Senior Lawyer - Economic & Social Rights Program

Help make a difference in our community as a Senior Lawyer with a focus on the National Disability Insurance Scheme here at VLA.
Job Details
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Department: Victoria Legal Aid
Work Type: Fixed term - full time
Job Function: Legal
Classification: VLA4 - V4LO4B
Work Location: Melbourne - CBD
Reference: VG/SLESR
Closing Date: 01-Oct-2023
Salary Range: $96,953 - $121,188
Job Duration: Up to 20 Months
Attachments: Senior Lawyer Economic & Social Rights - Candidate application form.docx (Word, 226KB)


Senior Lawyer Economic & Social Rights - Position Description.docx (Word, 225KB)


Contact: Samantha Aude Sowerwine - Program Manager
(03) 9269 0264

Position Details

  • Full time contract position up to June 2025
  • Salary based on experience, range: $96,953 - $121,188 plus super
  • Attractive employee benefits including salary packaging

About the role:
In this role you will be involved in providing expert legal advice and conducting high level casework and litigation, with a focus on the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS). You will play a leading role in our NDIS practice, including through appearing as a Senior Lawyer in courts and tribunals, supervising and mentoring other lawyers, contributing to legal education and training programs, leading working groups and communities of practice, and participating in law reform initiatives and advocacy projects.

About ESR:
The Economic and Social Rights program contributes to the fight against poverty and social exclusion by providing legal support to address challenges that can result in long-term disadvantages. Our program offers assistance across various areas, including NDIS appeals, social security, tenancy, debt resulting from substantial fines, and matters relating to working with children's checks.

About you:
As our ideal candidate, you will possess:

  • Demonstrated experience conducting complex civil law matters with a focus on Economic and Social Rights matters, in particular NDIS matters.
  • Substantial knowledge and practical experience in civil law and relevant court procedures with a focus on Economic and Social Rights matters, particularly NDIS.
  • Ability to provide supervision, mentoring and training of staff and contribute to the development of individuals and their knowledge and skills in civil law and NDIS-related work.
  • Ability to provide strategic advice on legal and policy issues and a demonstrated understanding of the broader sector in the delivery of legal services, including external organisations, private practitioners, community and welfare groups.

Don't meet every requirement? At VLA, we understand that your work and life experiences can be just as valuable. If you're excited about this role but your CV doesn't align perfectly with our job description, we encourage you to apply anyway. You may be just the right candidate for this or one of our many other opportunities.

About Victoria Legal Aid:
We provide legal representation to those who need it most. With over 1000 staff employed in 15 offices across Victoria, we help people with their legal problems by providing information, advice and education with a focus on the prevention and early resolution of legal problems.

Our clients come from all walks of life and so do we. We hire great people from a wide variety of backgrounds and foster a work culture that's inclusive as well as diverse. Your unique ideas and perspectives are valued so that we best represent the people we serve.

Employee benefits:

  • Family friendly, flexible hybrid work from home & office model
  • Training and professional development opportunities
  • Supportive team environment in modern offices
  • Salary packaging which allows up to $15,900 of your salary each year to be tax free

How to apply:
To be considered for this role, please submit a current resume and completed candidate application form (listed within the file attachments).

If you require adjustment to the recruitment and selection process or need an alternative format to any of the application material, please don't hesitate to get in touch with our team.

For further information review the attached position description or contact Samantha Sowerwine - Program Manager on (03) 9269 0264.

No agency applications will be accepted.

Applications close by 11.59pm on Sunday 1 October 2023

Other relevant information:
It is a requirement that staff attend for office-based days at their primary work location. In line with this requirement, interstate applications will be considered only where the candidate is able and willing to relocate to Victoria, unless part of a border community.

VLA is committed to putting the safety and wellbeing of children first.


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