Rare senior civil justice leadership opportunity in Melbourne's growing West

• Based in Sunshine, servicing the Wyndham Law Courts and wider Western Metropolitan Region
• Full time, ongoing position (part time considered)
• Salary range: $101,869 - $118,844 (pro rata) plus super, plus salary packaging
• Up to $15,900 in salary packaging and hybrid WFH & office model

If you're a skilled civil lawyer looking for the next step - where your expertise can shape services, mentor emerging lawyers, and deliver life-changing outcomes for clients - this is your opportunity.

We are seeking a Senior Civil Justice Lawyer to join our Sunshine-based team and play a pivotal role in delivering high-quality, rights-based legal services to some of Victoria's most disadvantaged communities.

This is a rare chance to be at the forefront of service delivery as the new Wyndham Law Courts open in November, the largest court complex outside Melbourne's CBD, creating new pathways for integrated, people-centred justice.

In this role you will:

• Act as a senior advocate in complex civil law matters, particularly in mental health, disability, tenancy, social security, NDIS and fines.
• Appear in the Mental Health Tribunal, VCAT and other courts or tribunals as appropriate.
• Supervise, mentor and build the capability of junior lawyers in the region.
• Partner with health, social and legal services to address the intersecting needs of vulnerable clients.
• Contribute to law reform, policy advocacy, and community legal education to drive systemic change.

These roles are based at our Sunshine office on Wurundjeri Country, and provide services to the Sunshine Courts, and Wyndham Law Courts on Bunurong country.

We're looking for someone who:

• Has significant experience in civil law advocacy, negotiation and dispute resolution.
• Brings specialist knowledge in areas impacting people's fundamental rights, ideally including VCAT and Mental Health Tribunal work.
• Understands the complex barriers faced by disadvantaged communities, and can work respectfully and effectively across cultures, including with First Nations clients.
• Thrives in a collaborative environment, enjoys mentoring others, and can engage confidently with diverse stakeholders.
• Is motivated by impact - shaping not just cases, but services, systems and outcomes.

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 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.

Why join us?

• Lead with purpose: influence the delivery of civil justice in a fast-growing region.
• Grow your leadership: supervise and mentor emerging lawyers while continuing to practise at a senior level.
• Work for justice: join a values-driven organisation committed to fairness, inclusion and systemic change.
• Community connection - Priority is given to First Nations people and applicants with a strong connection to the communities we serve in Melbourne's West.

How to apply
To be considered for this role, please submit your current resume and a brief cover letter outlining why you're a great match for this role at VLA

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 our team.

For further information, please review the attached position description or contact Jessie Carter, Deputy Managing Lawyer, Sunshine on (03) 9300 5332 or [email protected].

Applications close by 11.59pm on Sunday 14 September 2025.