• Work with purpose, meaning, and impact
• Salary: $115,000 + Super + Salary Packaging
  
• Location: Preston, VIC
  
• Employment Type: Full Time, 12 Month Fixed Term (with strong potential for renewal)

As the senior legal practitioner within our specialist Balit Ngulu Youth Justice practice, you'll supervise, coach and support Client Support Officers (CSOs), helping them deliver high-quality, culturally safe support to clients.

At the Victorian Aboriginal Legal Service (VALS), you'll do more than appear in court. You'll advocate for young people at critical moments in their lives, help keep them connected to culture and community, and contribute to a justice system that delivers better outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and young people.

We're looking for an experienced criminal lawyer to join Balit Ngulu, our specialist Youth Justice practice. This is an outstanding opportunity to undertake meaningful advocacy, appear regularly in the Children's Court, mentor junior practitioners, and work alongside one of Victoria's leading Aboriginal legal services.

If you're passionate about criminal law and want your work to have genuine purpose, we'd love to hear from you.

Why join VALS?

VALS is Victoria's only specialist Aboriginal Community Controlled legal service. For more than 50 years, we've been advancing justice, self-determination and culturally safe legal representation for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.

Joining VALS means joining a team that values excellence in advocacy, collaboration, cultural safety and social justice.

What we offer

• Salary of $115,000 plus Super
• Increase your take-home pay through salary packaging of up to $15,900
• 25 days annual leave plus 17.5% annual leave loading
• Work within one of Victoria's leading specialist youth justice legal practices
• Regular advocacy in the Children's Court, Koori Court and other criminal jurisdictions
• Meaningful and rewarding work that directly impacts the lives of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people
• A collaborative, supportive and values-driven team environment
• Professional development, mentoring and leadership opportunities
• The opportunity to contribute to law reform and systemic advocacy that improves justice outcomes

About the role

As a Specialist Criminal Lawyer (Youth Justice), you'll provide expert legal advice and representation to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and young people involved in the criminal legal system.

This is a hands-on advocacy role where you'll appear regularly in court while also contributing to the leadership and development of a specialist legal practice.

You'll:

• Appear regularly in the Children's Court (Criminal Division), Koori Court, Magistrates' Court and other criminal jurisdictions
• Manage a diverse and complex criminal law practice, including serious and strategically significant matters
• Deliver high-quality legal advice and advocacy to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and young people
• Mentor and support Client Support Officers and other members of the Balit Ngulu team
• Contribute to case strategy, legal practice development and continuous quality improvement
• Build strong relationships with Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations, courts and justice sector stakeholders
• Deliver culturally safe, trauma-informed legal services
• Contribute to community legal education, policy development and law reform initiatives that strengthen outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people

About you

You'll be an experienced criminal lawyer who enjoys advocacy, thrives in a collaborative environment and is committed to delivering exceptional legal services.

You'll bring:

• Admission as an Australian Lawyer in Victoria (or eligibility for admission)
• At least four years' post-admission experience practising criminal law
• Strong advocacy and court appearance experience, ideally including the Children's Court
• The ability to independently manage complex criminal law matters
• Experience mentoring or supporting less experienced practitioners
• Excellent communication, stakeholder engagement and relationship-building skills
• A commitment to culturally safe practice and working respectfully with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities

Highly regarded

• Experience appearing in youth justice or Children's Court matters
• Eligibility for, or current membership of, Victoria Legal Aid's criminal and youth law panels
• Experience working within community legal services, Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations, Victoria Legal Aid or other social justice environments

Who can apply?

This position is open to applicants of all backgrounds.

We strongly encourage Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to apply. We welcome applicants who are committed to culturally safe practice and who are passionate about advancing justice for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.

About Balit Ngulu

Balit Ngulu, meaning "Strong Voice" in the Woi Wurrung language, is VALS' specialist youth justice practice.

The program provides culturally safe legal representation and holistic support to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and young people involved in the criminal legal system across Victoria. Working alongside Aboriginal Community Engagement Workers, Balit Ngulu combines high-quality legal advocacy with wrap-around support to help young people achieve better outcomes and remain connected to family, culture and community.

Apply now

If you're looking for a role where your advocacy, expertise and leadership can make a lasting difference, we'd love to hear from you.

Join a team committed to achieving better justice outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people and help shape a stronger future through exceptional legal advocacy.