Special Counsel, Litigation & Dispute Resolution

Victorian Government Solicitor's Office – Melbourne VIC

- Unique opportunity to be exposed to interesting legal work and high profile matters
- Diverse, challenging and fulfilling work on matters of public interest
- Hybrid work - enjoy the flexibility of office and remote work
- Ongoing | Full-time (flexible work options will be considered)
- VPS 7.1 $193,946 - $217,218 per annum + superannuation

About the VGSO

The Victorian Government Solicitor's Office (VGSO) serves the rule of law exclusively for the State.

We operate as a service-driven legal skilled 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 branch

The 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 claims
- Coronial investigations including inquests




- Supervision order proceedings pursuant to the Crimes (Mental Impairment and Unfitness to be Tried) Act 1997
- Supervision order and detention order proceedings pursuant to the Serious Offenders Act 2018
- Post-sentence orders pursuant to the Criminal Code Act 1995 (Cth)
- Judicial review and statutory interpretation
- Contempt of court, defamation, injunctions, and vexatious litigant applications

About the role

We 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; and
- Assisting 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 applicant

You 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

📌 Special Counsel, Litigation (Melbourne)
🏢 Victorian Government Solicitor's Office
📍 Melbourne