Managing Lawyer

Full Time 12-Month Fixed Term Contract

Join a Not-For-Profit organisation making a difference in the community

12-Month Fixed Term Contract

Generous leave options and salary packaging available

The Managing Lawyer – Family Violence and Family Law leads a multidisciplinary legal team to deliver high-quality, client-centred legal services and strategic program coordination across the Barwon region.

Our client Barwon Community Legal Service is a community legal centre that provides free legal information, advice, and casework to members of the local community, with a culture of supportiveness, positive change, integrity and empathy. The successful candidate will have strong leadership and supervision experience, with deep expertise in family law and family violence matters desirable but not essential. They will bring a commitment to social justice and the ability to deliver high-quality, trauma-informed legal services in a dynamic, client-focused environment.

What you will do:

This position is responsible for the coordination, supervision, and operational oversight of our Family Law and Family Violence legal programs and supports a team of lawyers and legal staff delivering services across the Barwon region. They oversee day-to-day operations, including rostering, service coordination, and supervision, while also managing their own complex legal matters and court appearances. This role involves ensuring high standards of legal practice, contributing to service development, and building strong partnerships with community organisations.

This role is responsible for:

Leading and supervising a legal team delivering family law and family violence services, including mentoring, performance management, ensuring compliance with professional obligations and oversight of advice, casework and court appearances.

Managing day-to-day operations of the Family Law/Family Violence program, including rostering, legal service scheduling, and coordinating duty lawyer services.

High level casework as needed, within capacity and in collaboration with the Principal Lawyer

Driving service quality and compliance, ensuring legal work meets risk management and accreditation standards, and contributing to service improvement initiatives.

Participate in strategic planning, policy development, and cross-team collaboration.

Collaborating across programs and the sector, including participating in community legal education, law reform, and building partnerships with community agencies.

To be successful in this role you will have:

Required legal qualifications, with at least 6 years post admission experience

Proven ability to lead and manage teams through demonstrated capability in supervision, mentoring, rostering, performance management, and leading team culture.

An understanding of family law and family violence practice is a plus, including experience in delivering legal services, court advocacy, and managing complex casework in this area.

Commitment to social justice and client-centred practice through an empathetic, trauma-informed approach to working with vulnerable clients and communities.

Strong organisational and communication skills through managing competing priorities, delivering clear guidance, and ensuring service quality across multiple programs.

What we are looking for:

A collaborative leader who can foster a positive team culture, participate in organisational leadership, and work effectively with peers across programs.

An experienced service coordinator who is able to manage scheduling, resource allocation, and service delivery logistics for a busy legal team.

A high-quality legal practitioner with capability to supervise legal work to ensure professional and ethical standards are maintained across advice and casework.

A systems-thinker and problem solver who brings initiative and strategic thinking to improving internal processes, legal outcomes, and client services.

A sector-engaged advocate committed to contributing to law reform, community development, and building external partnerships to enhance impact.

How to apply:

If you would like more information about this exciting role, please email [email protected]

We look forward to receiving your application.

BCLS is committed to child safety. We have zero tolerance of child abuse.

BCLS is an inclusive employer. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, members of the LGBTQIA+ community and people with culturally diverse backgrounds are encouraged to apply.

Please note:

1. We respectfully ask you do not contact Barwon Community Legal Service directly so they can attend to their daily workload.

2. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted throughout the recruitment campaign.