Victorian Aboriginal Legal Service – Preston VIC
Full time, Contract
3d ago , from Victorian Aboriginal Legal Service
Salary: $116,000 to $119,000 + Super + Salary Packaging
Location: Preston, VIC
Employment Type: Full Time | 12 Month Fixed Term (with strong potential for renewal)
Lead a specialist youth justice practice and help shape the next generation of advocates.
At the Victorian Aboriginal Legal Service (VALS), we believe every Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander child deserves access to exceptional legal representation and culturally safe support.
We're looking for an experienced criminal lawyer to join our specialist Balit Ngulu Youth Justice team in a key leadership role. As the Deputy Managing Lawyer (advertised as Supervising Lawyer), you'll continue appearing in court while leading, supervising and developing a team of lawyers delivering high-quality legal services to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and young people.
Working closely with the Managing Lawyer and Principal Managing Lawyer, you'll help shape legal practice, strengthen capability across the team and contribute to better justice outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.
If you're an experienced advocate looking to take the next step into legal leadership while maintaining a rewarding court practice, we'd love to hear from you.
Why join VALS?
VALS is Victoria's only specialist Aboriginal Community Controlled legal service. For more than 50 years, we've provided culturally safe legal representation while advancing self-determination, justice and human rights for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.




Joining VALS means joining an organisation where your leadership and advocacy will have a lasting impact on clients, colleagues and the broader justice system.
What we offer
Salary of
$116,000 to $119,000 plus Super
Increase your take-home pay through salary packaging of up to
$15,900
25 days annual leave
plus
17.5% annual leave loading
A genuine leadership chance within one of Victoria's leading specialist youth justice legal practices
The opportunity to supervise and develop a passionate team of lawyers
A reduced but meaningful advocacy practice with regular Children's Court appearances
Professional development and leadership opportunities
A collaborative, values-driven workplace committed to cultural safety
The opportunity to contribute to policy, law reform and systemic advocacy that improves outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people
About the role
This role combines legal practice with leadership and supervision.
You'll maintain a strategic criminal law practice while supporting the Managing Lawyer with the day-to-day leadership of the Balit Ngulu Youth Justice team.
You'll:
Provide high-quality legal advice, advocacy and representation to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and young people in criminal law matters, including complex cases
Appear regularly in the Children's Court, Koori Court, Magistrates' Court and other relevant jurisdictions
Maintain a reduced but strategically significant caseload
Supervise, coach and mentor lawyers, supporting high standards of legal practice and culturally safe service delivery
Review legal advice, court strategy and legal documents to support quality practice across the team
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📌 Supervising Lawyer (Youth Justice) (Melbourne)
🏢 Victorian Aboriginal Legal Service
📍 Melbourne