Lawyer Summary Crime

Location: Melbourne - CBD and Inner Metro suburbs

Reference: VG/VLA/CL/1892543

Seeking an experienced lawyer to join our busy Summary Crime team and contribute to achieving better outcomes for our clients and the community more broadly.

- Full time ongoing position
- Salary range: $90,871 - $101,868 (pro rata) plus super plus salary packaging
- Up to $15,900 in salary packaging and hybrid WFH & office model
- Rotating 7-day roster with requirements for weekend and evening work (finishing at 10pm)

About the role

We are seeking a values driven and highly motivated lawyer for an ongoing role in our busy Summary Crime team based in Melbourne. In this role you will assist clients charged with summary crimes to achieve timely and appropriate outcomes by targeting finite resources to a range of interventions based on need, and by influencing the criminal justice system to be efficient, fair and respectful to accused people.

You will also be required to appear in the Magistrates' Court of Victoria and other courts and tribunals, including busy duty lawyer lists primarily in criminal law and associated family violence matters. You will deliver high quality legal services by providing legal information and advice, conducting casework, and working with our community partners with appropriate referrals to ensure clients receive a holistic service.

This role is based at our Melbourne CBD office on Wurundjeri Country.

About you

- You will demonstrate a capacity to act as an advocate, deliver advice, conduct casework and undertake negotiation and dispute resolution on behalf of clients.
- You will have a sound understanding of the criminal law jurisdiction and court procedures with the capacity to advocate for clients with diverse and complex needs and identify client's needs beyond their immediate legal issue.
- You will have excellent interpersonal skills including the ability to communicate effectively with a wide range of clients.
- You will also demonstrate a commitment to working collaboratively with colleagues and external stakeholders to achieve better outcomes for our clients and the community more broadly.
- A current Australian practising certificate which entitles you to practise in Victoria as a government legal practitioner (mandatory).

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 offer legal representation, family dispute resolution and non-legal advocacy 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 Cavell Warren, Managing Lawyer, Summary Crime on (03) 9280 3982 or recruitment@vla.vic.gov.au.

No agency applications will be accepted.

Applications close by 11.59pm on Sunday 16 November 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.

Applications close Sunday 16 November 2025 at 11.59pm

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