• Full time ongoing position / maximum term position up to 12 months (part time applications considered)
• Salary range: $104,925 - $122,409 plus super
• Up to $15,900 in salary packaging, flexible hybrid work arrangement and relocation support may be available

About the role

Make a difference acting as an advocate by providing expert legal advice and conducting casework in complex civil law matters. As a Senior Lawyer in the Mental Health and Disability Law team, you will be appearing in various courts and tribunals to effectively advocate for clients with civil and human rights issues, with a focus on mental health and disability law. You will also contribute to projects aimed at improving access to justice and delivering consumer-centred, trauma-informed legal services.

The role will also involve mentoring and training junior lawyers in civil law. You will also contribute to and support professional legal education and civil law training programs.

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

About you

As our ideal candidate, you will possess:

• Substantial knowledge and experience in civil law and relevant court procedures, with a focus on mental health and disability law.
• Knowledge of law reform, strategic advocacy and service design initiatives in relation to civil law issues
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, and experience working with diverse clients.
• The ability to assist in supervising, mentoring and training junior lawyers in civil law.
• A current Australian practising certificate which entitles you to practise in Victoria as a government legal practitioner/principal of a law practice.

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 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 click "Apply Now" and submit your current resume and a cover letter focusing on the key selection criteria below. Please keep your cover letter to two – three pages.

• KSC 2 - Substantial knowledge or practical experience in civil law and relevant court and tribunal procedures, with a focus on mental health and disability law highly desirable.
• KSC 3 - Ability to contribute to law reform, strategic advocacy and service design initiatives in relation to civil law issues.
• KSC 4 - Strong communication skills and experience working with people who come from a range of backgrounds, including culturally and linguistically diverse communities, people with disability, people experiencing mental health issues and people experiencing social or economic disadvantage.
• KSC 5 - Ability to supervise, mentor and train staff and contribute to the development of individuals and their knowledge and skills in civil law.

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 Will Tucker, Managing Lawyer on (03) 9767 7159 or [email protected] using the subject line: Senior Lawyer - Mental Health and Disability Law 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.