Solicitor

Office of the Public Advocate; City of Melbourne; On-site; AUD 101,000 - 114,000; Full time

Job summary

Office of the Public Advocate – Melbourne VIC is seeking a Solicitor to provide legal advice that protects the rights of Victorians with disability. You will work on guardianship, human rights and supported decision-making matters, appearing in VCAT and court matters to support the Public Advocate and staff.

You must be an Australian Legal Practitioner under the Legal Profession Uniform Law Application Act 2014, with strong legal and research skills, knowledge of guardianship and disability law,

Qualifications

• Must be an Australian Legal Practitioner under the Legal Profession Uniform Law Application Act 2014.
• Strong legal skills and the ability to interpret laws and solve complex legal issues.
• Strong research skills with exposure to administrative law and policy matters.

Responsibilities

• Provide clear legal advice on guardianship, medical decisions and human rights matters.
• Prepare legal documents, submissions, statements, reports and correspondence.
• Appear for the Public Advocate in routine VCAT and court matters.
• Manage legal files, negotiations, disputes and litigation support.
• Research complex legal issues and help develop practical solutions.

Skills

Strong legal skills

Strong research skills

Guardianship knowledge

Disability law knowledge

Clear legal advice experience

Education

Australian Legal Practitioner status

Job description

Office of the Public Advocate – Melbourne VIC

• You will provide legal advice that helps protect the rights of Victorians with disability.
• You will work on guardianship, human rights and supported decision-making matters.
• You will appear in VCAT and court matters while building your legal career.
• You will do meaningful work that supports dignity, choice and autonomy.
• Ongoing, full-time role earning $100,894 - $114,476 per year, plus super.

As part of the interview process, shortlisted candidates will be asked to complete a brief practical writing task. There is no need to prepare for this task; it is intended to help us understand your writing style and approach.

What you will do

As Solicitor, you will provide legal advice and support across OPA.

You will help the Public Advocate and staff make sound legal decisions.

You will:

• provide clear legal advice on guardianship, medical decisions and human rights matters
• prepare legal documents, submissions, statements, reports and correspondence
• appear for the Public Advocate in routine VCAT and court matters
• manage legal files, negotiations, disputes and litigation support
• research complex legal issues and help develop practical solutions.

About you

You must be an Australian Legal Practitioner under the Legal Profession Uniform Law Application Act 2014.

You should have:

• strong legal skills and the ability to interpret laws and solve complex legal issues
• strong research skills, including research into administrative law and policy matters
• knowledge of guardianship, supported decision-making, disability law or related areas
• experience giving clear legal advice and training staff who are not lawyers.

To learn even more about this role, please read the position description. If you have any further questions, feel free to email Omar Shahin at ***********@justice.vic.gov.au.

Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander (Aboriginal) people are strongly encouraged to apply. Learn more about our Aboriginal workforce strategy.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION:

Child safe statement of commitment

The Department of Justice and Community Safety is committed to the safety and wellbeing of children and young people. We seek to prevent harm of any kind impacting children and young people and have zero tolerance for racism, child abuse and inequality. Children and young people's rights, relationships, identity, and culture must be recognised and respected, their voices heard, and their concerns acted upon. We aim to foster a culturally safe, child safe and child friendly environment for all children and young people we have contact with, deliver services to, or are impacted by our work.

The successful candidate will be required to undergo pre-employment checks which may include national police checks and misconduct screening.