Sophie’s expertise includes:

• Native Title and Indigenous land Disputes
• Commercial Arbitrations
• Leasing and Construction disputes
• Workplace and safety

• Lead partner for Northern Territory Government in a class action defending claims of Human Rights breaches concerning housing in 73 remote communities.
• Lead partner for Northern Territory Government in relation to claims brought by public housing tenants in the remote indigenous community of Santa Teresa.
• Lead partner for Traditional Owners in a commercial arbitration to determine the traditional ownership of land leased to Rio Tinto on the Gove Peninsula.
• Lead partner for traditional owners in a groundbreaking Native Title proceeding where the question of whether compensation flows from acts amounting to an acquisition of property where there is a failure to pay on just terms. This matter is the subject to an appeal to the High Court to be heard mid-2024.
• Lead partner in Native Title proceeding where compensation is claimed over the Gove bauxite mine and Nhulunbuy lease areas. Compensation will likely exceed $700 million.
• I advise most local councils in the NT on a regular basis in relation to employment, disputes and regulatory issues including ICAC. This often involves presenting reports to indigenous members and conversing with indigenous employees.
• Lead partner in relation to several leasing and construction disputes.
• Lead partner advising a big 4 bank in following allegations of human rights breaches by traditional owners flowing from the provision of a finance facility to Santos to develop the Barossa Gas Project.