• 1x maximum term position up to December 2025 (full time, part time considered)
• 1x maximum term position up to August 2025 (full time, part time considered)
• Salary based on experience, range: $98,902 - $123,624 (pro rata) plus super
• Up to $15,900 in salary packaging and hybrid WFH & office model

About the role

As a Senior Lawyer, you will passionately dedicate yourself to delivering exceptional legal services that truly make a difference in the lives of others. Your commitment will shine through in the provision of duty lawyer, advice and complex casework services, with a focus on the urgent issues of sexual harassment, discrimination, equality, and human rights law (and for one role, victims of crime laws as well).

Moreover, you will play a vital role in nurturing junior legal advocates, providing guidance, training, and invaluable mentorship to a team of aspiring lawyers.

You will support the Equality Law program management team in the vital work of expanding VLA's sexual harassment discrimination law services. You will support and contribute to the broader fight for equality law and policy reform with the aim of improving laws and services to assist those most in need.

For the Senior Lawyer role up to August 2025 you will also have a focus on Victims Legal Service practice areas, applications to access confidential communications made under s 32C of the Evidence (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1958, Victims of Crime Assistance Tribunal (VOCAT), Restitution and Compensation Order (RACO) and Financial Assistance Scheme (FAS) (due to commence in 2024) matters. 

This role is based at our Melbourne CBD office on Wurundjeri Country.

About you

As our ideal candidate, you will possess:

• Experience in advocating and working as a caseworker in complex civil law matters, including knowledge of and practical experience in discrimination law, particularly sexual harassment law, as well as familiarity with relevant commissions, tribunals, and court procedures.
• Ability to oversee, mentor, and train staff while supporting the advancement of their understanding and skills in discrimination law and civil law in a broader context.
• Strong interpersonal skills, with the ability to promote a collaborative and supportive team atmosphere.
• Experience in advocating for and supporting law and policy reform changes.
• Demonstrating understanding and experience working with First Nations Australians and Torres Strait Islanders peoples.
• A current Australian practising certificate which entitles you to practise in Victoria as a government legal practitioner (mandatory).
• Entitled to practise in federal courts and courts exercising federal jurisdiction (entry on the High Court's Register of Practitioners) (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 1000 staff employed in 15 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
• Opportunity to join Myki Commuter Club(and salary package the cost)
• Supportive team environment in modern offices (including free gym and end-of-trip facilities at our CBD office)
• Access to discounted Private Health Insurance

How to apply

To be considered for this role, please submit a current resume and cover letter outlining:

• Please nominate which role you are interested in?
• An overview of, and at least one detailed example of, your knowledge and experience in practicing in complex civil law matters with a focus on discrimination law, sexual harassment and/or Victims Legal Services laws (including litigation experience)?
• Your experience in undertaking legal research (particularly in relation to equality or sexual harassment law), drafting of correspondence, legal documents and/or thought leadership pieces, and any examples you can provide?
• Your ability to supervise, mentor and train staff and contribute to the development of individuals' knowledge and skills?
• Your experience in fostering a cooperative and supportive team environment and communicating effectively with clients who are experiencing social and economic disadvantage.
• Your experience in undertaking strategic advocacy work in relation to legal and/or policy issues in equality (or VOCAT) law, including any specific examples of projects or campaigns, your involvement, and the outcome(s)?

If you require workplace 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 using the subject line: Senior Lawyers x2 enquiry via EthicalJobs.

For further information review the attached position description or contact Catherine Hemingway, Program Manager - Equality Law Program on (03) 9269 0516.

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.