“Since I was a kid I have had strong feelings regarding animal sentience and the welfare of animals. I have always been convinced that all animals feel pain, joy and fear and wondered why their suffering was not a bigger issue. I truly believe that the future is vegan and that the law has an important role to play in protecting animals from exploitation and cruelty. I am confident that laws will increase in the future and, through the law, knowledge, acquaintance and love, the conscious existence of all sentient beings will be recognised and animals will be treated with love, compassion and empathy.”
Emma Liana has completed a Bachelor of Laws with a major in Criminology from Macquarie University in Sydney, Australia. She was admitted as a lawyer to the Supreme Court of NSW in March 2024. She has a particular interest in advancing the welfare of animals in food systems and legal personhood. Prior to commencing study, Emma worked within the legal profession often making Court appearances in the Criminal Law jurisdiction. In addition to this, she also interned at Legal Aid providing legal services to socially and economically disadvantaged clients. Most recently, Emma has been working as a legal research assistant at Queensland University of Technology. Her most recent research project has been focused on advancing knowledge about how to govern food in ways that ensures the interests of animals.
Emma has undertaken many activist activities and has been at the forefront of organisations advocating for stronger legal protections for animals. In addition to law and advocacy, Emma strongly believes in creating change through raising awareness and in her spare time pursues volunteer work including protesting on the streets and actively making submissions into parliamentary animal welfare inquiries.
She is a recipient of the Centre for Animal Law Studies International Scholarship Award. She is a member of the Animal Justice Party in New South Wales, and a member of the Centre for Justice and the Centre for Agriculture and the Bioeconomy.
“I started this journey with the intention of being a voice for the voiceless and a protector of the weak and vulnerable, CALS has given me the opportunity to make a real difference for the animals.”