Rachel joined Gilshenan & Luton in 2017 after working at a regional law firm for a number of years as the firm’s criminal law solicitor. Prior to that she worked as a Judge’s Associate and interned at the Crime and Corruption Commission, Legal Aid Queensland and Department of Communities (Child Safety Services).

Rachel has considerable experience in domestic violence matters, where she is well placed to assist clients in both bringing domestic violence applications for their protection and defending against them, as well as assisting with criminal charges arising from domestic violence-related matters.

In addition to domestic violence law, Rachel has extensive complex trial experience and represents clients in all aspects of criminal law with particular expertise in sexual offences, including historical, institutional sexual abuse matters and misconduct related charges brought against members of the public service.

Aside from her criminal law work, Rachel represents clients in child protection matters, disciplinary matters and coronial inquests. She also regularly assists victims and witnesses to navigate the criminal justice system.

In 2022, Rachel gained Specialist Accreditation in Criminal Law through the Queensland Law Society. Rachel is a member of the Queensland Law Society’s (QLS) Domestic Violence Committee and the QLS Specialist Accreditation Committee (Crime). She is also an active member of the Women Lawyers Association of Queensland. Rachel has presented at conferences and seminars on domestic violence law including at the 2024 and 2025 QLS criminal, family and domestic violence conference and the 2025 Family Law Practitioners Association Retreat.

Rachel is married and has two young children. In her downtime, she enjoys spending time with friends and family and her golden retriever, Tilly.