• Full time ongoing position (part-time applications 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
Victoria Legal Aid (VLA) is seeking a Senior Lawyer to join our Bendigo team. In this role, you will provide high-quality legal services, including court advocacy, complex casework, and legal advice in criminal law and family violence matters. You'll represent clients in various courts, including the Magistrates' Court of Victoria and the Children's Court, ensuring they receive fair legal representation.

Additionally, you will have the opportunity to mentor and train junior lawyers, supporting their professional growth. Please note, travel for court appearances and community outreach may be required. 

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

About you
As our ideal candidate, you will possess:

• Strong experience in criminal law and family violence, with a proven advocacy track record.
• Understanding of court procedures and the laws related to criminal law and family violence is essential.
• Exceptional interpersonal skills, with the capacity to communicate clearly and empathetically with clients facing social and economic disadvantages, as well as effectively engaging with colleagues and stakeholders.
• Proven experience supervising and mentoring junior staff, with a focus on their professional development.
• A current 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 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.