Opportunity Expired
Victoria Legal Aid assists individuals facing legal issues spanning various areas such as family breakdown, criminal matters, social security, and discrimination. Their clientele primarily includes socially and economically disadvantaged individuals, people with disabilities or mental illnesses, children, the elderly, and those from diverse cultural backgrounds. As an independent statutory authority, they aim to provide legal aid efficiently, manage resources effectively, and ensure improved access to justice for the community while pursuing innovative means to minimize the need for individual legal services.
To know more, watch this video.
VLA's New Lawyers Program is an amazing opportunity to learn on the job while being supported by strong mentors and structured training. This program has been designed to equip you with the knowledge and skills to most effectively represent VLA's unique and diverse client base and make positive change for Victorians.
As a VLA lawyer, you'll deliver high-volume client services and handle busy court lists but also identify opportunities for strategic advocacy to change the justice system, fight disadvantage, and contribute to community legal education.
Responsibilities
Through training and experience the new lawyers will build confidence and develop the skills to undertake the following duties as a VLA lawyer:
Learn more about the role and responsibilities, check this link.
On the New Lawyers Program, you will be supervised and supported by the NLP manager, senior lawyers, trained placement host managers and an in-house practice that includes 60 LIV-accredited specialists.
The program will build your skills and experience in different areas of law, with four placements (six months each) in VLA's different offices throughout Victoria (including at least one placement in regional Victoria) and their legal Program areas. This does mean you will be required to change office locations every six months and additional travel is expected when at their suburban and regional offices.
At the end of the program, you will take up an ongoing lawyer role in one of their programs and offices – and continue your legal career in any direction!
At VLA you will get a starting annual salary of AUD 84,626 to AUD 97,921 plus superannuation and up to $15,900 in salary packaging. You will also receive benefits such as:
The company offers various avenues for career progression and professional development. This includes formal learning programs, financial assistance for further education, and on-the-job development opportunities. Their Professional Legal Education program specifically focuses on equipping lawyers with necessary skills and expertise, while also aiding in staying updated with legal knowledge and fulfilling continuing professional development requirements. Additionally, support is provided for accreditation through the Law Institute of Victoria, covering fees and offering study leave, along with organized study groups and presentations by in-house expert lawyers.
The organization offers flexible work arrangements and family-friendly policies to promote a healthy work-life balance for employees. This includes options such as flexible working hours, job sharing, and remote work, as well as the ability to purchase additional annual leave. They also provide an Employee Assistance Program for short-term counseling and support for employees and their immediate family members, ensuring accessibility to assistance for personal and work-related issues.
Victoria Legal Aid values diversity among its clients and staff, fostering an inclusive work culture where unique perspectives are appreciated. Their vision aims for a fair and inclusive society where legal assistance is accessible, and laws are equitable. They are guided by values of fairness, care, courage, and inclusion, striving to make a difference in addressing legal problems and supporting a dynamic legal assistance sector.
They encourage applicants from diverse backgrounds and work experience who are pursuing a career in social justice, with an interest in criminal, family, and civil law.
VLA is also committed to progressing their vision for reconciliation in Australia and therefore especially encourage applications from Australian First Nations people.
They're looking for people with amazing career potential to grow their careers with VLA, who:
Please complete the Candidate Application Form (please see ‘file attachments' on their site), and submit it together with:
The following sources were used in researching this page:
The opportunity is available to applicants in any of the following categories.
Australia
Australian Citizen
Australian Permanent Resident