• 1x full time ongoing position (part-time considered)
• 2x parental leave backfill positions up to 12 months
• Salary range: $87,799 - $98,901 (pro rata) plus super plus salary packaging
• Up to $15,900 in salary packaging and hybrid WFH & office model

About the role
Victoria Legal Aid (VLA) is seeking dedicated Lawyers to join our Bendigo team and provide high-quality legal services in criminal law and family violence matters. Bendigo VLA services the Bendigo law Courts and satellite Courts including Kyneton, Castlemaine, Kerang, Swan Hill, Echuca & Maryborough. As a Lawyer, you will advocate for Legal Aid clients, providing casework, legal advice, and court representation. New Lawyers, those with experience in criminal law and family violence or related practices areas seeking to develop a criminal law/family violence practice are welcome to apply.

This is an opportunity to play a key role in ensuring that clients have access to justice, advocating for their rights in court, and working alongside professionals to improve services for the community.

These roles are based at our Bendigo office on Dja Dja Wurrung Country.

About you
As our ideal candidate, you will possess:

• Experience in criminal law, family violence, or related areas, with the ability or willingness to develop the skills to provide legal advice and represent clients in court.
• Willingness to develop skills to provide in court advocacy and to communicate complex legal matters clearly to clients and stakeholders.
• Ability to work collaboratively in a supportive team environment, contributing to the success of the group.
• A passion for social justice, ensuring access to legal support for vulnerable and marginalized clients.
• Eligibility for an Australian practising certificate which entitles you to practise in Victoria as a government legal practitioner (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 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 part time & 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
• Access to discounted Private Health Insurance
• Relocation allowance if relocating for the role

Why Bendigo?
Bendigo and its Central Victorian surrounds is located on the traditional lands of the Dja Dja Wurrung and Taungurung peoples, and is famous for its heritage attractions and thriving local culture of art, food, wine and music, within 2 hours travel of Melbourne. Enjoy excellent work life balance and relaxed, affordable living without the noise and traffic- this regional city has all of the benefits and amenities of city living, situated in a beautiful regional setting.

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 Natasha Vanderheyden, Deputy Managing Lawyer on (03) 5448 2375 or recruitment@vla.vic.gov.au.

No agency applications will be accepted.

Applications close by 11.59pm on Monday 17 February 2025.

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.