Job Title

- Location: Ballarat - Central Highlands## About this role* **Full time ongoing position (part-time considered)*** **Salary range: $113,668 - $131,153 (pro rata) plus super*** **Up to $15,900 in salary packaging, flexible hybrid work arrangement*** **Relocation supports available****About the role**As a Senior Advocate, you will provide high-quality legal services to clients, primarily in complex family law and family violence matters. Your work will include legal advice, duty lawyer services, complex casework, court representation, negotiation and dispute resolution. Where required, you will also provide referrals, initial advice and assistance in related areas such as child protection.You will act as a duty lawyer in the Magistrates'' Court of Victoria and the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia, including through the Family Advocacy and Support Services (FASS) program. Additionally, you will mentor and supervise junior lawyers, contribute to community legal education, and participate in policy and law reform initiatives.*This role is based at our Ballarat office on Wadawurrung Country.*If you were interested in gaining regional experience, this is a great opportunity to help lead our service delivery and have exposure to working in a regional community.Ballarat is only 1hr 15-30 mins drive from Melbourne and Bendigo, or 1hr 15mins drive from Geelong. Many of our staff do not live in Ballarat and commute. We have people who live in the West or Inner West of Melbourne and with our flexible hybrid working arrangements, it makes a commute a lot more manageable.**About you**As our ideal candidate, you will possess:* Lead the family law practice by delivering expert legal advice, advocacy and representation in complex family law, and other cross jurisdictional areas such as family violence and/or child protection.* Strong communication and interpersonal skills to engage effectively with diverse clients, especially those facing social and economic disadvantage.* Provide supervision, advice, guidance and mentoring to lawyers and other senior lawyers on family law matters.* Independent Children''s Law experience is desirable.* A current unrestricted Australian practising certificate which entitles you to practise in Victoria as a government legal practitioner (mandatory).* Entitled to practise in federal courts and courts exercising federal jurisdiction (entry on the High Court''s Register of Practitioners) (mandatory).**About VLA** 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 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*** A focus on work-life balance, including flexible working arrangements* Hybrid work from home & office model* Generous leave benefits, including: + Three days paid seasonal leave (to be taken between Boxing Day and New Year''s Day public holidays) + Paid gender affirmation leave + Five days both paid reproductive and fertility leave per calendar year* Annual 3% salary increase each December plus performance-related salary incentives* Attractive options including General Expenses up to $15,900, Meals & Entertainment up to $2,650 PLUS Novated Leasing* Individual learning and professional development opportunities, tailored to your role and career goals* Free annual flu vaccinations* Access to our Employee Assistance Program, including confidential counselling and access to a range of mental health and wellbeing resources.**How to apply**To be considered for this role, please submit your current **resume** and a **cover letter addressing:*** **your experience undertaking complex family law matters including any previous experience in respect to family violence and/or child protection matters, and*** **why you wish to work in the Ballarat Regional Office**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 Erin Churchill, Regional Manager on (03) 5329 6222 or [email protected]. ***No agency applications will be accepted.*****Applications close by 11.59pm on Wednesday 18 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.VLA is committed to putting the safety and wellbeing of children first.| Location: | Ballarat - Central Highlands || Attachments: | (Word, 237KB) Position Description | #J-18808-Ljbffr