Address
Form of work
Salary- Senior legal role with strong client focus and strategic management capability
- Unique opportunity to provide legal advice to government on public interest matters
- Responsible for managing senior people leaders
- Hybrid working from home/office environment
- Ongoing | Full-time
- VPS 7 - $177,488 - $241,387 p.a. + superannuation
The Victorian Government Solicitor's Office (VGSO) vision is to be the Victorian Government's trusted legal partner.
The VGSO provides responsive legal services exclusively for the Victorian Government and public sector. Our place within government ensures we are at the centre of legal change, reform and problem-solving. We operate as a service-driven legal professional practice and strive for excellence in this competitive environment. In all aspects of our operations, we aim to role model and live by our values: Responsiveness, Integrity, Insight, Collaboration and Excellence.
About the branch
The Litigation & Dispute Resolution Branch comprises a number of legal teams that provide specialist legal services to government departments and statutory bodies on matters which are topical and often involve public interest issues.
The streams of work undertaken by the branch include:
- General civil, police civil and tortious claims
- State care, personal injury and negligence claims (including historical institutional abuse claims involving former minors and young persons in the care of the State)
- Coronial investigations including inquests
- Judicial review and statutory interpretation
- Contempt of court, defamation, injunctions and vexatious litigant applications
- Commercial litigation
The Litigation & Dispute Resolution Branch is seeking a senior and highly experienced litigator to join the VGSO as one of its Lead Counsels. You will report directly to the Assistant Victorian Government Solicitor of the Branch and will be part of a leadership team with deep experience in public law. This role will focus on:
- providing legal advice to clients in relation to complex and sensitive litigation
- working with teams to establish a clear strategy for individual matters
- establishing and managing key client relationships
- managing people leaders - and you will be required to draw upon your highly developed interpersonal skills
- identifying areas for process and systems improvements
You are regarded as a senior and highly experienced legal practitioner with a strong understanding of the structure and culture of government and of the political and legal sensitivities of operating within the public sector. Expertise in personal injuries litigation is welcomed.
You are adept at delivering legal services in a manner which is fit for purpose, whether that is providing robust written advice for a legal audience or explaining a litigation strategy to a ministerial one.
You understand the importance of having the right people, management and processes in place and are experienced in leading and developing high performing individuals and/or teams. You can lead teams and manage projects, whether their timelines are short or longer term. You rise to a challenge but you bring others along with you.
As such, you will have the capacity to contribute strategic insight and drive continuous improvement. You will also have demonstrated business development and relationship management experience and have the ability to develop positive and effective client relationships.
Benefits
VGSO offers an inclusive, collegiate and collaborative work environment where you will be well-supported and mentored to develop your knowledge. You will also be given excellent career opportunities to progress and develop within the organisation.
VGSO embraces flexibility and welcomes a conversation to help you achieve work-life balance. We currently work in a hybrid environment with employees enjoying a balance of working from home and in the office.
How to apply
If this sounds like the opportunity for you, apply now! Applications must include a brief cover letter and resume that outlines your experience relevant to this role. Please note it is not a requirement to respond to the Key Selection Criteria separately but applicants should outline their relevant experience in their cover letter.
To find out more about this role, please view the position description attached. Alternatively, you can contact Syreeta Robinson, Talent Acquisition Advisor, on 0438 763 810 or by email at
The Victorian Government Solicitor's Office (VGSO) values diversity and seeks to attract and retain a diverse workforce with the best people for the role. We welcome applications from people of all ages, disability, ethnicity, family and caring responsibilities, gender, religion, sexual orientation and cultures including people of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander heritage.
Applications close at 11:59pm on Thursday, 15 February 2024.
Preferred candidates will be subject to pre-employment checks including but not limited to, reference checks, pre-employment misconduct screening and criminal record checks.
