• Unique opportunity to gain exposure to Government clients while working on diverse matters of high profile public interest
• Develop your legal skills and knowledge
• Hybrid working from home/office environment
• Ongoing | Full-time
• VPS 2 58,539 - $75,175 plus superannuation per annum

About the VGSO

The Victorian Government Solicitor's Office (VGSO) vision is to be the Victorian Government's trusted legal partner.

The VGSO provides responsive legal services exclusively for the Victorian Government and public sector. Our place within government ensures we are at the centre of legal change, reform and problem-solving. We operate as a service-driven legal professional practice and strive for excellence in this competitive environment. In all aspects of our operations, we aim to role model and live by our values: Responsiveness, Integrity, Insight, Collaboration and Excellence.

About the branch and role

We have an exciting opportunity for an enthusiastic and motivated Paralegal to join our Litigation & Dispute Resolution Branch and work alongside our highly experienced and passionate solicitors.

The Litigation & Dispute Resolution Branch comprises several legal teams that provide specialist legal services to government departments and statutory bodies on matters which are topical and often involve public interest issues.

The day-to-day work of the branch includes managing diverse, complex and sensitive litigation including:

• General civil, police civil and tortious claims
• State care, personal injury and negligence claims (including historical institutional abuse claims involving former minors and young persons in the care of the State)
• Coronial investigations including inquests
• Supervision order matters
• Judicial review and statutory interpretation
• Contempt of court, defamation, injunctions and vexatious litigant applications
• Commercial litigation

In this role, will work across complex and sensitive litigation matters handled by the branch. The type of work may include historical institutional abuse claims involving former minors and young persons in care of the State, general civil claims, tortious claims against Victoria Police and Corrections Victoria, coronial inquests and matters under the Crimes (Mental Impairment and Unfitness to be Tried) Act 1997. As needs arise and to diversify your files, you will also provide support to other streams of work undertaken by the branch.

Day to day duties would include:

• Assisting with court preparation, including discovery related tasks and general document management
• Legal research and analysis
• Drafting correspondence, briefs to counsel and court documents
• Liaising with clients, counsel and solicitors to assist VGSO solicitors
• Assisting with legal support and administrative duties as required

Skills and experience

• Prior experience working as a Paralegal
• A demonstrated ability to perform high quality legal research
• Previous experience with document management/discovery related tasks would be highly desirable
• Excellent attention to detail and consistent high standards of work
• Ability to ‘think on your feet' and work independently in the absence of specific instruction
• Superior time management skills and the ability to multi-task and meet relevant deadlines
• Ability to appropriately deal with sensitive and highly confidential information

Benefits

VGSO offers an inclusive, collegiate and collaborative work environment where you will be well-supported and mentored to develop your knowledge. You will also be given excellent career opportunities to progress and develop within the organisation.

VGSO embraces flexibility and welcomes a conversation to help you achieve work-life balance. We currently work in a hybrid environment with employees enjoying a balance of working from home and in the office.

How to apply

If this sounds like the opportunity for you, apply now! Applications must include a cover letter and resume. Please note it is not a requirement to respond to the Key Selection Criteria separately but applicants should outline their relevant experience in their cover letter.

To find out more about this role, please view the position description attached. Alternatively, you can contact Kate Miller, Talent Acquisition Advisor at vgso.recruitment@vgso.vic.gov.au

Applications close at 11:59pm on Sunday, 12 January 2025.

Please note interviews for this role will be taking place in late January 2025.

Preferred candidates will be subject to pre-employment checks including but not limited to, reference checks, pre-employment misconduct screening and criminal record checks.