Senior Civil Lawyer

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
You will act as a senior advocate by providing high quality legal services, managing complex civil law case work and advocating in areas that affect people's rights.

A key focus for this role will be mental health and disability law and providing high quality legal services in the Mental Health Tribunal. Other areas of work may include tenancy, social security, National Disability and Insurance Scheme (NDIS) and fines. You will also participate in community legal education and develop collaborative relationships between VLA and local stakeholders. Availability on Mondays and Tuesdays is essential, as these are key duty lawyer service days in the Geelong office.

As a Senior Lawyer, you will also play a key role in developing the capability of our legal team through mentoring, supervision, and training of junior and senior lawyers. You will contribute your subject matter expertise to policy initiatives, law reform, and VLA projects, ensuring our services remain responsive to the needs of the community.

This role is based at our Geelong office on Wadawurrung Country.

About you
As our ideal candidate, you will possess:

• Substantial knowledge or practical experience in civil law and relevant court and tribunal procedures with the capacity to work as an advocate and caseworker, particularly in the Mental Health Tribunal
• Ability to provide strategic advice on legal and policy issues and positively engage with key partner agencies to appropriately manage referrals.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to work collaboratively with others and communicate with a diverse stakeholder group. 
• Strong interest and capability in providing mentorship and guidance to junior team members in enhancing their skills and knowledge in civil law. 
• A current Australian practicing certificate which entitles you to practise in Victoria as a government legal practitioner (mandatory).  

 Why Geelong?

• The Geelong office is just over an hour drive from Melbourne and Ballarat.
• All the amenities of a city, without the extended commute to work.
• Residents in parts of Geelong and the greater region face some of the highest levels of disadvantage in Australia.
• Exposure to multiple practice areas including summary crime, indictable crime, youth crime, child protection, family violence, and family law.
• Opportunity to lead the delivery of community legal education and stakeholder engagement in the region.
• Feel a sense of connectedness and community from working in regional Australia.

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 offer legal representation, family dispute resolution and non-legal advocacy 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
• Relocation support offered

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 Marquita Nolan, Regional Manager on (03) 5226 5696 or recruitment@vla.vic.gov.au.

No agency applications will be accepted.

Applications close by 11.59pm on Sunday 30 November 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.