Senior Public Defender

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Full time ongoing position (part time applications considered)Salary range: $170,181 - $186,421 (pro rata) plus super plus salary packaging Up to $15,900 in salary packaging and hybrid WFH & office model Full time ongoing position (part time applications considered)Salary range: $170,181 - $186,421 (pro rata) plus super plus salary packaging Up to $15,900 in salary packaging and hybrid WFH & office model About the role This is a key senior advocate role in Victoria Legal Aid (VLA) Chambers.
Our Senior Public Defenders provide high quality advocacy to legally aided clients in all criminal law jurisdictions across Victoria and provide high quality training, mentoring and advice services to lawyers.
Reporting to VLA Chambers Chief Counsel, you will appear as counsel in complex criminal and quasi-criminal law matters (and some civil and human rights litigation) in various courts and tribunals across Victoria including the County and Supreme Courts, the Court of Appeal and occasionally the High Court.
You will also provide expert and high-level legal advice in a range of criminal matters and law reform issues.
You will assist in the training and mentoring of criminal advocates and lawyers to develop their advocacy skills and knowledge of criminal law.
VLA Chambers is a team of about 40.
In this role you will have the opportunity to work with a dedicated and highly skilled team of advocates, and to use your advocacy expertise to contribute to quality legal service delivery in Melbourne and regional areas.
This role is based at our Melbourne CBD office on Wurundjeri Country.
About you You will have significant and substantial experience, skills and ability as a criminal law barrister or advocate.
You will also have extensive and thorough knowledge, understanding and experience in the practice of State and Federal indictable criminal law and the laws of evidence and criminal procedure.
As Our Ideal Candidate, You Willbe an experienced and effective trial and/or appellate advocate with substantial knowledge and experience in the practice of complex criminal law, particularly in indictable matters across both state and federal jurisdictionsconsistently produce high quality oral and written advocacy and provide high level advice on legal and policy issuesdemonstrate a commitment to working collaboratively with others.
You will foster a supportive learning environment in your mentoring and training of criminal advocates and lawyers, as you help develop their advocacy skillsbe a passionate advocate for clients and have the ability to develop strong relationships and communicate effectively with clients and stakeholders at all levels 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.
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 Opportunity to join Myki Commuter Club(and salary package the cost)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 Madeline Ryan, Associate Director – Chambers on (03) 9269 0482 or Renee Rao, Recruitment Specialist on recruitment@vla.vic.gov.au.
No agency applications will be accepted.
Applications close by 11.59pm on Sunday 24 August 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.
Seniority level Seniority level Mid-Senior level Employment type Employment type Full-time Job function Job function Legal Industries Legal Services Referrals increase your chances of interviewing at Victoria Legal Aid by 2x Sign in to set job alerts for "Public Defender" roles.
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