Senior Lawyers (Criminal Law, Family Violence & Youth Crime) - Sunshine & Wyndham

About this role

Lead Justice Reform in Victoria's Fastest-Growing Corridor 

• Multiple Senior Lawyer positions available – Senior Lawyer A & Senior Lawyer B 
• Full-time (part time considered), ongoing and fixed-term roles 
• Work that matters. Career that grows. Team that supports. 

Be part of something transformational. 

The new Wyndham Law Courts will open in late 2025, and with it, an expanded legal service footprint for VLA across Melbourne's booming western suburbs. We're looking for experienced Senior Lawyers with a strong foundation in criminal law and family violence matters to join our Sunshine team – and help shape the future of justice delivery in the west. 

We have multiple Senior Lawyer roles available at both A and B levels. This is an integrated recruitment campaign: apply once to be considered for the role that best aligns with your experience, strengths and aspirations. 

What you'll do 

As a Senior Lawyer A, you will: 

• Deliver high-quality legal services in criminal law, family violence, and youth crime 
• Supervise and mentor junior lawyers and build capability across the team 
• Appear in complex matters in the Magistrates' Court and Children's Court 
• Engage in stakeholder relationships, reform initiatives, and community legal education 

As a Senior Lawyer B, you'll do all the above plus: 

• Serve as the Youth Crime Practice Lead across the Sunshine and South-West region 
• Supervise and support Senior Lawyers and early career lawyers in youth crime matters 
• Lead systemic advocacy and practice development to improve legal outcomes for young people

These roles are based at our Sunshine office & Wyndham Courts, on Wurundjeri and Bunurong Country. 

Who we're looking for 

We're seeking lawyers who are: 

• Technically excellent in criminal law (and ideally, family violence and youth crime) 
• Skilled advocates with sound judgement, compassion and cultural awareness 
• Strong collaborators who can lead, coach, and build trust across diverse teams 
• Values-driven – motivated by fairness, inclusion and systemic impact 

We especially encourage applications from First Nations people and those with a strong connection to Melbourne's West 

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.  

Why join us? 

• Career Progression: Join Victoria's largest employer of lawyers and grow through a technical legal leadership stream 
• Impactful Work: Support clients facing complex, intersectional challenges and contribute to systemic reform 
• Vibrant Location: Be part of a growing legal hub servicing the new Wyndham Law Courts – the largest outside the CBD 

Role Levels & Remuneration 

• Senior Lawyer A, Criminal Law ($101,869 - $118,844): Deliver high-level criminal and family violence services, mentor junior lawyers 
• Senior Lawyer B, (Youth Crime lead) ($110,357-$127,333): Take on a leadership role in Youth Crime practice across the region, coach other senior lawyers

Your role level will be assessed during the recruitment process. If you're unsure which level to apply for – just apply! 

Apply once. Be considered for multiple impactful roles. 
Join us in delivering justice that meets the moment – and the community. 

How to apply 

To be considered for this role, please submit your current resume and a brief cover letter (no more than two pages) setting out why you'd be great as a Senior Lawyer in our Sunshine & Wyndham team.  

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 Daniel Bakewell, Deputy Managing Lawyer Sunshine on (03) 9300 5333 or recruitment@vla.vic.gov.au.  

Applications will close by 11.59pm on Thursday 11 September 2025.