Jelena has been practising as a solicitor in the firm’s Local Government, Environmental and Planning team since December 2024.

Jelena primarily acts for both Applicants and Councils in Class 1 development appeals and regularly appears in the Land and Environment Court. Jelena also holds experience acting for Councils in regulatory compliance and environmental prosecution matters, including providing advice and appearing in Local Court.

Jelena has delivered seminars for the Planning Institute of Australia’s (PIA) Legal Series and regularly contributes to publications such as PIA’s New Planner and the Environment & Planning Law Association’s (EPLA NSW) Environmental Law Reporter.

Prior to joining Pikes and Verekers, Jelena held experience in the corporate renewable energy sector where she worked on State significant projects, as well as experience at the Downing Centre Local Court in both criminal law and civil litigation.

Jelena has previously studied and lived abroad in Italy, Singapore and Cambridge in the UK and enjoys running, reading and playing tennis in her spare time.