Senior Lawyer, Child Protection

About this role

• Full time or part time (0.8FTE) ongoing position
• Could consider job share
• Salary range: $110,357 - $127,333 (pro rata) plus super plus salary packaging
• Up to $15,900 in salary packaging and hybrid WFH & office model

About the role
In this role, you will act as a senior lawyer conducting complex casework, providing legal representation and advice to our clients appearing in child protection and intervention order matters in the Children's Court of Victoria, and across other jurisdictions as required.

You will contribute to the professional development of the in-house legal practice by mentoring and supervising less experienced lawyers and work closely with professional and community agencies to enhance community legal education and assist in developing strategies to improve client services.

The Broadmeadows office is easily accessible by bus, train or car. The Broadmeadows Magistrates' and Children's Courts, the local police, the Northern Community Legal Centre and The Orange Door are just a 10-minute walk from the office. 

This role is based at our Broadmeadows office on Wurundjeri Country.

About you
As our ideal candidate, you will possess:

• Comprehensive knowledge and practical experience in relevant law and procedures, particularly focusing on the Children, Youth and Families Act 2005, and expertise in child protection and evidence law.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to interact sensitively and empathetically particularly children and young people, as well as their parents, staff, and external stakeholders.
• Strong advocacy skills and proficiency in offering strategic advice on legal policy matters, with a keen understanding of external organizations, community, and welfare groups, and their significance in legal aid services.
• Proven leadership abilities, with experience in supervising and mentoring junior legal staff.
• 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 1400 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

How to apply
To be considered for this role, please submit your current resume and a cover letter.

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 Tia Snoek, Deputy Managing Lawyer (03) 9302 8723 or recruitment@vla.vic.gov.au.

No agency applications will be accepted.

Applications close by 11.59pm on Monday 9 June 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.