• Full time ongoing position (part-time applications considered)
• Salary range: $87,799 - $98,901 (pro rata) plus super plus salary packaging
• Up to $15,900 in salary packaging and hybrid WFH & office model

About the role

We are seeking a dedicated Lawyer to join our team. Reporting to the Deputy Managing Lawyer, you will provide high-quality legal services, including court advocacy, casework, and legal advice, with a focus on criminal law and family violence cases.

In this role, you'll represent clients in various courts, including the Magistrates' Court of Victoria and the Children's Court, ensuring they receive fair and effective legal representation. You will conduct casework, offer legal information to clients in custody, and engage in community legal education and law reform projects. Please note that travel to different courts and outreach services will be part of your responsibilities.

This role is based at our Bendigo office on Dja Dja Wurrung Country.

About you

As our ideal candidate, you will possess:

• Ability to act as an advocate, delivering legal advice and casework while effectively negotiating and resolving disputes on behalf of clients.
• Relevant experience in criminal law, family violence, or other legal aid practice areas, with a solid understanding of applicable laws and procedures.
• High-level interpersonal and communication skills that enable you to engage effectively with clients, colleagues, and external stakeholders, ensuring clear and empathetic interactions.
• Ability to work collaboratively within a team, fostering a supportive and cooperative environment that encourages professional growth.
• A current Australian practising certificate that allows you to work as a government legal practitioner in Victoria (mandatory).

Don't meet every requirement? At VLA, we understand that your work and life experiences can be just as valuable. If you're excited about this role but your CV doesn't align perfectly with our job description, we encourage you to apply anyway. You may be just the right candidate for this or one of our many other opportunities.

About Victoria Legal Aid

We provide legal representation to those who need it most. With over 1300 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

• Focus on work-life balance including flexible working arrangements
• Hybrid work from home & office model
• Training and professional development opportunities
• Excellent salary packaging options including General Expenses up to $15,900, Meals & Entertainment up to $2,650 and Novated Leasing
• Access to discounted Private Health Insurance

How to apply

To be considered for this role, please submit your current resume and a completed candidate application form (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 Anna Howard, Regional Manager on (03) 5448 2306 or [email protected] using the subject line: Lawyer - Bendigo 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.