Family Lawyer

About this role

• 1x full time ongoing position
• 1x maximum term position up to 12 months (parental leave coverage)
• Salary range: $90,871 - $104,924 plus super
• Up to $15,900 in salary packaging, flexible hybrid work arrangement

About the role
In this role, you will provide high quality legal services in the Outer-eastern suburbs region including duty lawyer services, casework and advice services relating to family law and family violence intervention order matters. This will include provision of legal information, advice and casework, either by appointment, phone or teleconference and outreach visiting services. 

This role will involve regular court appearances presenting an excellent opportunity to further develop your advocacy skills. You will also be expected to contribute to the development of strategies to improve client services and actively participate in community legal education projects.

We have two available positions:

• 1x full time ongoing position
• 1x parental leave maximum term position up to 12 months

The Ringwood Office is one of VLA's largest metropolitan offices, providing services to Heidelberg and Ringwood Magistrates Courts, the Mental Health Review Tribunal, and various outreach services. The office is home to approximately 65 staff members and enjoys an excellent workplace culture.

This role is based at our Ringwood office on Wurundjeri Country.

About you
As our ideal candidate, you will possess:

• A proven ability to act as an advocate, deliver legal advice, and conduct casework in family violence, family law, and/or child protection.
• Knowledge or practical experience in relevant law and procedure, particularly in family violence, family law, and/or child protection.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to liaise effectively with clients, staff, and external stakeholders.
• A current Australian practising certificate which entitles you to practise in Victoria as a government legal practitioner (mandatory).
• Entitled to practise in federal courts and courts exercising federal jurisdiction (entry on the High Court's Register of Practitioners). 

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 & 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 
• Individual learning and professional development opportunities, tailored to your role and career goals
• Free annual flu vaccinations
• 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.

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 Sonia Jolley, Deputy Managing Lawyer on (03) 9259 5444 or recruitment@vla.vic.gov.au.

No agency applications will be accepted. 

Applications close by 11.59pm on Sunday 31 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.