Managing Lawyer,Aboriginal Families Practice in Preston

Location: Preston, VIC

Employment Type: Full-Time

Organisation: Victorian Aboriginal Legal Service (VALS)

Salary: $120,000 + Super + Salary Packaging

About VALS

The Victorian Aboriginal Legal Service (VALS) is an Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisation (ACCO) and the state’s only specialist legal and support service dedicated to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. Established in 1973, VALS provides culturally safe legal advice and representation across criminal, family, civil, and human rights law, youth justice, and specialist litigation. Our broader supports include a 24/7 Custody Notification Service, transitional housing for women exiting custody, family violence programs, one‑to‑one client support, and community legal education. We are committed to diversity, equity and inclusion. Applicants from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander backgrounds, LGBTISBQ communities, and diverse cultures are strongly encouraged to apply. We welcome requests for adjustments throughout recruitment and employment to ensure accessibility and support.

Role Summary

The role of Managing Lawyer (ML), Aboriginal Families Practice, is to assist the PML in managing the day-to-day delivery of a high quality, culturally safe legal service to Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander clients. You will be operating as part of an integrated and diverse team that includes junior lawyers, senior lawyers, administration staff and client service officers.

Key Responsibilities

• Managing the day-to-day operation of the VALS Aboriginal Families team, including the supervision and overall conduct of Case Plan, supervision of solicitors LB1.1-1.7 and the effective allocation and management of files. This includes day‑to‑day oversight of a duty lawyer program at relevant courts to assist unrepresented Aboriginal people in matters related to family law, family violence intervention orders and child protection.
• Managing and developing Aboriginal Families solicitors’ grades LB1.1-1.7, paralegals, and where relevant, any Aboriginal Families volunteers. This includes ensuring they are performing their duties to a high standard through effective induction processes and providing overarching guidance, supervision, mentoring and facilitating access to ongoing professional development and workforce development opportunities. At a minimum, the ML will conduct career development review processes with these staff members on an annual basis, check in daily with new solicitors in their first fortnight and meet 1:1 fortnightly with each solicitor and paralegal.
• Oversee the preparation of quality legal representation for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders clients in family violence intervention orders, family law and child protection matters. This includes having responsibility and carriage for more complex work within the team.
• Appear as an advocate on behalf of VALS clients at the Magistrates’ Court of Victoria and the Federal Circuit and Family Courts of Australia.
• In conjunction with the PML, represent and advocate for VALS in stakeholder networks, meetings and parliamentary inquiry processes in Family Law and Child Protection matters and wider policy and law reform relevant to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
• Manage and undertake in‑house training and professional and community legal education.
• Ensure that all staff work cooperatively in a team environment contributing to the development of law reform, policy development and research initiatives as required.
• Perform duties in accordance with VALS Policies and Procedures and in conjunction with the PML, be responsible for their effective implementation within the VALS Aboriginal Families team. Consistent with relevant industrial relations advice, this includes in conjunction with the PML leading any performance management processes with Aboriginal Families solicitors’ grades LB1.1-1.7, paralegals and secretaries.

About You – Essential Requirements

• A current, unrestricted Victorian Practising Certificate, with demonstrated advanced post admission experience, including conduct of, and appearing as an advocate in, complex Family Law, Family Violence Intervention Orders and Child Protection matter.
• Comprehensive understanding of the issues Aboriginal people faces in relation to the delivery of legal services and a commitment to advancing VALS strategic priorities for reducing Aboriginal deaths in custody and overrepresentation within the justice system.
• Skills and experience to manage, supervise and develop less experienced solicitors and paralegals and experience in the design and delivery of professional legal education.
• Possession of skills in strategic and operational planning, including the ability to work effectively with others to develop and implement policies and procedures.
• Highly developed interpersonal, presentation, verbal and written communication and partnership development skills. This includes with diverse stakeholders, including VALS colleagues, members of the judiciary, partner organisations and Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander community members experiencing significant anxiety and stress as part of traumatic client work and proceedings.
• Capability to provide independent, strategic specialist legal advice and guidance to VALS lawyers and community justice teams on complex legal matters and or policy issues impacting the rights of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

About You – Desirable

• Accredited by the Law Institute of Victoria as a Specialist in Family Law
• Accredited by the Law Institute of Victoria as a Specialist in Children’s Law

What We Offer

• 5% Leave Loading
• 5 additional days of annual leave on top of the standard 20 days
• Generous salary packaging up to $15,900 via Maxxia
• Opportunity to work alongside a passionate, culturally committed team
• Ongoing professional development and training opportunities
• A supportive, inclusive, and culturally safe workplace environment

How to Apply

To apply, please provide: Your current resume, including education, professional experience, and two referees. Submit your application using the subject line: ‘Application for Managing Lawyer – Aboriginal Families Practice at VALS’. VALS actively encourages and supports Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people to apply. This position provides a culturally safe, supportive, and inclusive environment where your knowledge and lived experience are highly valued.

Please note: We do not accept unsolicited resumes from employment agencies. No fees will be paid to agencies submitting candidates without a valid written agreement.