Her practice specialises in issues of customary law and community governance systems, as well as related access to natural resources issues. She has also litigated on traditional leadership disputes with the intention of asserting necessary democratic principles of customary law. She also works closely with the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights and, in particular, it’s Working Group on Extractive Industries. Prior to studying law, Wilmien completed a Master’s degree in Philosophy, specialising in post-structural theory and complexity. She has published papers on the theory of complexity, difference and equality and customary law as systems theory.