Senior Lawyer, Victims Legal Service

About this role

• Full time or part time maximum term position up to 30 June 2026
• Salary range: $113,668 - $131,153 (pro rata) plus super plus salary packaging
• Up to $15,900 in salary packaging and hybrid WFH & office model

About the role
This position operates within the Victims Legal Service (VLS), a collaborative initiative of the Victorian legal assistance sector. As a senior advocate, provide high quality legal services including legal advice, duty lawyer services, complex casework, representation, negotiation, dispute resolution and referrals on behalf of clients, primarily in complex civil matters with a focus on victims of crime, including sexual assault, in matters relating to their rights in protecting confidential communications during court proceedings, compensation, restitution and financial assistance, and a range of ancillary legal matters in the family, criminal and/or civil law jurisdictions.

The position will work with our VLS partners and across VLA to ensure key service requirements are met, appropriate referrals are made and assist the sector to better meet victims' needs.

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

About you
As our ideal candidate, you will possess:

• A current unrestricted Australian practising certificate which entitles you to practise in Victoria as a government legal practitioner.
• Entitled to practise in federal courts and courts exercising federal jurisdiction (entry on the High Court's Register of Practitioners).
• LIV Accredited Specialisation or equivalent further study or significant legal practice experience in victims of crime law.
• Substantial knowledge and extensive experience in the practice of civil matters (particularly victims of crime matters), including strong advocacy experience and the preparation of complex litigation, particularly in victims of crime matters.
• Demonstrated ability to identify and provide strategic advice on legal and policy issues.

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
• 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 Catherine Hemingway, Associate Director – Equality Law on (03) 9269 0516 or recruitment@vla.vic.gov.au.

No agency applications will be accepted.

Applications close by 11.59pm on Monday 8 December 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.