Lisa Toohey

Professor Lisa Toohey is a leading academic in international trade law and legal innovation at UNSW Sydney, specifically within the School of Private & Commercial Law. She holds a Bachelor of Arts (Hons) and Bachelor of Laws (Hons) from the University of Queensland, a Master of Laws from the University of Melbourne, and a PhD in International Law and International Relations from the University of Queensland. She is an admitted solicitor and barrister of the High Court of Australia.

Her research focuses on weaponized trade, legal design, and dispute resolution mechanisms in the Asia-Pacific. Current projects include the Australian Government-funded Weaponised Trade Project and Traceability and Trade Project. Past grants include a Fulbright Fellowship (2020) at the University of Texas at Austin and roles as Senior Fellow at Georgetown University’s Institute of International Economic Law.

• Research Interests: International trade law, economic coercion, legal design, mediation, and access to justice.
• Grants: Over 20 grants including major projects on trade traceability and dispute resolution.
• Professional Roles: Past Associate Dean (Education) at UNSW Law, Deputy Dean (Research) at University of Newcastle, and founder of the Australasian Dispute Resolution Network.

Her teaching spans international law, legal innovation, and dispute resolution, with visiting professorships in Vietnam, Thailand, and Switzerland. She actively contributes to policy development through roles like assessor for Hong Kong’s Research Grants Council and member of the Asian WTO Research Network.