Senior Solicitor, Litigation and Dispute Resolution in Melbourne

Exposure to interesting legal work and high profile / public issues.

Join a supportive team environment.

Hybrid work - enjoy the flexibility of office and remote work.

Ongoing | Flexible work options available.

About the VGSO:

The Victorian Government Solicitor's Office (VGSO) serves the rule of law exclusively for the State. 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. We role-model the Victorian Public Sector values and VGSO's Our Compass, which guide how we work together in everything we do:

• Proud of what we do
• Value every voice
• Learn, grow, thrive
• Always evolving
• Act with care

About the branch:

The Litigation and Dispute Resolution (LDR) branch comprises a number of legal teams that provide specialist legal services to a wide range of government clients and departments, tackling matters that are both high profile and of public interest. The branch is the largest within the VGSO and is led by the Assistant Victorian Government Solicitor (LDR) who is supported by approximately 95 employees, being solicitors and legal support who work within teams.

Our areas of expertise include:

• State care, personal injury, and negligence claims (including historical institutional abuse claims involving former minors and young persons in the care of the State)
• General civil, police civil, and tortious claims
• Coronial investigations including inquests
• Supervision order proceedings pursuant to the Crimes (Mental Impairment and Unfitness to be Tried) Act 1997
• Supervision order and detention order proceedings pursuant to the Serious Offenders Act 2018
• Post-sentence orders pursuant to the Criminal Code Act 1995 (Cth)
• Judicial review and statutory interpretation
• Contempt of court, defamation, injunctions, and vexatious litigant applications

About the role:

An exciting opportunity has become available for a motivated and experienced Senior Solicitor looking for a challenging and rewarding role involving the provision of legal services to government clients. The LDR branch prioritises professional development across all levels in a safe, supportive learning environment with direct access to senior leadership. Reporting to the Managing Principal Solicitor, your role as a Senior Solicitor will be focussed upon delivering legal advice and representation across a range of cases.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Conducting civil litigation and preparing advices (with supervision)
• Managing a diverse caseload (with supervision)
• Working with a range of staff (solicitors and paralegals) on complex matters
• Playing a key role within the relevant team and the LDR branch, including contributing to practice development

Please note that the LDR branch provides specialist litigation services in matters involving state care, personal injury and negligence claims and that all lawyers in the LDR branch will undertake this work. Additionally, you will have the opportunity to support other streams of work within the branch, ensuring a varied and enriching experience.

Skills and Experience:

Ideal candidate will have 4+ years practising experience. Demonstrated experience in complex and sensitive litigation in state courts and tribunals, including a sound knowledge of relevant court practices and procedures. Experience providing or contributing to written and oral legal advice which is fit for purpose. Experience acting for government or statutory authorities and/or insurers would be highly regarded. Experience in personal injury/civil litigation is desirable but not essential. Good interpersonal communication skills to truly connect with team members and work together to deliver results for our clients. Proven ability to effectively manage competing priorities, within a fast-paced dynamic environment. Practical and client-focused problem solving and research skills. A strong focus on turnaround time and ability to work under pressure.

Why Join Us?

Impactful Work: Engage in cases that make a real difference in the community and involve significant public interest issues.

Professional Growth: Benefit from a supportive environment that encourages continuous learning and development.

Collaborative Team: Work alongside a team of dedicated professionals who are passionate about delivering high-quality legal services.

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 recognises the importance of work-life balance. We offer a flexible hybrid work arrangement, allowing employees to spend half of their time working remotely and the other half in the office. This setup encourages collaboration and strengthens team connections, while supporting your ability to achieve a healthy work-life balance.