Deputy Chief Counsel, VLA Chambers

About this role

• Full time or part time ongoing position
• Salary range: $192,015 - $214,082 plus super
• Up to $15,900 in salary packaging, flexible hybrid work arrangement

About the role
VLA Chambers is a specialist group of in-house advocates led by Chief Counsel Julia Munster.

Our team is made up of barristers and solicitor advocates who are briefed by lawyers from VLA, VALS, Djirra, CLCs and private firms to provide high quality representation and advice to legally aided clients.

Chambers advocates also undertake strategic litigation, policy and law reform work and train, support and mentor lawyers across Victoria to develop advocacy and practice skills.

The Deputy Chief Counsel is a new key leadership role in VLA Chambers which will work in close collaboration with senior internal and external leaders and stakeholders. Together with the Chief Counsel and the Associate Director, Chambers, this role will focus on:

• Ensuring VLA Chambers provides high quality specialist advocacy services to legally aided clients and advice, training and mentoring to the broader legal assistance sector.
• Providing senior leadership to VLA Chambers and across VLA, including on organisational, policy and law reform issues; supporting the service delivery and strategic priorities of our Criminal Law, Civil Justice and Family, Youth and Children's Law programs; and in the development of systems, skills and support for high quality advocacy.
• Playing a pivotal role in practice development and improvement.
• Leading the strategic development and implementation of policies, projects and practices within VLA Chambers and across VLA
• Appearing as lead counsel for legally aided clients and providing high quality advocacy in complex and strategically significant litigation in the superior courts.

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 barrister, government legal practitioner or principal of a law practice.
• Entitlement to practise in federal courts and courts exercising federal jurisdiction (entry on the High Court's Register of Practitioners).
• Extensive and significant advocacy experience and technical skills, including experience appearing unled in complex trials in the County and Supreme Courts (or equivalent federal courts).
• Experience in a senior leadership role, including leading and managing high performing barristers or solicitor advocates and leading strategic litigation.
• Demonstrated experience working with clients with complex needs.

Don't meet every requirement? At VLA, we understand that your work and life experiences can be just as valuable. If your CV doesn't align perfectly with our job description, we strongly encourage you to apply. You may be just the right candidate.

About VLA
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

• A focus on work-life balance, including flexible working arrangements
• Hybrid work from home and office model 
• Generous leave benefits, including:
  • Three days paid seasonal leave (to be taken between Boxing Day and New Year's Day public holidays)
  • Paid gender affirmation leave
  • Five days both paid reproductive and fertility leave per calendar year
• Annual 3% salary increase each December plus performance-related salary incentives
• Attractive salary packaging options including General Expenses up to $15,900, Meals & Entertainment up to $2,650 PLUS Novated Leasing
• Discounted annual Myki public transport passes
• Individual learning and professional development opportunities, tailored to your role and career goals
• Free annual flu vaccinations
• Access to gym and end-of-trip facilities at our CBD office
• Access to our Employee Assistance Program, including confidential counselling and access to a range of mental health and wellbeing resources.

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 Madeline Ryan, Associate Director, Chambers on (03) 9269 0482 or Renee Rao, Recruitment and Retention Consultant on recruitment@vla.vic.gov.au or Julia Munster, Chief Counsel - Chambers on Julia.Munster@vla.gov.com.au (currently on leave but will respond).

No agency applications will be accepted.

Applications close by 11.59pm on Sunday 24 May 2026.

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.