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. She is also an active member of the Women Lawyers Association of Queensland. Rachel has been a presenter in legal seminars and panels in respect of criminal law, including the Ethical Conundrums Panel at the 2019 International Society for the Reform of Criminal Law.

Rachel is married to Ned, and they have one daughter together. In her downtime, she enjoys spending time with friends and family and her golden retriever, Tilly.