• Melbourne CBD
• Immediate start
• Hybrid working model
• Full time or Part time - negotiable (minimum 0.8EFT), Ongoing

About Us

For over 40 years Women’s Legal Service Victoria (Women’s Legal) has championed women’s rights to live free from violence.

We are a dedicated team with a passion for working with women and non-binary people to live free from violence and discrimination by:

• Providing high quality integrated legal services for Victorian women and non-binary people who are victim-survivors of family violence and disadvantaged or marginalised by structural and systemic barriers.
• Building the capacity of professionals who work with women and non-binary people, to better understand the law and navigate the legal system safely.
• Advancing gender equality by challenging unsafe and discriminatory policies and laws and informing and advocating for legal and policy initiatives that respect and promote the rights of women and non-binary people.

About the Role

The Lawyer will provide high quality legal advice and representation in family law (property and parenting) matters for women and non-binary people experiencing family violence and disadvantage including litigation, appearances in court (other than trials), mediation and family dispute resolution.

This includes:

• Providing duty lawyer services on a rostered basis.
• Maintaining a caseload of legal matters in family law and family violence.
• Conducting litigation files and participating in dispute resolution with strategic direction from the Managing Lawyer.
• Providing an integrated and holistic client service, working with social workers and financial counsellors, to address both legal and non-legal needs.

In addition to the above, the Senior Lawyer will conduct more complex matters as well as provide mentoring and support to other lawyers.

About You

You are a driven, motivated self-starter who works autonomously to deliver results that exceed the client's expectations. You have high attention to detail, strong communication skills and the ability to build rapport with people quickly.

Key to your success is your:

• strong understanding of family law, particularly in litigation
• passion and drive to work alongside women and non-binary people to support their rights to live free from violence
• confidence in appearance work
• excellent organisational and time management skills, and the ability to manage changing priorities
• understanding of the gendered nature and impact of family violence

You will:

• be eligible for admission to the legal profession as an Australian Legal Practitioner (unrestricted for Senior Lawyer positions)
• have a minimum of 2 years (3+ years for Senior Lawyer positions) post admission experience in family law
• have skills in a trauma informed approach to working with women and non-binary people experiencing family violence (desirable)

Why Women’s Legal?

In return for your dedication, we offer:

• Competitive remuneration
• 5 weeks annual leave, plus bonus leave between Christmas and New Year!
• Paid parental leave and reproductive health leave
• Cultural leave
• A strong commitment to your professional development, personal development, and wellbeing
• A hybrid working model and a flexible working environment that supports work/non-work balance
• NFP salary packaging benefits (up to $15,900 in tax-free pay every year) plus meal and entertainment benefits (up to $2,650 tax-free pay per year)
• Fresh fruit available in the office
• Access to our Employee Assistance Program

To apply

Submit a resume and covering letter to tell us how you are the right candidate for this role. Please ensure the cover letter addresses how you personally align to Women’s Legal values.

Enquiries

Enquiries can be emailed to Ruth McKendrick, HR Officer at [email protected] using the subject line: Lawyer / Senior Lawyer enquiry via EthicalJobs.

Equal Opportunity Employer

We recognise our work benefits greatly from the unique knowledge, skills and expertise of individuals with diverse experiences, including those with lived experience of family violence, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, women with disability and women from migrant, refugee or non-English speaking backgrounds. If this is you, we strongly encourage you to apply.

Women's Legal relies on an exception under the Equal Opportunity Act to employ women only.