• Full time, Fixed term position up to 2 years
• Salary range: $113,668 - $131,153 plus super
• Up to $15,900 in salary packaging, flexible hybrid work arrangement

About the role

As a senior advocate, provide high quality legal services including legal advice, duty lawyer services, complex casework, representation, negotiation and dispute resolution on behalf of clients, primarily in child protection and intervention order matters in the Children's Court of Victoria and related matters in Children's Court of Victoria or in other jurisdictions. This may include referrals, initial advice and assistance in other legal areas connected to the primary legal problem, such as family law matters as required. 

To provide supervision, training, and mentoring to junior child protection legal staff, and lead or contributes to policy initiatives, Victoria Legal Aid (VLA) projects, law reform work and community legal education.  

As the Lead Senior Lawyer Child Protection, this role provides support and advanced legal expertise to other Senior Lawyers and Lawyers within the Bendigo office.

This role is based at our Bendigo office on Dja Dja Wurrung Country. 

About you

As our ideal candidate, you will possess:

• Substantial knowledge and extensive experience in the practice of child protection and intervention order matters, including strong advocacy experience and the preparation of complex litigation.
• Sound understanding of the intersectional matters that contribute to child protection client legal needs, and the factors that can contribute to positive outcomes when interacting with Australia's courts.
• Exercises sound forensic judgement and is recognised for their skill in case strategy and case analysis to guide complex cases.
• Demonstrated ability to identify and provide strategic advice on legal and policy issues (including experience advocating for law and policy reform). Understands the relevant external stakeholders and their impact on VLA's work including government, courts, tribunals and commissions, regulators, members of Parliament, private practitioners, the community legal sector, and the community and welfare groups.
• High level of interpersonal, negotiation and communication skills, including a demonstrated ability to develop strategic relationships and communicate effectively with diverse clients and stakeholders at all levels and foster a cooperative and supportive team environment.
• Ability to supervise, mentor and train staff and contribute to the development of individuals and their knowledge and skills in child protection and intervention order matters more broadly.
• Demonstrated experience working with First Nations people including an understanding of the cultural norms, communication styles and complex issues experienced by First Nations peoples in Australia (highly desirable). 
• Demonstrated experience in dealing with people with drug and alcohol dependency and/or a diagnosis of a mental illness, intellectual disability, acquired brain injury or a neurological impairment (highly desirable)
• A knowledge of the general business of VLA and a commitment to our vision and values. 

Don't meet every requirement? At VLA, we understand that your work and life experiences can be just as valuable. If your CV doesn't align perfectly with our job description, we strongly encourage you to apply. You may be just the right candidate.

About VLA
We offer legal representation, family dispute resolution and non-legal advocacy to those who need it most. With over 1400 staff employed in 16 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

• A focus on work-life balance, including flexible working arrangements
• Hybrid work from home & office model 
• Generous leave benefits, including:
  • Three days paid seasonal leave (to be taken between Boxing Day and New Year's Day public holidays)
  • Paid gender affirmation leave
  • Five days both paid reproductive and fertility leave per calendar year
• Annual 3% salary increase each December plus performance-related salary incentives
• Attractive salary packaging options including General Expenses up to $15,900, Meals & Entertainment up to $2,650 PLUS Novated Leasing
• Discounted annual Myki public transport passes 
• Individual learning and professional development opportunities, tailored to your role and career goals
• Free annual flu vaccinations
• Access to gym and end-of-trip facilities at our CBD office
• Access to our Employee Assistance Program, including confidential counselling and access to a range of mental health and wellbeing resources.

How to apply
To be considered for this role, please submit your current resume and a cover letter addressing the key selection criteria. 

If you require adjustments 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, please review the attached position description or contact Nickie King on 03 5445 2302 or recruitment@vla.vic.gov.au. 

No agency applications will be accepted. 

Applications close by 11.59pm on 19 February 2026. 

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.