Deputy Managing Lawyer

Victorian Government; Greater Bendigo; Hybrid; AUD 114,000 - 131,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Salary packaging

Hybrid work arrangement

Seasonal leave benefits

Gender affirmation leave

Reproductive leave

Professional development

Vaccination program

Employee assistance program

Job summary

Victoria Legal Aid (VLA) in Bendigo seeks a Senior Lawyer to lead and deliver high‑quality family law services, including advocacy and negotiations. You will act as a duty lawyer in Magistrates' Court and the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia, while supervising the Bendigo Family Law team and mentoring staff.

You will also contribute to policy initiatives and community education, with travel across the region for outreach.

Qualifications

• Substantial knowledge or practice in family law.
• Proven ability to lead and develop a high performing legal team.
• Ability to provide strategic legal and policy advice.
• Strong interpersonal skills for diverse clients and colleagues.
• Current unrestricted Australian practicing certificate in Victoria (government practitioner).
• Eligible for practice in federal courts and High Court registration.

Responsibilities

• Lead and deliver high quality family law services and representation.
• Act as duty lawyer in Magistrates' Court and Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia.
• Manage Bendigo Family Law team: supervision, rostering, performance reviews.
• Mentor junior staff and contribute to law reform and community education.
• Provide referrals and initial advice in related areas of law when needed.

Skills

Family law

Team leadership

Strategic advice

Interpersonal skills

Job description

Location: Loddon Mallee - Greater Bendigo

Reference: VG/VLA/RSD/1951345

Experienced family lawyer and people leader seeking to contribute as Deputy Managing Lawyer, providing expert legal advice, managing a complex caseload, and leading and developing legal staff.

• Maximum term position up to 31 March 2028
• Salary range: $113,668 - $131,153 plus super
• Up to $15,900 in salary packaging, flexible hybrid work arrangement

About the role

Victoria Legal Aid (VLA) is seeking a Senior Lawyer to lead and deliver high-quality legal services, including providing legal advice and representation to clients in family law matters, as well as engaging in negotiation and dispute resolution. The role may also involve providing referrals and initial advice in related areas of law, including child protection.

You will act as a duty lawyer and advocate in the Magistrates' Court of Victoria and the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia. In addition, you will manage and supervise the Family Law team in Bendigo, including direct line management, staff rostering, and performance and professional development discussions.

You will also provide supervision, mentoring and support to junior legal staff and contribute to policy initiatives, projects, law reform and community legal education programs.

We encourage applications from:

• First Nations people
• Lawyers with strong connection to the Loddon-Campaspe region and its communities
• People who reflect the diversity of the clients and communities we serve

This role is based at our Bendigo office on Dja Dja Wurrung Country with travel across the region for community outreach.

Why relocate to Bendigo?

Bendigo is located on the traditional lands of the Dja Dja Wurrung and Taungurung Peoples and is famous for its heritage attractions and thriving local culture of art, food, wine and music, all while being only about two hours from Melbourne by car or V/Line train.

Enjoy excellent work life balance and relaxed, affordable living without the noise and traffic- this regional city has all the benefits and amenities of city living, situated in a beautiful regional setting, near other vibrant regional towns such as Kyneton, Castlemaine and Daylesford.

About you

• Substantial knowledge or practical experience in providing quality legal services with a focus on the family law jurisdiction.
• Demonstrated expertise in managing and leading teams, with a focus on developing, motivating, and effectively overseeing a high-performing legal team.
• Ability to provide strategic advice on legal and policy issues.
• High level interpersonal and communications skills to effectively communicate with diverse clients and capacity to develop professional relationships.
• A current unrestricted Australian practising certificate which entitles you to practise in Victoria as a government legal practitioner (mandatory).
• Entitled to practise in federal courts and courts exercising federal jurisdiction (entry on the High Court's Register of Practitioners).

Don't meet every requirement? At VLA, we understand that your work and life experiences can be just as valuable. If your CV doesn't align perfectly with our job description, we strongly encourage you to apply. You may be just the right candidate.

Employee benefits

• A focus on work-life balance, including flexibleworking arrangements
• Hybridwork fromhome& office model
• Generous leave benefits, including:
  • Three days paid seasonal leave (to be taken between Boxing Day and New Year's Day public holidays)
  • Paid gender affirmation leave
  • Five days both paid reproductive and fertility leave per calendar year
• Annual 3% salary increase each December plus performance-related salary incentives
• Attractive salary packaging options including General Expenses up to $15,900, Meals & Entertainment up to $2,650 PLUS Novated Leasing
• Individual learning and professional development opportunities, tailored to your role and career goals
• Free annual flu vaccinations
• Access to our Employee Assistance Program, including confidential counselling and access to a range of mental health and wellbeing resources.

No agency applications will be accepted.

Applications close by 11.59pm on Monday 26 October 2026.

Other relevant information

It is a requirement that staff attend for office-based days at their primary work location. In line with this requirement, interstate applications will be considered only where the candidate is able and willing to relocate to Victoria, unless part of a border community.

VLA is committed to putting the safety and wellbeing of children first.

Applications close Monday 26 October 2026 at 11.59pm