• 3x full time ongoing positions (part-time considered)
• Up to $15,900 in salary packaging and hybrid WFH & office model
• Flexible location: Morwell or Bairnsdale office

About the role

Join the Gippsland team at Victoria Legal Aid (VLA) and play an important role in providing high-quality legal services to clients. You'll have the chance to lead, mentor, and work on complex cases in criminal law and therapeutic courts, including our regional County Courts.

We have the following roles available:

• 1x Senior Lawyer (ARC) - You will coordinate and deliver VLA duty lawyer and casework services for the Assessment and Referral Court (ARC). This includes providing legal advice and representation for clients with mental health issues, intellectual disabilities, acquired brain injuries, or neurological impairments. You will supervise and mentor staff in ARC matters and contribute to improving the accessibility of justice for vulnerable clients.
• 2x Senior Lawyers (Crime) - You will provide high-quality legal services in criminal law and family violence intervention order matters. This includes conducting complex casework and appearing as a senior advocate in various courts. You will also supervise and mentor junior lawyers, providing guidance on best practices in criminal law. Experience in the Children's Court is desirable but not essential.

These roles can be based at either our Morwell or Bairnsdale offices on Gunai Kurnai Country with travel to other Gippsland locations.

About you

As our ideal candidate, you will possess:

• Experience in criminal law and advocacy, with the ability to handle complex cases.
• Ability to work with vulnerable clients, such as those with mental health issues, disabilities, or brain injuries, showing empathy and understanding.
• Great communication skills to build relationships with clients, staff, and external partners.
• Experience mentoring and supporting other staff, helping them improve their skills and confidence.
• A commitment to social justice, with a passion for improving services and access to justice for vulnerable communities.
• 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 Gippsland

Discover Gippsland, where career growth meets quality living. With its breathtaking landscapes and vibrant communities, Gippsland offers diverse job opportunities across industries. Enjoy a lower cost of living, cultural richness, and proximity to both nature and city life. Embrace a fulfilling professional journey and a balanced lifestyle in Gippsland's welcoming communities.

About Victoria Legal Aid

We provide legal representation to those who need it most. With over 1400 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 click "Apply now" and submit your current resume and a completed candidate application form (listed within the file attachments once you click to our website).

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, [email protected] using the subject line: Senior Lawyers x3 - Morwell / Bairnsdale enquiry via EthicalJobs.

For further information, please review the attached position description or contact Hannah Fiddelaers, Deputy Managing Lawyer on (03) 5126 6444 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.

A position description is attached.