Meet the Jigsaw Legal team
Sarah McBratney, Principal
Sarah founded Jigsaw Legal in 2024 after 18 years of practice in native title, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural heritage, resources and government law.
She has held senior positions in a national law firm, an energy company, the National Native Title Tribunal, and led the dedicated Native Title and Resources team at Crown Law, legal advisors to the Queensland government, from 2018 to 2024.
Sarah has a straight forward communication style and strives to make sure her clients really understand her advice. She enjoys providing ‘Native Title 101’ workshops as well as training on the Queensland cultural heritage legislation. Her training style is relaxed and accessible; it has been described as more like listening to a podcast than a seminar.
Sarah is a frequent presenter at industry and legal events.
Contact Sarah: [email protected] or 0407 579 012.
Emma Hanley, Senior Associate
Emma joined Jigsaw Legal after working with Sarah as a Senior Lawyer in the Native Title and Resources team at Crown Law, Queensland. Prior to that, Emma worked at a national firm as a lawyer in dispute resolution and litigation. Emma also served as an Associate to a Judge of the Federal Court of Australia.
Emma is experienced in native title determination applications, Indigenous Land Use Agreements and cultural heritage agreements. She is committed to working collaboratively with clients and to delivering practical and efficient outcomes.
Emma works flexibly across Monday – Wednesday.
Contact Emma: [email protected] or 0414 553 172.
We love solving legal puzzles!
Working with Jigsaw Legal gives you direct access to Sarah McBratney, a leading native title, cultural heritage, resources and government lawyer. Sarah is assisted by Emma Hanley, Senior Associate, whose experience spans private practice and government.
With 20 years’ experience in this specialised field, Sarah and Emma work with industry, government and Traditional Owners to navigate these complex areas of law with tailored advice, training and the negotiation and drafting of agreements.
Advice to renewables and resources industry, government and Traditional Owners on:
- native title, especially ‘future acts’;
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural heritage law;
- Human Rights Act 2019 (Qld) compliance and complaints;
- Resources and renewables law and project approvals;
- Australian Carbon Credit Unit projects; and
- obligations for government and advice for those working with government.
Negotiation and drafting of:
- Indigenous Land Use Agreements;
- section 31 agreements and ancillary agreements; and
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural heritage plans and agreements;
- Conduct and compensation agreements for resources projects.
Bespoke training for your business, organisation or government agency on:
- Native Title;
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural heritage; and
- Human Rights Act 2019 (Qld).