A couple of months ago Sue Higginson had just decided to quit her job taking on corporations and governments in the courts as chief executive of the NSW Environmental Defenders Office.

After 11½ years with the community legal centre she was still wondering "What's next?" when an email arrived from Ian Cohen, who in 1995 became the first Greens member of the NSW Parliament.

Sue Higginson is seeking NSW Greens preselection in the seat of Lismore at the 2019 state election. Credit:Nic Walker

"He said, 'I know we've talking about this in the past – a long time ago – I know you've told me you're absolutely not interested in politics because law is your thing,'" Ms Higginson said.

But Mr Cohen proceeded to outline "a few opportunities" that had arisen.