• Full time maximum term position up to 12 months
• Salary based on experience, range: $97,922 - $122,400 plus super
• Attractive employee benefits including salary packaging and hybrid WFH & office model

About the role:

Make a difference acting as an advocate by providing expert legal advice and conduct casework in complex civil law matters. You will be required to appear as a senior lawyer in various courts and tribunals to effectively advocate for clients with civil and human rights issues, focusing on mental health and disability.

You will have a thorough understanding of issues impacting the justice system, and will use this knowledge to assist in the supervision and mentoring of staff, and contribute to professional legal education by assisting in the development and delivery of civil law training programs.

About you:

As our ideal candidate, you will possess:

• Substantial knowledge and experience in civil law and relevant court procedures, with a strong focus on mental health and disability law
• Ability to assist in supervising and mentoring staff working in the area of civil law and contribute to professional legal education by assisting in the development and delivery of civil law training programs.
• High level interpersonal skills, including the ability to form productive professional relationships and the ability to communicate effectively with stakeholders and clients at all levels.
• Keep up to date with relevant legal developments and procedures by attending VLA's professional legal education program and maintain an understanding of issues impacting the justice system.

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 provide legal representation to those who need it most. With over 1000 staff employed in 15 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)

How to apply:

To be considered for this role, click 'Apply Now' to submit a current resume and completed candidate application form (listed within the file attachments).

If you require adjustment to the recruitment and selection process or need an alternative format to any of the application material, please don't hesitate to email [email protected] using the subject line: Senior Lawyer - Mental Health & Disability Law enquiry via EthicalJobs.

For further information review the attached position description or contact Nadeesha Mapa, Managing Lawyer on (03) 9269 0320.

No agency applications will be accepted.

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.

An application form and position description is attached.