Junior Lawyer (Criminal Law - Family Violence)

Victorian Aboriginal Legal Service - Preston VIC

- Full-time, 12-month fixed-term (robust potential for renewal)
- Salary: $91,455 + Super + Salary Packaging

Are you an emerging lawyer looking to build meaningful legal practice in a culturally strong, community-controlled organisation?

Victoria Aboriginal Legal Service is seeking a Junior Lawyer to join our newly established Family Violence Service. This is an opportunity to contribute to a specialist, multidisciplinary team delivering culturally safe legal services to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people experiencing or responding to family violence.

In this role, you will provide legal advice, advocacy and representation in family violence-related matters, including intervention order proceedings, criminal matters connected to family violence, and cases involving misidentification.

You will work alongside senior lawyers, social workers, Aboriginal Community Engagement workers and support staff to deliver coordinated, trauma-informed and culturally grounded support.

About VALS

Established in 1973, Victoria Aboriginal Legal Service is an Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisation and the state's only specialist legal and support service dedicated to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

We provide culturally safe legal advice and representation across criminal, family, civil and human rights law, youth justice and specialist litigation. Our broader services include a 24/7 Custody Notification Service, family violence programs, transitional housing support, client support and community legal education.

About the Family Violence Service





The VALS Family Violence Service works at the intersection of family violence, criminal law and systemic injustice. The service supports clients who are often navigating multiple systems at once, including courts, police, child protection and community services.

A key focus of the service is addressing the misidentification of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in family violence matters and reducing its impact through individual advocacy, coordinated support, law reform and system change.

This is complex, purposeful and fast-moving work where your legal skills will directly contribute to safety, liberty, family connection and cultural identity.

What you'll do

In this role, you will:

- Provide culturally safe and trauma-informed legal advice, casework and advocacy to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander clients.
- Appear in relevant courts for family violence intervention order matters, criminal matters linked to family violence, misidentification matters and associated hearings.
- Work collaboratively with senior lawyers and multidisciplinary colleagues to support integrated case planning, risk assessment and coordinated responses.
- Contribute to court-based service delivery across metropolitan and regional locations.
- Participate in community legal education,



service development and law reform work related to family violence and misidentification.
- Maintain strong professional practice, including up-to-date knowledge of relevant legislation, procedures and legal developments.

About you

You will bring:

- Admission, or eligibility for admission, as a legal practitioner in Victoria.
- Some experience or demonstrated interest in family violence law, criminal law, social justice, community legal practice or related areas.
- An understanding of the experiences of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in family violence contexts, including misidentification, systemic disadvantage and intergenerational trauma.
- Strong communication skills and the ability to work respectfully with clients, colleagues and stakeholders.
- A collaborative, reflective and professional approach to practice.
- Commitment to culturally safe, trauma-informed legal services and the values of VALS.

Mandatory requirements

The successful applicant will be required to hold or obtain:

- Admission, or eligibility for admission, as a legal practitioner in Victoria.
- A current Employee Working with Children Check.
- A valid Victorian Driver's Licence.
- A National Criminal History Check.
- Proof of work rights in Australia.

Why join VALS?

At VALS, your work has purpose. You will be part of an Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisation with a long history of legal advocacy, community connection and systemic change.

You will have the opportunity to develop your legal practice in a supportive, multidisciplinary team while contributing to work that matters deeply to community.

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📌 Junior Lawyer (Criminal Law - Family Violence) (Williamstown)
🏢 Victorian Aboriginal Legal Service
📍 Williamstown