Sydney Law School Welcomes Teela Reid as Professor of Practice
A proud Wiradjuri and Wailwan woman, Teela Reid brings a wealth of experience as a senior lawyer, essayist, and storyteller. Known for her work in Aboriginal Land Rights, Native Title, and cultural heritage law.
Reid’s career includes being an integral part of successful land rights claims, criminal defence, and advocacy for the Stolen Generations.
Her contributions to the Uluru Statement from the Heart and her leadership on constitutional reform have been pivotal in shaping national conversations about race and justice in Australia.
Reid previously served as the Sydney Law School’s inaugural First Nations Lawyer-in-Residence and co-founded the @blackfulla_bookclub, a platform celebrating First Nations storytelling. She is also in the process of publishing her debut novel, ‘Legally Blak.’
“I am honoured to be appointed as the inaugural Professor of Practice at Sydney Law School,” Reid said.
“It comes at a time when there is momentum for great change in legal education and the profession, to elevate First Nations laws and knowledge systems and to teach the truth about the impact of colonisation.
“I take great pride in my responsibilities as a First Nations Lawyer and now Professor. I look forward to working alongside colleagues and maintaining global partnerships as we transform lawyering in Australia.”
The Professor of Practice role is a collaborative initiative between Sydney Law School and the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Indigenous Strategy and Services).
Professor Rita Shackel, Interim Dean, Sydney Law School, said she was pleased to welcome Reid into the new role.
“We are extremely happy and proud to welcome Teela Reid as Professor of Practice,” Shackel said.
“Teela’s vision for this distinctive new role is exciting and offers the School and University an opportunity to progress our local and central aspirations to be a University founded on respect for and engagement with First Nations peoples and transformation in legal practice.’
This milestone was celebrated at the November meeting of the Law School Board, reflecting the significance of Reid’s appointment for the University’s commitment to First Nations engagement and leadership in legal education.
