Lead Counsel, Royal Commissions

Senior legal role with strong client focus and strategic management capability
- Diverse and high profile work on matters of public interest
- Specialised legal expertise in administrative and regulatory law is essential
- Multiple opportunities
- Ongoing | Full-time
- VPS 7 $173,134 - $235,465 plus superannuation per annum

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 Inquiries, Prosecutions and Administration Branch comprises a number of legal teams that provide specialist legal services and advice to the State in relation to; regulation, administrative law and disciplinary reviews, Inquiries and Royal Commissions.
The Administrative and Regulatory Law teams provide litigation services and legal advice in the following areas:

- Merits review of administrative decisions and related court proceedings
- Investigations and criminal procedure
- Business and occupational licensing
- Conduct reviews, professional disciplinary proceedings and summary/indictable prosecutions
- Freedom of information (FOI), information sharing and privacy
- Integrity body inquiries

The Inquiries teams provide specialist legal services and legal advice in relation to Inquiries and Royal Commissions including:

- Establishment of Royal Commissions (exclusive services)
- Management of notices to produce including document review
- Witness and hearing preparation
- Briefing and instructing counsel
- State submissions and strategic responses
- Project management and reporting

About the role
Due to the branch expanding, we are currently looking for senior and experienced lawyers to join the Inquiries, Prosecutions and Administration Branch in Lead Counsel positions to assist in the management and client relationship of the Yoo-Rrook Justice Commission and the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide, along with a variety of medium scale public inquiries and investigations.
Reporting to the Assistant Victorian Government Solicitor, the lead counsel role has a significant strategic focus and will work closely with the other Lead Counsel leading the direction of the branch and providing highly specialised and sector-recognised legal expertise and people leadership. In addition, there is a key emphasis on leading client strategy and managing people and financial metrics, with a focus on:

- Client Relationship Management (CRM) deliverables;
- high risk and high complexity legal advice and legal risk management;
- change management approaches;
- process improvement; and
- organisational culture.

Key responsibilities
- Provide highly specialised legal expertise and technical legal advice across government;
- Provide strategic leadership to legal teams, ensuring the provision of high quality and responsive legal services and advice in alignment with the VGSO's Strategic Plan and the VGSO values; and
- Proactively advance the VGSO's client strategies, practice areas and client relationships in order to further develop positive existing client relationships and establish new business opportunities.

About the successful applicants
You are regarded as an expert; a senior and highly experienced legal practitioner with a strong understanding of the structure and culture of government and of the political and legal sensitivities of operating within the public sector. You have experience acting in a leadership capacity on public inquiries and/or Royal Commissions, and have a general capability in public law.
You are excited to lead people leaders and understand the importance of having the right people, management and processes in place to facilitate the provision of high quality legal services to government clients. You are experienced in leading and developing high performing teams and have specialised legal expertise in administrative and regulatory law.
As such, you will be an experienced professional leader with the capacity to contribute strategically and drive continuous improvement. You will also have demonstrated business development and relationship management experience, with the ability to develop positive and effective client relationships in order to grow the branch and its practice areas.

**Benefits**:
In exchange for your hard work you will receive competitive remuneration, training and development opportunities and up to 17.5% annual leave loading. The VGSO embraces flexibility and welcomes a conversation to help you achieve work-life balance.
How to appl