• 3x full time ongoing positions
• Salary range: $104,925 - $131,153 plus super
• Up to $15,900 in salary packaging, flexible hybrid work arrangement

About the role

Join Victoria Legal Aid's Dandenong team and deliver expert criminal and family violence legal services across the Westernport region.

We're recruiting for three senior lawyers, at Work Value Range 4.1 or 4.2 (depending on skills and experience) through a single, integrated process. Apply once to be considered for the level that best aligns with your experience and strengths.

What you'll do

As a Senior Lawyer (4.1) (Salary range: $104,925 - $122,409), you will:

• Deliver high-quality legal services in criminal law, family violence and intervention order matters
• Supervise and mentor junior lawyers and contribute to team capability
• Build strong relationships with local courts, agencies, and community partners

As an Expert Senior Lawyer (4.2) (salary range: $113,668 - $131,153), you'll do all the above plus:

• Provide technical leadership and advanced advocacy in complex criminal and family violence matters
• Supervise and support other senior lawyers across the region
• Lead strategic legal initiatives and contribute to practice development and systemic advocacy

This role is based at our Dandenong office on Bunurong Country.

About the Dandenong office

The Dandenong team is the largest regional VLA office providing legal services across criminal law, family violence, child protection, youth crime, family and civil law.  A large team of Independent Mental Health Advocates and an Independent Family Advocate are based in the region. Legal services are provided across two Magistrates' Courts (Dandenong and Moorabbin), the Specialist Children's Court (Dandenong), the Drug Court, the Mental Health Tribunal, the AAT, VCAT and the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia. The City of Greater Dandenong local government area is the most culturally diverse community in Australia, with residents from over 150 birth places and over 60% of its population born overseas.  

About you

As our ideal candidate, you will possess:

• Experience in complex criminal law and family violence intervention order matters, including casework and advocacy in local courts and tribunals.
• Excellent interpersonal skills, with the ability to communicate effectively with clients who are socially and economically disadvantaged, as well as with colleagues and external stakeholders.
• Ability to supervise, mentor, and train junior staff, helping them develop their skills in criminal law and family violence matters.
• 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 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
• Individual learning and professional development opportunities, tailored to your role and career goals
• Free annual flu vaccinations
• Access to our Employee Assistance Program, including confidential counselling and access to a range of mental health and wellbeing resources.

How to apply

To submit your application, please click 'Apply Now' by 11.59pm on the closing date.

To be considered for this role, please submit your current resume and a cover letter and nominate which role(s) you are applying for.

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 Ozgur Celik, Deputy Managing Lawyer on (03) 9767 7111 or [email protected] using the subject line: Senior Lawyers x3 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.

Two position descriptions are attached.