Rita is a solicitor at Birchgrove Legal. Joining the firm in 2021, Rita brings rich experience in public policy and legal advocacy work gained from her professional experience to date. She has had a varied and storied career, giving her a broad set of skills which she uses to add extensive value to all her engagements After her legal education (gained at Adelaide’s Flinders University), Rita worked as Advisor to multiple political leaders, including Chris Evans (Senator for Western Australia and Shadow Minister for Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs) and Jenny Macklin (Australian Minister for Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs). She then worked in consultancy in the public sector, including in First Nations organising and advocacy, program funding and via the publication of position papers. One of the highlights of Rita’s work while in the parliamentary system was the National Apology to Australia’s Indigenous peoples. Fulfilling a lifelong passion for education and teaching Rita worked for several years as a schoolteacher, also developing curricula during this phase of her professional life. Most recently she brought her legal and advocacy skills together as Advisor to Australian Muslim Advocacy Network (AMAN), defining the organisation’s overall strategy and being extensively involved in research, submissions, media releases and legal correspondence on behalf of the organisation. Rita prides herself on her ability to develop innovative strategies that cut through complex policy problems and on creating long lasting relationships that create value for all stakeholders.