and national institutions, and government agencies.
Photo by Stephen Wilson Barker
Recent Projects
Since 2024, Anika has been engaged by the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development WA to deliver specialist training as part of the Aboriginal Bushfoods Business Support Program, providing business support and mentoring to new and existing Aboriginal bushfood businesses in regional WA. This follows her 2021 development of practical guides for First Nations bushfood businesses in WA - Setting up for Success: Bushfoods and Protection of Indigenous Ecological Knowledge for Bushfood Businesses.
In 2023/2024, Anika led the organisation-wide implementation of the National Library of Australia ICIP Protocol she developed in 2021, delivering over 25 tailored workshops to support NLA staff and executives across the Library in integrating the protocol into their policies, procedures, collections and activities.
Anika provides ongoing legal and governance support to Anangu communities to safeguard their ICIP rights in the Mala story featured in the Wintjiri Wiru: Uluru Drone Show, the largest drone show in the Southern Hemisphere.
In 2024, Anika was engaged to support the Yothu Yindi Foundation in developing and implementing IP, ICIP, and IDSov protection strategies for the design and development of the Garma Institute, ensuring the safeguarding of Yolngu knowledge during engagements with project partners and stakeholders.
Anika has led the advancement of best practices in the Victorian Native Foods and Botanicals industry, playing a key role in implementation of the Victorian Traditional Owners Native Food and Botanicals Strategy, Cultural Protocol, Access & Benefit Sharing Framework and Agreement and Accreditation (Labelling) System. In 2024, she presented at the Victorian Traditional Owner Native Food and Botanicals Strategy (TONFABS) Conference alongside leading industry experts and academics, discussing how Traditional Owner Corporations in Victoria can leverage the TONFABS Cultural Protocol to address gaps in industry engagement with TOs.
In 2024, Anika was engaged as an expert consultant to produce a Report on Indigenous Agricultural Regulatory and Best Practice Frameworks for the National Farmers Federation First Nations Agricultural Product Framework. The report details legal and regulatory models, industry standards and practices and Indigenous decision-making models for best practices on strategies for the protection of First Nations knowledge and cultural heritage in the agricultural products industry.
Anika leads a range of specialist workshops at TJC, including True Tracks®, Looking Out for Culture, Bush Products & the Law, Indigenous Data Sovereignty, Guarding Governance® and Joint Ventures and the Law, drawing on her broad legal expertise to support clients strengthen governance capabilities, protect ICIP, navigate legal and business frameworks, and uphold Indigenous rights across various industries.
Anika has developed leading Indigenous Data Governance Frameworks and Policies for First Nations clients across the health, biodiversity, research, university, and government sectors, supporting the respectful collection and management of Indigenous data consistent with privacy laws and the international and national principles of Indigenous Data Sovereignty and Indigenous Data Governance.
Awards
Finalist, Mentor of the Year (Lawyers Weekly Law Awards) 2024
Finalist, Senior Associate of the Year (Lawyers Weekly Law Awards) 2024
Excellence Award (Lawyers Weekly Law Awards) 2023
Senior Associate of the Year (Lawyers Weekly Law Awards) 2023
Finalist, Mentor of the Year (Lawyers Weekly Law Awards) 2023
Finalist, Innovator of the Year (Lawyers Weekly Law Awards) 2023
Senior Associate of the Year (Australian Law Awards) 2022
Finalist, Innovator of the Year (Australian Law Awards) 2022
Innovator of the Year (Lawyers Weekly Women in Law Awards) 2021
Community
Anika’s expertise, professionalism and sensitivities to cultural considerations enables her to build long-lasting client relationships built on mutual respect, understanding and trust. She regularly conducts educational and training workshops for Traditional Owners and community groups to build knowledge, skills, capacity and empower self-determination.
