This position can be based in either our Melbourne (Preston) office or Shepparton. However should the applicant request to be based in Melbourne - frequent travel to Shepparton will be required.

VALS is dedicated to providing a flexible, comfortable and energetic work environment for all of our employees.

Overview:

The Practice Manager for Balit Ngulu team works to achieve VALS’ goals and objectives. The role coordinates and delivers a range of projects, policy and law reform initiatives, strategic litigation work, and community and professional legal education programs. The purpose of the role is to provide high quality legal services, including duty lawyer services, representation, advice and information in criminal law matters to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander youth in Melbourne metropolitan area and Shepparton and its neighbouring areas such as Echuca and Bendigo City.

The position also manages the day to day functioning of the Balit Ngulu program.

What A Day as A Practice Managing Lawyer Looks Like:

• Plan and deliver a quality legal service for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander youth in Melbourne metropolitan area and Shepparton and its neighbouring areas at various courts including the Children’s Court Criminal Division and Children’s Koori Courts in order to represent clients of Balit Ngulu Legal Service.
• Supervise, manage, and mentor staff and contribute to the organisation through professional legal education and training
• Effectively manage the legal practice unit, including coordinating case-planning meetings
• Appear as a senior advocate in various courts in order to represent clients of Balit Ngulu Legal Services.
• Participate in community legal education projects, law and policy reform and other Balit Ngulu Legal Service projects as required
• Liaise with Government and non-Government organisations on legal issues relevant to Phase Four of Burra Lotjpa Dunguludja, the Aboriginal Justice Agreement (AJA)
• Contribute to, and participate in, the collaborative relationship between Victoria Legal Aid, Aboriginal community-controlled organisations, Community Legal Centres and other community organisations with whom Balit Ngulu Legal Services interacts
• Keep up to date with relevant legal developments and procedures by attending professional legal education programs and maintaining an understanding of issues impacting members of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Youth Communities
• You will be required to undertake some travel within Victoria to deliver services to Aboriginal youth within the service locations of the program. Sometimes this travel will occur outside of usual business hours.
• Other duties as required

Key Selection Criteria

• Be eligible to obtain a Principal Practicing Certificate
• Ability to work with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and acknowledge their diverse backgrounds, personalities and varying needs and the unique cultural ways in which they may be expressed
• Ability to supervise, mentor and train staff and contribute to the development of individuals and their knowledge and skills
• Comprehensive understanding of the youth justice issues facing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Communities, including in respect of child protection and the Aboriginal placement principle.

Desirable

• A minimum of five-years post-admission experience in Civil Law, Criminal Law or Youth Law
• A member, or eligible to be a member, of Victoria Legal Aid’s Youth Crime Subset practitioner panel
• An LIV Accredited Specialist (Children’s Law, Criminal Law or Family Law)
• Experience working in the non-profit sector.

Qualifications – Required.

1. Admitted, or eligible for admission, as a legal practitioner in Victoria