LLB/BSocSc (MU)
Carla da Roza
Law Graduate
Expertise
Carla is a Law Graduate at Terri Janke and Company. Carla has expertise in legal and social science research, drafting and policy development. Carla has developed an extensive understanding of Intellectual Property (IP) and Indigenous Cultural and Intellectual Property (ICIP). She has assisted in supporting First Nations IP and ICIP rights in a diverse number of areas. This includes native foods and botanicals, cultural heritage, health, arts, and the Galleries, Libraries, Archives, and Museums (GLAM) sectors.
Experience
Carla is deeply passionate about social justice and empowering communities to lead fulfilling lives. She holds a Bachelor of Law and Bachelor of Social Science from Macquarie University and received several awards for her academic achievements. During her time at university, Carla contributed to the policy development of the Northern Beaches Council in 2022 as a Social Research Intern. She developed and delivered a research report to progress the Council’s priorities under its Community Safety Plan 2021 – 2026. Carla provides research and legal support to the team. With a background in visual arts and interior design, Carla’s creativity extends into her legal practice.
Photo by Stephen Wilson Barker
Recent Projects
Preparing advice on trade marks, and undertaking trade mark registration with IP Australia for First Nations businesses and organisations;
Developing best practice First Nations engagement strategies, protocols and free, prior and informed consent guidelines for business and organisations;
Developing materials for workshops across a range of areas, including First Nations engagement, IP, ICIP, governance, native foods and botanicals, the GLAM sector, cultural heritage and research;
Drafting agreements to support First Nations peoples in protecting their ICIP and IP; and
Developing reports evaluating First Nations engagement in the agricultural and native foods and botanicals sectors.
Awards
Highest Achiever in Law of the Sea (Macquarie University) 2024
Highest Achiever in Indigenous Peoples and the Law (Macquarie University) 2024
Finalist, Law Student of the Year (Lawyers Weekly Law Awards) 2024
Merit List (Macquarie University) 2024
Highest Achiever in the Politics of Human Rights Law (Macquarie University) 2021
Highest Achiever in Criminal Justice (Macquarie University) 2019
Mitry Lawyers Prize for Criminal Justice (Macquarie University) 2019
Community
Carla has Maltese, Portuguese and Irish heritage. She lives on Cammeraygal Ngurra (Country) in Sydney’s North Shore, but spent time growing up in Boorloo, on Whadjuk Noongar Boodjar (Perth). Carla connects with her culture through a love of cooking and baking, especially traditional Maltese foods. In her spare time, Carla enjoys painting and connecting with nature through hiking, sailing and exploring new swimming spots. In 2021, Carla undertook as six-month road trip across the continent, an experience that deeply enriched her understanding and appreciation of Aboriginal land.
