Senior Lawyer

About this role

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

About the role 
Make a difference acting as an advocate by providing expert legal advice and conducting casework in complex civil law matters. As a Senior Lawyer in the Mental Health and Disability Law team, you will be appearing in various courts and tribunals to effectively advocate for clients with civil and human rights issues, with a focus on mental health and disability law. You will also contribute to projects aimed at improving access to justice and delivering consumer-centred, trauma-informed legal services. 

The role will also involve mentoring and training junior lawyers in civil law. You will also have the opportunity to contribute to and support professional legal education and civil law training programs. 

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

About you 
As our ideal candidate, you will possess: 

• Substantial knowledge and experience in civil law and relevant court procedures, with a focus on mental health and disability law.  
• Knowledge of law reform, strategic advocacy and service design initiatives in relation to civil law issues.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, and experience working with diverse clients. 
• The ability to assist in supervising, mentoring and training junior lawyers in civil law.  
• A current Australian practising certificate which entitles you to practise in Victoria as a government legal practitioner/principal of a law practice. 

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 1300 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 

• 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 cover letter addressing the following key selection criteria: 

1. Demonstrated capacity to work as an advocate and caseworker in complex civil law matters, with a focus on mental health and disability law. 
2. Strong communication skills and experience working with people who come from a range of backgrounds, including culturally and linguistically diverse communities, people with disability, people experiencing mental health issues and people experiencing social or economic disadvantage. 
3. Ability to supervise, mentor and train staff and contribute to the development of individuals and their knowledge and skills in civil law. 

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 Kathryn Moloney, Managing Lawyer on (03) 9269 0340 or Renee Rao, Recruitment Specialist on recruitment@vla.vic.gov.au. 
 
No agency applications will be accepted. 

Applications close by 11.59pm on Wednesday 4 December 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.