Principal Managing Lawyer - Civil Law & Human Rights

Salary Offering $135,000 - $145,000

Full Time Fixed Term until 30th of June 2025 (likely extension)

Office Location 273 High Street, Preston, 3072

Additional Benefits:

• 17.5% Leave Loading
• Only required to work 28 hours per week, 
• Access to company vehicles for any work-related trips
• Salary packaging of up to $15,900+ per FBT available via Maxxia

Overview

The practice provides casework across tenancy, mental health law, discrimination, inquests, consumer, credit and debt, victims of crime compensation, the Stolen Generation Redress Scheme, employment, Working with Children Check suspension and cancellations and other miscellaneous civil justice issues. It provides the independent legal service to the Yoorrook Commission (the Lotjpa Legal Service), provides legal services to disaster affected communities, has a volunteer run infringements clinic, a health justice partnership with the Victorian Aboriginal Health Service and provides a Statewide outreach service. The team has grown significantly in recent years, and the successful candidate can expect to manage a team of over 15 lawyers, and over 20 staff in total. 

Key Responsibilities 

• Ensuring the practice provides a high-quality, culturally safe civil justice service for the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community in Victoria.
• Day-to-day operations of the practice and its staff (paid and unpaid), including but not limited to allocation, supervision, and overview of the conduct of casework files, reporting and funding requirements and practice management decisions in accordance with their ethical obligation.
• Ensuring that all members of the VALS Civil and Human Rights Practice are performing their duties to a high standard through effective induction processes and ongoing guidance, supervision, mentoring and facilitation of access to ongoing professional development and other workforce development opportunities. 
• Conduct of complex casework within the practice. This can include strategic litigation, complex coronial inquests and other complex and varied matters held by the practice. The PML will be expected to appear as an advocate in complex matters and develop their individual advocacy skills and that of the wider team in matters where VALS might otherwise engage counsel.
• Participate in VALS budgeting, strategic planning and risk management processes and lead the effective implementation of associated actions within the practice. This will include overall conduct of some elements of practice management for the entirety of VALS, potentially including development of legal policies to govern all practices at VALS, oversight of the expensive case fund and providing guidance on ethical matters to PMLs of other teams.
• Identify opportunities for innovating and developing VALS Civil and Human Rights Practice including developing proposals and sourcing external funding to further VALS strategic aims and the delivery of accessible civil and Human Rights assistance for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in Victoria, including regionally.
• Represent and advocate for VALS in stakeholder networks, meetings and parliamentary inquiry processes in civil and Human Rights law matters and wider policy and law reform relevant to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. This includes active participation in VALS monthly PML/executive meetings and other research, policy development and advocacy activities within VALS.   
• Participate and/or lead VALS policy, strategy and communications where directly relevant to the Civil and Human Rights Practice. Ensure that all staff within the practice work co-operatively and contribute to the work of the VALS Policy team where needed.
• Manage and undertake in-house training, professional and community legal education. 

Key Selection Criteria

• A current, unrestricted Victorian Practising Certificate, with demonstrated advanced post admission experience in civil justice. Holder of a Principal Practising Certificate, or ability to obtain one.
• Experience conducting complex legal casework in a trauma informed, culturally safe manner.
• Comprehensive understanding of the issues confronting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in relation to the delivery of legal services. 
• A commitment to advancing VALS strategic priorities by responding to structural issues and injustices faced by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Victorians. 
• The skills and experience to deliver a quality State-wide service, including demonstrated experience in managing and supervising solicitors and support staff and experience in the development and delivery of training to solicitors and support staff. 
• Capacity to liaise with Government and non-government organisations to identify opportunities to enhance VALS service delivery, demonstrated skills in securing funding for new projects and in implementing these effectively. 
• Possession of skills in strategic and operational planning, including the ability to work with others including non-legal staff and 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. 

• Looking for candidates available to work:
  • Monday: Afternoon, Morning
  • Tuesday: Afternoon, Morning
  • Wednesday: Afternoon, Morning
  • Thursday: Afternoon, Morning
  • Friday: Afternoon, Morning
• More than 4 years of relevant work experience required for this role
• Working rights required for this role
• Expected start date for role: 20 February 2024
• Expected salary: $135,000 - $145,000 per year