Lawyer in Melbourne

Now hiring: Lawyer, Family Violence Program

Location: Hybrid from Youthlaw's Carlton / CBD office

0.8FTE to Full-Time applicants will be considered

7-month contract (parental leave cover position) for immediate start

Salary: SCHADS Award Level 5 - 6, dependent on experience ($108,470 - $123,762 per annum, pro rata). Plus 12% superannuation + 17.5% annual leave loading + 5 weeks annual leave + additional paid leave between Christmas and New Years Day + generous salary packaging options.

Youthlaw does incredible, life-changing work providing free, high-quality legal and social work support to young people across Victoria who are doing it tough. Our frontline services help young people experiencing homelessness, family violence, mental health challenges, poverty, discrimination, over-policing, mistreatment and growing up in out-of-home care. We know that early, integrated legal and social work support makes a big difference to the lives of young people who have experiences of family violence and who have come into contact with the justice system.

We're looking for a lawyer who cares about young people's rights and wants to put their legal skills to work alongside our passionate multidisciplinary team of lawyers and social workers. Joining our Family Violence Program for seven months to cover parental leave, you'll provide trauma-informed, culturally safe legal help to young people experiencing and/or using violence in their families, intimate relationships, peer groups or school settings.

This is an exciting opportunity to:

• Join Victoria's statewide specialist community legal centre for young people and work alongside our passionate team of lawyers and social workers committed to social justice.
• Build specialist expertise as an advocate for young people, working directly with children and young people facing complex legal and social issues.
• Deepen your advocacy skills through regular appearances at Melbourne and Broadmeadows Children's Courts.
• Be part of an innovative integrated practice model that combines legal and social work support to achieve better outcomes for young people.
• Work alongside experienced practitioners in a supportive, collaborative environment that values reflective practice, wellbeing and professional development.
• Contribute to law reform, systemic advocacy and community education initiatives that amplify young people's experiences and drive change across the justice system.

What we're looking for:

You're a lawyer who wants to use your skills to make a meaningful difference in the lives of young people. You bring at least two years' legal experience, including family violence practice and court work, along with a strong commitment to social justice. You're comfortable working with young people experiencing complex challenges and can provide trauma-informed, culturally safe legal support that responds to their individual needs and circumstances. You'll have sound legal judgement, strong advocacy and communication skills, and enjoy working collaboratively as part of a multidisciplinary team of lawyers and social workers.

Why join Youthlaw?

• Supportive, inclusive and flexible workplace culture
• Above award wages
• Salary packaging to boost your take-home pay
• 12% superannuation
• 5 weeks annual leave + paid shutdown leave between Christmas & New Year
• Hybrid work model, with opportunities to work from home

We strongly encourage applications from First Nations people, people of colour, people with disability, people from LGBTIQA+ communities, and those with lived experience of the issues our clients face. Your voice and experience are valued at Youthlaw.

Interview process:

We'll be reviewing applications as they come in and immediately contacting suitable applicants for interview. We'll send you the interview questions in advance, so you have time to prepare. Need adjustments to make the process more accessible for you? Reach out – we're here to help.