Principal Solicitor

Location: Melbourne | CBD

Job type: Full time

Organisation: Victorian Government Solicitor's Office

**Salary**: $134,593 - $157,354

Occupation: Legal

Reference: VG/VGSO800
- Challenging, diverse and professionally fulfilling work on matters unique to the public sector
- Working on challenging, high value transactional matters and high-profile real property, Crown land, roads and public infrastructure advice matters as a trusted legal partner to the Victorian Government
- Hybrid working from home/office environment
- Ongoing | Full-time
- VPS 6.1 $134,593 - $157,355 plus superannuation per annum (depending on experience)

**About the VGSO**

The Victorian Government Solicitor's Office (VGSO) vision is to be the Victorian Government's trusted legal partner.

The VGSO provides responsive legal services exclusively for the Victorian Government and public sector. Our place within government ensures we are at the centre of legal change, reform and problem-solving. We operate as a service-driven legal professional practice and strive for excellence in this competitive environment. In all aspects of our operations, we aim to role model and live by our values: Responsiveness, Integrity, Insight, Collaboration and Excellence.

**About the branch**

The Commercial, Property and Technology (CP&T) Branch assists government clients to conduct significant transactions and projects, manage their corporate affairs and acquire, manage, or dispose of land, goods, or services. The branch offers specialist services in commercial transactions, IP/IT, property, and Native Title. It offers deep commercial expertise with a government perspective.
About the role

We have an exciting opportunity for a Principal Solicitor with highly developed property law skills, to join as a key member of our collaborative team and make a strong and meaningful contribution within the Commercial, Property & Technology Branch.

Specifically, this role will appeal to you if wish to perform challenging and interesting legal work for State Government and statutory authority clients, in connection with government land and property transactions, involving both Crown and freehold land, including the drafting and negotiation of agreements relating to property and commercial transactions, such as retail and commercial leases, contracts of sale, development agreements and agreements regulating the use and development of land under legislation that are recorded on title. You would also have the opportunity to draft challenging memoranda of advice and issues papers dealing with real property, Crown land and road issues and tenure structuring options for public infrastructure projects.

**Responsibilities**
- Independently prepare, manage, and conduct a range of complex and/or sensitive matters, including providing legal advice to government clients, particularly in relation to real property issues, Crown land, land transactions and public infrastructure projects;
- Provide clear, concise, and authoritative written and oral advice to government, including on interpretation of agreements, real property concepts, encumbrances and statutory interpretation issues;
- Draft, negotiate and assist in settling a range of complex property and commercial agreements, including commercial leases and licences, contracts of sale and land use and development agreements;
- Undertake research and analysis on complex and challenging matters; and
- Supervise, lead and mentor junior solicitors.

In this role, we'll empower you to contribute, build your own practice and client relationships and give you plenty of opportunities to develop your skills and profile in providing practical, accessible and strategic legal advice to government on a range of matter and transaction types. The issues we deal with are diverse and interesting, and the government context provides unique challenges that help to refine your skills and the effectiveness of your approach.

**Skills and experience**
- Admitted to practice as a legal practitioner of the Supreme Court of Victoria;
- Strong knowledge and understanding of principles and practice of real property law in both transactional and advisory capacities;
- Excellent interpersonal, communication and client relationship management skills
- Flexibility and the ability to manage competing priorities effectively
- Proven experience supervising, leading and mentoring staff
- Enthusiasm to be a trusted legal partner to the Victorian Government

**Benefits**

VGSO offers an inclusive, collegiate, and collaborative work environment where you will be well-supported and mentored to develop your knowledge. You will also be given excellent career opportunities to progress and develop within the organisation.

VGSO embraces flexibility and welcomes a conversation to help you achieve work-life balance. We currently work in a hybrid environment with employees enjoying a balance of working from home and in the office.

**How to apply**

**Applications close at