• 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

VLA is seeking a Senior Lawyer to join our Bendigo team. In this role, you will provide high-quality legal services, including court advocacy, complex casework, and legal advice in criminal law and family violence matters. You'll represent clients in various courts, including the Magistrates' Court of Victoria the Children's Court, and the County Court ensuring they receive fair legal representation.

You will also have the opportunity to supervise, mentor and train junior lawyers, supporting their professional growth. Please note that a willingness to travel for court appearances and community outreach is required.

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

About you

As our ideal candidate, you will possess:

• Solid experience in criminal law and family violence cases, with a proven track record of effective advocacy.
• Understanding of court procedures and the laws related to criminal law and family violence is essential.
• Exceptional interpersonal skills, with the capacity to communicate clearly and empathetically with clients facing social and economic disadvantages, as well as effectively engaging with colleagues and stakeholders.
• Experience supervising and mentoring junior staff, with a commitment to their professional growth and development 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 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: Senior 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.