APPLICATIONS CLOSE WEDNESDAY 13 AUGUST 2025.

ABOUT US

Loftgood Legal are a Geelong based law firm working in the criminal and intervention order areas.

As a workplace we value inclusion, compassion, integrity, and accountability.

Loftgood Legal performs work predominantly in the summary jurisdiction, assisting private and legal aid clients with criminal and intervention order matters. Loftgood Legal is on Legal Aid's Family Violence, Summary Crime, and Youth Crime subset Panels.

ABOUT YOU

Duties and key selection criteria for this role are included in the Position Description (attached).

You are, first and foremost, organised, enthusiastic, motivated, and compassionate. In aligning to our values, you care for our clients' outcomes and positively contribute to Loftgood Legal's reputation.

The position is based in Geelong but will require travel to other court locations around Victoria as required.

You will be admitted to practice, ideally have between 2 and 4 years PAE (all applicants will be considered) and be capable of working both independently and as part of a small team.

If you are so interested - you will be supported to appear and develop as an advocate in contested matters – including bail applications and contested hearings.

FLEXIBLE WORK

Loftgood Legal values flexible work practices. Our experience has demonstrated that flexible ways of working benefit our practice, our employees and our clients. We understand that how we balance life and work commitments is unique to each of us.

While the role does require daily court appearances, there is flexibility in when and where you work outside those times.

Please let us know your flexibility and adjustment needs and we will work with you to balance the needs of the role requirements with your needs.

WORKPLACE ADJUSTMENTS

If you have particular needs or responsibilities (care giving, mental or physical health, disability, cultural considerations) then you will be supported to ensure work has the least possible impact.

If you are comfortable in doing so, please raise the need\responsibility in your application so that we can discuss ways to accommodate you to succeed from the beginning.

Position description:

Position title: Lawyer

Reports to: Principal Lawyer Alexander Loftgood

Directly manages: Nil

Pay: Starting $75,000 - $80,000 per annum including superannuation with regular pay reviews.

Date: 30 July 2025.

Position objectives:

As a lawyer at Loftgood Legal you will play a critical role by providing advice and representation to clients charged with criminal offences and those involved in intervention orders.

The preferred candidate will:

• Independently manage their own case load,

• Provide expert advice to client's charged with criminal offences and those involved in intervention orders,

• Appear in Court and advocate on behalf of those clients,

• Have a robust understanding of criminal law, evidence, criminal procedure, family violence and personal safety legislation,

• Conduct negotiations with the Victoria Police to advance our client's interests,

• Obtain and review briefs of evidence, identify relevant disclosure material, obtain same and critically analyse and review to identify factual or legal issues,

• Organise and maintain relevant file notes for all matters,

• Perform required administrative tasks including case management, client correspondence and other matters – either supported by administrative assistance or without,

• Brief and assist Loftgood Legal's administrative employees to ensure they are effectively able to perform their roles,

• Understand Victoria Legal Aid's relevant tests (merit & means) and be able to assess and apply the tests to files and clients,

• Adhere to Loftgood Legal's values,

• Behave ethically at all times,

• Strive to always advance their own and Loftgood Legal's professional reputation,

The position is based in Geelong but will necessitate travel to other court locations as required therefore a drivers licence and vehicle will be required.

Valid unrestricted Victorian driver's licence and reliable personal vehicle required for court travel

Key selection criteria:

Qualifications: NAME / Practicing certificate

Current admission as an Australian Legal Practitioner and valid Victorian Practising Certificate required

• Experience and capability in appearing in Court on behalf of clients,

• Experience in dealing with criminal law and the law relating to intervention orders, including (but not limited to); Criminal Procedure Act, Evidence Act, Crimes Act, Summary Offences Act, Drugs Poisons and Controlled Substances Act, Firearms Act, Control of Weapons Act, Sentencing Act, Family Violence Protection Act, Personal Safety Intervention Orders Act, Magistrate's Court Act.

• Demonstrated interpersonal skills including a capacity to work independently and collaboratively to build partnerships with a diverse range of external stakeholders.

• Demonstrated organisational skills with the appropriate administration skills to be able to meet deadlines under conflicting pressures while being committed to meeting court and client expectations.

• Demonstrated attention to detail with the ability to produce quality work.

• Demonstrated problem solving skills,

• Demonstrated ability to deliver quality and timely client services.

• Demonstrated ability to engage, inspire, convince, influence and negotiate with key stakeholders in the pursuit and achievement of specific objectives.

• Experience with Victoria Legal Aid's billing system, including ATLAS, as well as legal practice management software (Smokeball) will be of assistance.

• The selected applicant will be asked to complete a national police check & provide their employee working with children check.

Successful candidates must obtain and maintain: Current Working with Children Check (Employee), National Police Check (within 3 months), and Legal Aid Panel certification

If you don't meet all the key selection criteria, we still encourage you to apply!

Conflict Check

The nature of our work involves dealing with confidential and sensitive information on behalf of our clients. We expect that our employees take that responsibility seriously and will act with a high level of propriety in all aspects of their respective roles.

We require that potential employees disclose matters which may impact upon their ability to perform their role without undue influence, or which may lead to the impression impropriety or partiality. Examples of relevant matters to disclose include whether a person known to you has been incarcerated or works in law enforcement, the Courts or within another role in Criminal Law. Any disclosure made in accordance with this requirement will be treated with the utmost confidence by our hiring managers.

If you would like to have a confidential discussion about this role please contact:

NAME Alexander Loftgood

NUMBER 0456 435 166

EMAIL [email protected]