Coby Foster is a pro bono lawyer based in Brisbane.

Coby works in the firm's national pro bono practice with a particular focus on supporting First Nations organisations and communities on projects that deliver impactful outcomes whilst preserving our environment and biodiversity and protecting international human rights.  

Coby's practice area involves working directly with First Nations clients in the Carbon, Climate and ESG space.  She has advised clients in their engagement with the carbon market, in particular the negotiation of agreements across different methodologies.  Coby also has expertise in native title, cultural heritage, and corporate governance related matters, in particular advising clients under the Corporations (Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander) Act (CATSI Act) and the Corporations Act. 

Prior to joining NRF, Coby worked as a native title lawyer for over 12 years representing many First Nations clients across Queensland at various stages of their native title journey.  Amongst other things this included providing legal advice and assisting Traditional Owner groups to have their native title recognised through the Federal Court of Australia.  It also involved navigating complex negotiations, negotiating a variety of agreements with proponents, interviewing and assisting clients to prepare witness statements, and assisting with corporate governance related matters.  Through that work, in addition to her technical legal skills, Coby has developed a deep understanding of the challenges and opportunities faced by First Nations people in the native title space, as well as Aboriginal cultural heritage, carbon and corporate governance matters. Coby actively works to develop and implement Indigenous-led solutions for land management and economic development and also understands the principles of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, and the importance of FPIC as a fundamental human right. 

Coby has a wide breadth of experience spanning almost two decades and is committed to making a genuine social impact in the work that she does and building deep and impactful client relationships.