Senior Lawyer, Drug and Alcohol Treatment Court

Work Type: Ongoing - Full-time

Salary: $101,869 - $118,844

Grade: WVR 4.1

Occupation: Legal

Location: Melbourne - CBD and Inner Metro suburbs

Reference: VG/VLA/CL/1881754

Exciting opportunity to provide high-quality legal services, mentor junior lawyers, and help create positive change for participants on Drug and Alcohol Treatment Orders.

• 1x full time ongoing position
• 1x full time maximum term position up to 12 months
• Salary range: $101,869 - $118,844 (pro rata) plus super plus salary packaging
• Up to $15,900 in salary packaging and hybrid WFH & office model

About the role

The Therapeutic Courts team are seeking an experienced criminal lawyer to provide high quality legal advice and act as an advocate for clients on Drug Treatment Orders in the County Court. You will act as a senior lawyer by conducting complex criminal casework management, in-court advocacy, duty lawyer services and advice sessions. You will contribute to the professional development of the in-house legal practice by mentoring and supervising less experienced lawyers and participate in professional legal education when required.

This presents an exciting opportunity for an experienced criminal lawyer looking to develop their leadership and mentoring skills whilst contributing to the strategic direction of the program focused on improving services provided to priority clients.

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

About you

As our ideal candidate, you will possess:

• Significant knowledge and practical experience in the law and relevant court procedures, predominately in criminal law and therapeutic justice related matters.
• Effective casework, dispute resolution and advocacy skills.
• Previous experience supervising junior lawyers, with a genuine interest in taking on a mentoring role.
• High-level interpersonal skills, including the ability to form productive professional relationships and communicate effectively with clients and stakeholders at all levels.
• 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 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 cover letter addressing the key selection criteria (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 Sonia Sawant, Managing Lawyer, Therapeutic Courts on or

No agency applications will be accepted.

Applications close by 11.59pm on Sunday 14 September 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 14 September 2025 at 11.59pm

Posted

29 August 2025