Principal Solicitor, Land Acquisition, Planning and Environment

Department Of Justice; Melbourne; Hybrid; AUD 150,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Department of Justice seeks a Principal Solicitor in the Land Acquisition, Planning and Environment team to provide strategic legal advice and handle significant advisory and litigation matters for government clients.

You will lead, mentor and collaborate across the team, managing complex land, planning and environment projects while supporting government decision-making and outcomes.

Qualifications

• Admitted to practise or eligible for admission as a legal practitioner of the Supreme Court of Victoria.
• Extensive knowledge in land acquisition, planning and environment law.
• Experience supervising solicitors and mentoring junior staff.
• Ability to provide expert written and oral legal advice on complex matters.
• Strong interpersonal, negotiation and client relationship skills.

Responsibilities

• Provide expert legal advice and litigation services to government clients.
• Lead significant advisory and litigation matters related to land, planning, environment and public law.
• Mentor and supervise solicitors and graduates, fostering knowledge sharing.
• Develop and maintain strong relationships with Victorian public sector clients.
• Support government decision-making and project outcomes through high-quality legal services.

Job description

Principal Solicitor, Land Acquisition, Planning and Environment

• Unique opportunity to work on planning, environment and land acquisition matters at the heart of government
• A mix of litigation and advice work
• Join a supportive and dynamic team environment
• Hybrid work- enjoy the flexibility of office and remote work
• Ongoing | Full time or Part-Time

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 pillars, which guides 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 team

The Land Acquisition, Planning and Environment Team is part of the Public Law and Planning Branch at VGSO. The Public Law and Planning branch operates in the epicentre of public law practice in Victoria. The Land Acquisition, Planning and Environment teams practice spans advice and litigation in subject areas including planning and built heritage and land acquisition and compensation.

The team's advisory work includes advice on the application, interpretation and development of legislation and other instruments, principally in the team's subject areas. Its litigation focusses primarily on judicial and merits review of decision making in its subject areas, and contested land compensation and valuation matters.

The team's subject areas include:

• Planning and built heritage;
• Environment and climate change;
• Land acquisition and compensation;
• Major projects, project powers and project delivery;
• Aboriginal cultural heritage;
• Forestry, water and other resources; and
• Emergency management.

About the role

We are seeking an experienced and strategic legal practitioner to join our Land Acquisition, Planning and Environment team as a Principal Solicitor.

Reporting to a Managing Principal Solicitor, you will provide expert legal advice and litigation services to government clients across complex and sensitive land acquisition, planning, environment and broader public law matters.

You will independently manage significant advisory and litigation matters, including matters connected with some of Victoria's major projects. You will also play an important leadership role within the team, supervising and mentoring solicitors, contributing to knowledge sharing and fostering strong client relationships across the Victorian public sector.

This is an opportunity to work at the centre of public law practice in Victoria and contribute to significant matters that support government decision-making and outcomes for the State.

About the successful applicant

You are an experienced legal practitioner with specialist knowledge and experience in land acquisition, planning, environment law or related areas, and the ability to confidently manage complex and sensitive matters.

You will also have:

• demonstrated ability to provide expert and authoritative written and oral legal advice on complex matters
• experience independently conducting litigation in courts and tribunals, with strong knowledge of relevant practices and procedures
• experience supervising, mentoring and supporting the development of solicitors, graduates or paralegals
• excellent interpersonal, communication, negotiation and client relationship management skills
• demonstrated ability to manage multiple complex matters and competing priorities, including within short timeframes
• a collaborative approach and strong commitment to delivering high-quality legal services to government.

Experience acting for government, local government or statutory authorities, and specialist experience conducting litigation in statutory tribunals, will be highly regarded.

You must be admitted to practise, or eligible for admission, as a legal practitioner of the Supreme Court of Victoria.

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.

Applications close at 11:59pm on Sunday, 22 November 2026.

Preferred candidates will be subject to pre-employment checks including but not limited to, reference checks, pre-employment misconduct screening and criminal record checks.