Criminal law roles in VLA Chambers: Public Defender (Criminal Law), Senior Public Defender (Criminal Law)

About this role

Public Defender (Criminal Law)

• Full time or part-time ongoing position available
• Salary range: $143,076 - $166,922 (pro rata) plus super plus salary packaging

Senior Public Defender (Criminal Law)

• Full time or part-time ongoing positions available
• Salary range: $175,286 - $192,014 (pro rata) plus super plus salary packaging

About the role
Due to a recent judicial appointment and promotions, VLA Chambers is recruiting 3 experienced criminal trial and/or appellate advocates.

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.

Public Defenders (Criminal Law) provide high-quality advocacy for legally aided clients in complex criminal matters, including trials, committal proceedings, pleas, bail applications and appeals in the County and Supreme Courts, as well as quasi-criminal law matters, inquests, civil law, human rights litigation and strategic and public interest litigation.

Senior Public Defenders (Criminal Law) provide high-quality advocacy for legally aided clients in high level, complex and legally important criminal matters, including trials in the County and Supreme Courts, complex committal proceedings, bail applications, pleas and appeals including in the Court of Appeal and judicial review, as well as quasi-criminal law matters, inquests, civil law, human rights litigation and strategic and public interest litigation. 

These roles are based at our Melbourne CBD office on Wurundjeri Country. Chambers advocates may need to travel for court and tribunal appearances.

About you
As our ideal candidate, you will possess:

• A current Australian practising certificate which entitles you to practise in Victoria as a barrister or legal practitioner.
• Entitlement to practise in federal courts and courts exercising federal jurisdiction (entry on the High Court's Register of Practitioners).
• Advocacy experience. For the Public Defender role this includes experience and ability to conduct criminal trials (unled in the County Court). For the Senior Public Defender role this includes experience and ability to conduct complex trials and other hearings in the County and Supreme Courts and Court of Appeal.
• Thorough knowledge, understanding and experience in the practice of State and Federal indictable criminal law and procedure and the laws of evidence.
• Demonstrated experience working with First Peoples communities, including an understanding of First Peoples cultures, cultural protocols and self-determination, and the demonstrated ability to lead culturally safe practice, build respectful partnerships and improve outcomes for First Peoples.

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 1500+ 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
• 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.

In your cover letter, please outline why you have applied for this role/s and your relevant skills and experience. Please keep your cover letter to two pages, clearly state which role/s you are applying for (you may wish to apply for multiple), and note:

• for the Public Defender (Criminal Law): please highlight your advocacy experience appearing in trials, contested and other complex criminal law matters
• for the Senior Public Defender (Criminal Law): please highlight your trial advocacy experience in the County and Supreme Courts and your experience in appeals, judicial review, strategic litigation and other matters of complexity and legal significance.

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 Julia Kretzenbacher, Deputy Chief Counsel on (03) 9280 3891, Julia Munster, Chief Counsel on 0401 906 002 or recruitment@vla.vic.gov.au.

No agency applications will be accepted.

Applications close by 11.59pm on Sunday 18 October 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.