Principal Solicitor Advocate

Office Of Public Prosecutions; Melbourne; On-site; AUD 150,000 - 210,000; Full time

Job summary

Office of Public Prosecutions in Melbourne seeks a Principal Solicitor Advocate to lead complex criminal prosecutions across Magistrates' and County Courts. The role focuses on committals, plea hearings, bail applications and appeals, with substantial court appearance time and mentoring of junior advocates.

You will provide expert legal advice, drive outcomes through negotiation with defence and police, and contribute to division-wide innovation.

Qualifications

• Extensive knowledge of criminal law and procedure.
• Experience advocating in complex criminal matters.
• Strong negotiation and advisory skills.

Responsibilities

• Appear in court for the majority of time in Magistrates' and County Courts.
• Conduct committals, plea hearings, appeals and related matters.
• Mentor junior advocates and solicitors within the division.
• Provide expert legal analysis on complex issues and contribute to continuous improvement.

Skills

Criminal law expertise

Court advocacy

Negotiation skills

Legal research

Stakeholder engagement

Education

Admission as Australian Lawyer

Victorian Practising Certificate

Job description

The OPP is seeking a highly skilled Principal Solicitor Advocate to join our Advocacy Division. This senior role offers the opportunity to appear regularly in the Magistrates' and County Courts, managing complex criminal matters including committals, plea hearings, bail applications and appeals.

Reporting within the Advocacy Division, you will:

• Appear in court for approximately 80% of your time.
• Conduct complex committal hearings, plea hearings, appeals and contravention matters.
• Drive early resolution outcomes through effective negotiation with defence practitioners, police and key stakeholders.
• Provide expert legal analysis and advice on complex and emerging legal issues.
• Mentor and develop junior advocates and solicitors.
• Contribute to innovation and continuous improvement across the division.

This role is based in Melbourne and includes occasional regional travel. Fixed term position until 30 September 2028.

About you You will bring:

• Extensive knowledge of criminal law, criminal procedure, evidence law and related legislation.
• Significant experience advocating in complex criminal matters.
• Exceptional legal research, analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Strong negotiation and resolution-focused advocacy capabilities.
• Outstanding communication and stakeholder engagement skills.
• Demonstrated leadership capability and experience mentoring legal practitioners.
• The ability to adapt to changing priorities and navigate complex legal issues with sound judgement.

Requirements

• Admission as an Australian Lawyer.
• Current Victorian Practising Certificate.
• Current Australian Driver Licence (desirable).

About Us:

The Office of Public Prosecutions (OPP) is an independent statutory authority responsible for conducting serious criminal prosecutions across Victoria on behalf of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP). Our team, consisting of over 475 skilled professionals, supports the work of the DPP, the Chief Crown Prosecutor, and Crown Prosecutors. We strive to be a criminal justice system leader and a dynamic organisation, continually adapting to deliver effective outcomes for our people and the community. At the heart of the criminal justice system are people – practitioners and the community we serve. Our vision is to lead in legal excellence, fostering an innovative, supportive environment with a commitment to innovation, collaboration, and professional excellence.

The OPP is committed to building a diverse workforce and an inclusive culture. People from all cultural backgrounds are strongly encouraged to apply, particularly applicants of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander heritage, or those who may experience disability related barriers in securing employment.