• Full time ongoing positions (part time considered)
• Salary commensurate with experience, VLA5 range: $117,625 - $149,704, or VLA 6 range: $149,705 - $172,207 plus super
• Attractive employee benefits including salary packaging
  

About the role:

Victoria Legal Aid's (VLA) Chambers is an in-house chambers with over 20 specialist counsel in criminal law, family and children's law, and civil law. We appear for legally aided clients in all jurisdictions across Victoria, provide high quality advocacy and advice services to in house lawyers and are committed to the highest standards of advocacy.

Reporting to the Chief Counsel, you will appear as counsel predominately in criminal and some civil and human rights litigation in various courts and tribunals across Victoria including but not limited to; the County and Supreme Courts, and the Court of Appeal. Our Senior Public Defenders appear as required in our most complex cases in the higher courts, including in appeals to the Court of Appeal and High Court. Both roles provide expert and high level legal advice in a range of criminal matters and law reform issues. They also assist in developing the advocacy expertise of our criminal lawyers through mentoring and contributing to our advocacy training programs.

These positions provide the opportunity to work within a dedicated and highly skilled team, and to use your advocacy expertise to contribute to quality legal practice in both Melbourne and regional areas.

About you:

You are an experienced criminal law trial advocate with substantial knowledge and experience in the practice of criminal law, particularly in indictable matters across both state and federal jurisdictions. You consistently produce high quality oral and written advocacy, appear in complex litigation, and provide high level advice on legal and policy issues. You demonstrate a commitment to working collaboratively with others and foster a supportive learning environment in your mentoring and training of criminal lawyers, as you help develop their advocacy skills.

Crucial to your success will be your passion for advocating for clients, and ability to develop strong relationships and communicate effectively with clients and stakeholders at all levels.

About Victoria Legal Aid:

Our vision is for a fair and just society where rights and responsibilities are upheld. With over 800 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. We also provide legal representation to those who need it most.

Employee benefits:

We offer attractive employment benefits including salary packaging (making part of your salary tax-free), flexible working arrangements under a hybrid work model, family friendly policies and opportunities for professional development. Whilst the work is challenging, you will be rewarded with a culture that is focused on achieving quality outcomes for disadvantaged Victorians.

How to apply:

Submit a current resume and completed candidate application form (listed within the file attachments as a Word document). You must complete the candidate application form to be considered for this role, separate responses to the KSC outlined in the position description are not required. Please also include the contact details of two referees.

VLA employees are required to comply with the directions of the Victorian Chief Health Officer and therefore must be vaccinated against COVID-19. It is also 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.

For further information review the attached position description or contact Julia Munster on (03) 9269 0694.

No agency applications will be accepted.

A position description is attached.