Associate Inhouse Counsel, Family and Children's Law

About this role

• Full time ongoing position 
• Salary range: $98,902 - $123,624 plus super plus salary packaging  
• Up to $15,900 in salary packaging and hybrid WFH & office model 

About the role 
We are seeking a motivated Associate Counsel who can provide high quality legal representation and advice to Victoria Legal Aid (VLA) and appear as Counsel in matters on behalf of VLA clients before the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia, the Family Division of the Children's Court, the Magistrates' and other Courts and Tribunals. 

In collaboration with other Chambers Advocates, you will provide advice and responses to law reform proposals. You will also be responsible for enhancing the professional development of lawyers in the Family, Youth and Children's Law program by delivering training programs and developing in-house staff advocacy skills.

This role is based at our Melbourne CBD office on Wurundjeri Country. 

 About you 
As our ideal candidate, you will possess: 

• Experience in advocacy and the preparation of complex litigation. 
• Knowledge and experience in the practice of Family, Youth and Children's Law and working as an advocate in complex matters. 
• Demonstrated skills in providing high level advice (oral and written) on legal and policy issues within limited constraint.   
• Strong interpersonal, communication and negotiation skills and demonstrated ability to liaise and communicate effectively with staff, special needs clients and external stakeholders and other organisations.  
• Ability to mentor and train legal staff in the development of their advocacy skills and knowledge of Family, Youth and Children's law. 
• A current Australian practising certificate which entitles you to practise in Victoria as a government legal practitioner (mandatory). 
• Entitled to practise in federal courts and courts exercising federal jurisdiction (entry on the High Court's Register of Practitioners) (mandatory).  

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 

• Focus on work-life balance including flexible working arrangements 
• Hybrid work from home & office model 
• Training and professional development opportunities 
• Excellent salary packaging options including General Expenses up to $15,900, Meals & Entertainment up to $2,650 and Novated Leasing 
• Opportunity to join Myki Commuter Club (and salary package the cost) 
• Supportive team environment in modern offices (including free gym and end-of-trip facilities at our CBD office) 
• Access to discounted Private Health Insurance 

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

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 Nadine DiBlasi, Senior In-House Counsel, Chambers on (03) 9269 0208 or Renee Rao, Recruitment Specialist on recruitment@vla.vic.gov.au. 

No agency applications will be accepted. 

Applications close by 11.59pm on Wednesday 6 November 2024. 

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.