Court Services Victoria provides corporate services and facilities to support the performance of the judicial, quasi-judicial and administrative functions of Victoria’s courts and tribunal, Judicial College and Judicial Commission.

Collectively, Victoria’s Supreme, County, Magistrates’, Children’s, and Coroners courts, the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT), the Judicial College of Victoria, the Judicial Commission of Victoria, and Court Services Victoria (CSV) are referred to as the ‘Courts Group’.

Our people enable the Courts Group to deliver on individual and connected strategic priorities.

The Legal and Governance team within the Office of General Counsel at CSV is an in-house lawyer team providing expert legal, compliance and governance advice on a wide range of issues across CSV.

About the role

Offered on a full-time ongoing basis with flexible working arrangements in Melbourne CBD, the Senior Lawyer role reports directly to the Manager, Legal and Governance. The role requires an adaptable and collaborative person with skills in relevant areas of law, including public law, administrative law and litigation and a proven commitment to delivering high quality work within a complex operating environment.

Key accountabilities include:

• Providing authoritative, timely and practical legal advice and services across the Courts Group in a wide range of legal areas including public law, administrative law and statutory interpretation.
• Effectively managing complaints, disputes, and litigation matters.
• Performing legal research and analysis.
• Drafting cogent, accurate, and complex legal opinions.
• Ensuring compliance with CSV’s legislative obligations including in relation to freedom of information, privacy and integrity.
• Reviewing and advising on policies and procedures.
• Drafting, negotiating and reviewing a broad range of legal documents including commercial contracts, property agreements and MOUs.
• Remaining informed regarding contemporary developments in the law, updating internal resources and templates and preparing briefing documents as required.
• Supporting the Manager, Legal and Governance, and General Counsel.
• Actively supervising and mentoring junior lawyers in the team.

About you

• Bachelor of Laws or equivalent legal qualification from a recognised tertiary institution
• Victorian practising certificate (or eligibility to acquire a practising certificate)
• Proven experience providing high quality legal advice and services within a government context.
• Substantial experience in one or more of statutory interpretation, administrative/public law and litigation.
• Experience in areas of law relevant to CSV such as commercial law, public and administrative law, anti- discrimination law, employment/workplace relations/OH&S, or Crown land management/leasing will be highly regarded.
• Highly developed research, statutory interpretation, analytical and communication skills.

Other information

CSV is the employer of staff across the Courts Group. CSV has a firm commitment through its Koori Employment Plan to increase participation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people across our workforce.

We value the unique backgrounds, experiences, and contributions that each person brings to our community and encourage and celebrate diversity. Those from the LGBTQIA+ community, women, people of all ages, with disabilities, culturally and linguistically diverse people, and those who are neurodiverse, are encouraged to apply.

We aim to create a workforce that reflects the community in which we live.

If you require adjustments to the recruitment and selection process or require an alternative format to any of the application material, please don't hesitate to email the contact person listed in the advertisement.

A position description is attached.