Senior Public Defender (Criminal Law Judicial Review and Strategic Litigation)

Job Description

Senior Public Defender (Criminal Law Judicial Review and Strategic Litigation) Job Function: Legal Work Type: Fixed term - full time About this role Full time maximum term position up to 2 years (part-time applications considered) Salary range: $157,341 - $180,991 plus super plus salary packaging Up to $15,900 in salary packaging and hybrid WFH & office model About the role In this role, you will deliver high quality advocacy for legally aided clients in complex criminal matters with a focus on strategic litigation, administrative law and judicial review. You will also provide expert and strategic legal advice and opinions to Victoria Legal Aid (VLA). You will provide practical support and assistance as well as professional legal education, mentoring and training to in-house and external practitioners to contribute to VLA's response to criminal and administrative law policy and law reform issues. This role is based at our Melbourne CBD office on Wurundjeri Country. About you As our ideal candidate, you will possess: Extensive and significant advocacy experience as a barrister or solicitor advocate, including the ability to conduct strategic litigation, judicial review, appeals and complex trials in the County and Supreme Courts (and potentially the High Court). Extensive and thorough knowledge, understanding and experience in the practice and procedure of State and Federal criminal law, administrative law, judicial review and the laws of evidence. Demonstrated skills in providing high level advice on legal and policy issues. Entitlement to practise in federal courts and courts exercising federal jurisdiction (entry on the High Court's Register of Practitioners). A current Australian practising certificate which entitles you to practise in Victoria as a barrister or legal practitioner. About Victoria Legal Aid We provide legal representation to those who need it most. With over 1300 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 Supportive team environment in modern offices (including free gym and end-of-trip facilities at our CBD office) Access to discounted Private Health Insurance How to apply To be considered for this role, please submit your current resume and a completed candidate application form (listed within the file attachments). 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 Julia Munster, Chief Counsel on (03) 9269 0694 or Renee Rao, Recruitment Specialist on No agency applications will be accepted. Applications close by 11.59pm on Monday 27 January 2025. 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. #J-18808-Ljbffr