Job Title

About this role Location: Melbourne CBD. Full time or part time ongoing position. Salary range: $113,668 - $131,153 (pro rata) plus super plus salary packaging. Up to $15,900 in salary packaging and hybrid work-from-home & office model. We are seeking a Deputy Managing Lawyer to join our Melbourne-based Child Protection team. In this role, you will lead and mentor staff and support the operation of legal services in the Childrens Courts at Melbourne, Moorabbin and Wyndham, in child protection and intervention order matters. You will also provide duty lawyer services and complex casework and advice services, primarily in child protection and intervention order matters in the Childrens Court of Victoria and support the improvement of our client services and community legal education efforts. This role is based at our Melbourne CBD office on Wurundjeri Country, and you must be able to travel to the Melbourne, Moorabbin and Wyndhams Childrens Courts as required. About you A current [unrestricted] Australian practising certificate which entitles you to practise in Victoria as a government legal practitioner. Demonstrated people management and leadership capabilities. Substantial knowledge or practical experience in child protection and intervention order matters in the Childrens Court, and relevant court procedures. Demonstrated capacity to work as an advocate and conduct casework in complex child protection and intervention order matters in the Childrens Court. Excellent interpersonal skills including the ability to communicate effectively and respectfully with people from diverse backgrounds, and external stakeholders. About Victoria Legal Aid We offer legal representation, family dispute resolution and non-legal advocacy 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 thats 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 options including General Expenses up to $15,900, Meals & Entertainment up to $2,650 and Novated Leasing Opportunity to join (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 brief cover letter addressing the following key selection criteria: Demonstrated people management and leadership capabilities including experience in developing, managing and motivating a team. Demonstrated capacity to work as an advocate and conduct casework in complex child protection and intervention order matters in the Childrens Court. A commitment to working collaboratively with others and fostering a cooperative and supportive team environment. If you require adjustments to the recruitment and selection process or need an alternative format to any of the application material, please dont hesitate to get in touch with our team. For further information, please review the attached position description or contact Karen Czarny or Alice Bewley, Managing Lawyers Child Protection, or Renee Rao, Recruitment and Retention Consultant. No agency applications will be accepted. Applications close by 11.59pm on Tuesday 3 February 2026. 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. Victoria Legal Aid is committed to putting the safety and wellbeing of children first. #J-18808-Ljbffr