• Full-time ongoing position (part time applications considered)
• Salary range: $98,902 - $123,624 (pro rata) plus super plus salary packaging
• Up to $15,900 in salary packaging and hybrid WFH & office model

About the role

As a Senior Lawyer, you will coordinate duty lawyer and casework services for Assessment and Referral Court (ARC). You'll provide expert legal advice and represent clients, especially those with mental illness, intellectual disabilities, acquired brain injuries, or neurological impairments. You will work on developing policies to improve our services and build strong relationships with stakeholders in the justice system.

Additionally, you'll also mentor, supervise, and train junior lawyers to help them build their skills and knowledge.

This role is based at our Ballarat office on Wadawurrung and Dja Dja Wurrung Country.

About you

As our ideal candidate, you will:

• Bring experience in criminal law and advocacy, particularly in handling complex cases.
• Have experience working with clients who have mental illness, intellectual disabilities, acquired brain injuries, or neurological impairments, and approach these situations with empathy and understanding.
• Communicate effectively and build positive relationships with clients, colleagues, and community partners.
• Have a passion for mentoring and training staff, helping them develop their skills and confidence.
• A current Australian practising certificate that entitles you to practice 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 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 Ballarat

Ballarat is a vibrant regional city in Victoria, known for its rich history, stunning architecture, and strong community spirit. Just over an hour from Melbourne, it offers a mix of urban amenities and beautiful parks, making it an ideal place to live and work. Enjoy a balanced lifestyle with a thriving arts scene, diverse dining options, and a welcoming atmosphere.

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
• Relocation allowance if relocating for the role

How to apply

To be considered for this role, please submit your current resume and a cover letter that addresses the following:

• Your interest in the role and location
• Your experience working with individuals diagnosed with mental illness, intellectual disabilities, acquired brain injuries, or neurological impairments.

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 via [email protected] using the subject line: Senior Lawyer - Ballarat enquiry via EthicalJobs.

For further information, please review the attached position description or contact Gemma McInerney, Deputy Managing Lawyer on (03) 5329 6290 or [email protected].

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.