• 1x Full time ongoing position
• Salary range: $104,925 - $122,409 plus super plus salary packaging
• Up to $15,900 in salary packaging and hybrid WFH & office model

About the role

The Therapeutic Courts team is seeking an experienced criminal lawyer to provide high-quality legal services and act as an advocate for clients on Drug and Alcohol Treatment Orders. As a Senior Lawyer, you will have carriage of complex criminal casework, provide duty lawyer services, mentor junior lawyers, and contribute to policy development to improve access to justice for vulnerable individuals.

This presents an exciting opportunity for an experienced criminal lawyer looking to develop their leadership and mentoring skills whilst contributing to the strategic direction of the program focused on improving services provided to priority clients.

This role is based at our Melbourne CBD office on Wurundjeri Country.

About you

As our ideal candidate, you will possess:

• Significant knowledge and practical experience in the law and relevant court procedures, predominantly in criminal law and therapeutic justice related matters
• Effective casework, dispute resolution and advocacy skills
• Previous experience supervising junior lawyers, with a genuine interest in taking on a mentoring role
• High-level interpersonal skills, including the ability to form productive professional relationships and communicate effectively with clients and stakeholders at all levels
• A current unrestricted Australian practising certificate which entitles you to practise in Victoria as a government legal practitioner (mandatory).

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 Victoria Legal Aid

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
• 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 (listed within the file attachments).

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 Sawant, Managing Lawyer on (03) 9280 3918 or [email protected] using the subject line: Senior Lawyer - Drug and Alcohol Treatment Court enquiry via EthicalJobs.

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.

A position description is attached.