Acknowledgment of Country

Court Services Victoria acknowledges Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the First Peoples and Traditional Owners and Custodians of the land and waterways upon which our lives depend. We pay respect to their Elders, knowledge holders and leaders - past and present

About us

The County Court of Victoria is established pursuant to the County Court Act 1958 (Vic). It has original and appellate jurisdiction and is the principal trial court in Victoria.

Cases are heard across three divisions: Criminal, Common Law and Commercial.

The Commercial Division is currently headed by Her Honour Judge Burchell and has an unlimited monetary jurisdiction in commercial matters. Cases involve general commercial matters, complex cases, arbitration, building disputes and banking and finance disputes.

All matters are heard by judge alone, or in some instances, a Judicial Registrar or Deputy Registrar.

About the Role

Are you a lawyer with 1-2 years of PAE looking for an exciting opportunity to work as an Associate at the County Court of Victoria?

His Honour Judge Wise is seeking a legally qualified individual to join his chambers as one of his two Associates, with an anticipated commencement date of July 2026. This is a unique opportunity to gain first-hand insight into the administration of justice within the State's busiest trial court. As an Associate, you will gain invaluable insight into the role of the advocate and have the opportunity to develop a strong professional network. 

His Honour currently sits in the Court's Commercial Division and is the Judge in Charge of the Banking & Finance List. His Honour is also a Vice President of the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal.

The position of Associate is highly sought after and provides high-level legal and administrative support to the Judge so they can meet their obligations both within the Court and in chambers.  The role requires articulate, passionate and resilient individuals who can build positive professional relationships with stakeholders.

Duties of an Associate include:

• Preparation of correspondence and other communication required in the management of judicial chambers
• Liaising with internal and external stakeholders including other judicial officers, barristers, solicitors, other court staff, court users, registry officers and the public
• Assisting His Honour with the coordination and case management of matters, including court sittings and liaising with parties
• Providing operational, administrative and technical support to His Honour, as well as other judicial officers, both in chambers and in court
• Drafting, editing and proofreading orders, judgments, rulings and sentences including formatting, citations, anonymisation, and publication as well as summarising facts, and evidence
• Managing His Honour's schedule of engagements and commitments
• Undertaking accurate, timely data entry and maintaining all relevant information in the case management systems in accordance with record keeping guidelines
• Undertaking legal research as directed by His Honour and preparation of required draft documents

About you

The successful applicant will demonstrate:

• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills to engage confidently, professionally and respectfully with members of the judiciary, legal profession, court staff and the public
• Strong legal research and writing skills, including ability to prepare accurate and precise legal correspondence
• Exceptional attention to detail and proofreading skills and a consistently high standard of written communication and grammar
• Strong organisational and time management skills, with the ability to effectively manage competing priorities and work within demanding timeframes
• The ability to exercise discretion, sound judgment and professionalism within a sensitive and confidential environment
• The ability to work both independently and collaboratively within a small, high-performing team
• Demonstrated strong computer literacy skills with the ability to work on several online programs and case management systems
• Highly developed computer literacy skills, including proficiency across multiple online platforms, case management systems and video conferencing technology such as Zoom and Webex
• Adaptability and flexibility in response to changing priorities and operational requirements

Applicants must be admitted to legal practice in Australia. Post-admission experience or previous legal practice experience will be highly regarded. An interest in advocacy and an intention to pursue a career at the Bar are desirable.

How to Apply

Your application must include:

• a cover letter outlining your interests and suitability for the role
• a current resume
• a copy of your academic transcript

For further information on the position, please see the attached position description. 

Wellbeing in the Court Environment

Working at the County Court can be both rewarding and meaningful. At times, however, your work may involve exposure to sensitive, confronting or potentially distressing material. The County Court recognises the impact of these demands on our people, and have a range of services, programs, and strategies in place to help mitigate the psychological impact of exposures.

We are committed to fostering a thriving and supported workforce, and we partner with our employees to make this happen. The County Court expects that employees play an active role in managing their psychological health, including reaching out for assistance to our support services when needed.

Other information

Court Services Victoria (CSV) is the employer of staff at Courts Group. CSV has a firm commitment through its Koori Employment Plan to increase participation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people across our workforce. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are strongly encouraged to apply for these opportunities. For cultural support or all enquiries relating to support available for First Nations applicants, please contact the CSV Dhumba Murmuk Djerring Unit: dmdu@courts.vic.gov.au

We value the unique backgrounds, experiences, and contributions that each person brings to our community and encourage and celebrate diversity. Those from the LGBTQIA+ community, women, people of all ages, with disabilities, culturally and linguistically diverse people, and those who are neurodiverse, are encouraged to apply.

We aim to create a workforce that reflects the community in which we live.

If you require adjustments to the recruitment and selection process or require an alternative format to any of the application material, please don't hesitate to get in touch with the Talent Acquisition team: careers@courts.vic.gov.au

As part of our commitment to a safe and respectful workplace, we conduct pre-employment checks, including but not limited to, reference checks, police checks and misconduct screening. These checks are handled confidentially and with care and are a standard part of our hiring process to ensure the right fit for both our candidates and the organisation.