Senior Lawyer, Youth Crime (4.2)

About this role

• Full time ongoing position (part-time considered)
• 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
The Youth Crime team provides expert specialist advice and representation to children and young people charged with criminal offences in the summary and indictable jurisdictions. We are seeking a highly skilled and experienced Expert Senior Lawyer to join Victoria Legal Aid. This role is responsible for delivering high-quality legal services in complex Youth Crime matters.

You will mentor and support lawyers and senior lawyers, manage high-profile and complex litigation, and contribute to policy and strategic initiatives and law reform work.

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

About you

• As our ideal candidate, you will possess:
• Strong court advocacy skills and experience with complex Youth Crime litigation.
• Experience supervising and mentoring lawyers and supporting team development.
• Understanding of the issues facing young people in the justice system, including those with disability, mental health needs or child protection involvement.
• A current unrestricted Australian practising certificate which entitles you to practise in Victoria as a government legal practitioner.
• LIV Accredited Specialisation, or equivalent significant legal practice experience in Youth Crime.

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
• 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 key selection criteria.

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 Barbara Tindall, Managing Lawyer, Youth Crime on (03) 9280 3734 or recruitment@vla.vic.gov.au.

No agency applications will be accepted.

Applications close by 11.59pm on Sunday 24 August 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.