Special Counsel, Litigation & Dispute Resolution

Department of Justice and Community Safety; Victoria; Hybrid; AUD 194,000 - 217,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible hybrid work

Career opportunities

Learning and development

Job summary

VGSO in Melbourne seeks a senior Special Counsel to provide specialist legal advice across government on complex, high-profile claims. You will oversee litigated and pre-litigated matters, mentor junior lawyers, and shape strategy with government clients. The role emphasizes risk mitigation and strategic leadership within public sector work.

A flexible hybrid work arrangement is offered, with strong opportunities for professional development and high-impact work on public-interest matters.

Qualifications

• Senior and highly experienced legal practitioner with litigated and pre-litigated claim experience.
• Ability to supervise, mentor junior lawyers and manage complex files.
• Strong leadership, strategic thinking and client relationship skills.
• Knowledge of government structure and public sector sensitivities valued.

Responsibilities

• Provide expert legal advice to government clients on complex claims and litigation.
• Offer strategic guidance to teams and supervise files for high-quality service.
• Deliver internal training to develop legal staff within the Branch.

Skills

Litigation experience

Legal strategy

Public sector knowledge

Mentoring

Client relationship management

Education

Law degree

Admitted to practice

Tools

Legal research tools

Job description

Unique opportunity to be exposed to interesting legal work and high profile mattersDiverse, challenging and fulfilling work on matters of public interestHybrid work - enjoy the flexibility of office and remote workOngoing | Full-time (flexible work options will be considered)VPS 7.1 $193,946 - $217,218 per annum + superannuationAbout the VGSOThe 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 guide 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 branchThe Litigation and Dispute Resolution (LDR) branch comprises of a number of legal teams that provide specialist legal services to a wide range of government clients and departments, tackling matters that are both high profile and of public interest.The branch is the largest within the VGSO and is led by the Assistant Victorian Government Solicitor (LDR) who is supported by approximately 95 employees, being solicitors, junior solicitors and legal support.Our areas of expertise include:State care, personal injury, and negligence claims (including historical institutional abuse claims involving former minors and young persons in the care of the State)General civil, police civil, and tortious claimsCoronial investigations including inquestsSupervision order proceedings pursuant to the Crimes (Mental Impairment and Unfitness to be Tried) Act 1997Supervision order and detention order proceedings pursuant to the Serious Offenders Act 2018Post-sentence orders pursuant to the Criminal Code Act 1995 (Cth)Judicial review and statutory interpretationContempt of court, defamation, injunctions, and vexatious litigant applicationsAbout the roleWe are seeking a senior and highly experienced lawyer to join the LDR Branch as Special Counsel.This is an exciting opportunity for a senior practitioner to provide highly specialised legal expertise and technical legal advice across Government. This role will involve providing strategic legal advice in relation to litigated and pre-litigated matters. It will provide an opportunity to shape how the LDR Branch responds to competing and complex claims, negotiates agreements and manages critical relationships.Reporting to the Assistant Victorian Government Solicitor, Litigation & Dispute Resolution, this role has a significant strategic focus and you will work on complex matters that often involve higher levels of risk. In managing these matters, you will be contributing to significant risk mitigation and ensuring the branch is well-equipped to manage these matters.As a Special Counsel, your specialised expertise will contribute to informed decision-making and will support the long-term success and sustainability of the LDR Branch.Your responsibilities will include:Providing expert legal advice to Government clients in relation to complex and often sensitive claims and litigation;Providing strategic guidance to teams and supervision of files, ensuring the provision of high quality and responsive legal services and advice; andAssisting in the delivery of internal training to ensure continuous development of legal staff within the Branch.Please note: The LDR Branch handles sensitive institutional abuse claims and all practitioners in the Branch supervise or have a file load of abuse claims matters. Experience in personal injuries is desirable.About the successful applicantYou are a senior and highly experienced legal practitioner with experience navigating both litigated and pre-litigated stages of a claim who is adept at managing sensitive subject matter and working in a fast-paced environment.You are committed to delivering legal services in a manner which is fit for purpose and meets client expectations, whether that is providing robust written advice for a legal audience or explaining a litigation strategy to a ministerial one. You value client relationships and are committed to developing a deep understanding of a client's priorities and expectations.You can supervise, guide and mentor more junior lawyers and manage projects, whether their timelines are short or longer term. You rise to a challenge, but you bring others along with you.You will be an experienced professional leader with the capacity to contribute strategically and drive continuous improvement. You will also have demonstrated business development and relationship management experience, with the ability to develop positive and effective client relationships in order to grow the branch and its practice areas.Knowledge and understanding of the structure and culture of government and of the political and legal sensitivities of operating within the public sector is highly valued but not essential.Please note: Appointments are typically made at the base of the grade; however, remuneration may be negotiated commensurate with skills and experience.BenefitsVGSO 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. We are committed to the ongoing learning and development of employees, placing great value on continuous professional development for staff at all levels.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.How to applyIf this sounds like the opportunity for you, apply now!Click 'Apply Now' to start your application. Applications must include:a cover letter (no longer than 2 pages)resumePlease note it is not a requirement to respond to the Key Selection Criteria separately but applicants should outline their relevant skills/experience and suitability to the role in their cover letter.To find out more about this role, please view the position description attached. Alternatively, you can contact Pieta Baccinetti, Senior Manager - Talent Acquisition on 0408 328 343 or via email at [e-mail] close at 11:59pm Monday, 9 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.