Supervising Lawyer - Youth Justice

At the Victorian Aboriginal Legal Service (VALS), we believe every Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander child deserves access to exceptional legal representation and culturally safe support.

We're looking for an experienced criminal lawyer to join our specialist Balit Ngulu Youth Justice team in a key leadership role. As the Deputy Managing Lawyer (advertised as Supervising Lawyer), you'll continue appearing in court while leading, supervising and developing a team of lawyers delivering high-quality legal services to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and young people.

Working closely with the Managing Lawyer and Principal Managing Lawyer, you'll help shape legal practice, strengthen capability across the team and contribute to better justice outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.

If you're an experienced advocate looking to take the next step into legal leadership while maintaining a rewarding court practice, 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 provided culturally safe legal representation while advancing self-determination, justice and human rights for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.

Joining VALS means joining an organisation where your leadership and advocacy will have a lasting impact on clients, colleagues and the broader justice system.

What we offer

• Salary of $116,000 to $119,000 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
• A genuine leadership opportunity within one of Victoria's leading specialist youth justice legal practices
• The opportunity to supervise and develop a passionate team of lawyers
• A reduced but meaningful advocacy practice with regular Children's Court appearances
• Professional development and leadership opportunities
• A collaborative, values-driven workplace committed to cultural safety
• The opportunity to contribute to policy, law reform and systemic advocacy that improves outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people

About the role

This role combines legal practice with leadership and supervision.

You'll maintain a strategic criminal law practice while supporting the Managing Lawyer with the day-to-day leadership of the Balit Ngulu Youth Justice team.

You'll:

• Provide high-quality legal advice, advocacy and representation to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and young people in criminal law matters, including complex cases
• Appear regularly in the Children's Court, Koori Court, Magistrates' Court and other relevant jurisdictions
• Maintain a reduced but strategically significant caseload
• Supervise, coach and mentor lawyers, supporting high standards of legal practice and culturally safe service delivery
• Review legal advice, court strategy and legal documents to support quality practice across the team
• Assist with workload allocation, practice quality assurance and day-to-day operational management
• Foster a collaborative, supportive and high-performing team culture
• Build and maintain strong relationships with Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations, courts, youth services and justice sector stakeholders
• Contribute to community legal education, policy development and law reform initiatives

About you

You'll be an experienced criminal lawyer who enjoys developing others, leading by example and delivering exceptional advocacy.

You'll bring:

• Admission as an Australian Lawyer with a current unrestricted Victorian Practising Certificate
• Significant post-admission experience in criminal law, including advocacy in the Children's Court
• Demonstrated experience supervising, mentoring or developing lawyers
• Strong technical legal skills with the ability to guide others on complex legal matters and court strategy
• Experience managing competing priorities within a busy legal practice
• 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 working within Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations, community legal services, Victoria Legal Aid or other social justice environments
• Experience leading legal teams or supporting practice management
• Experience contributing to policy, law reform or systemic advocacy initiatives

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 and multidisciplinary teams, Balit Ngulu combines expert legal advocacy with wrap-around support to achieve better outcomes for young people and their communities.

Apply now

If you're ready to take the next step in your legal career and help lead one of Victoria's most respected specialist youth justice practices, we'd love to hear from you.

Join VALS and use your advocacy, leadership and expertise to create lasting change for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and young people.