Work Type: Ongoing - Full-time
Salary: $81,496 - $90,227
Grade: VPS 3
Occupation: Legal
Location: Melbourne - CBD and Inner Metro suburbs
Reference: VG/SC0972DR1
About Us
Court Services Victoria provides corporate services and facilities to support the performance of the judicial, quasi-judicial and administrative functions of Victoria's courts and tribunal, Judicial College and Judicial Commission.
Collectively, Victoria's Supreme, County, Magistrates', Children's, and Coroners courts, the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT), the Judicial College of Victoria, the Judicial Commission of Victoria, and Court Services Victoria (CSV) are referred to as the 'Courts Group'.
Our people enable the Courts Group to deliver on each jurisdiction's own strategic priorities while also pursuing strategic opportunities that are interconnected and deliver benefits more broadly.
SCV
The Supreme Court of Victoria is the highest court in Victoria and comprises the Court of Appeal and the Trial Division. The Court deals with major criminal and civil matters, plus appeals against decisions of lower courts.
The Supreme Court of Victoria recognises that its people are integral to its ability to meet and exceed community expectations and to achieve its goal of being an outstanding superior court. We continually strive to create a high-performance workplace that is characterised by creativity, innovation, flexibility, and quality delivery.
About the role
The Honourable Justice Stephen Donaghue served as Solicitor-General of Australia from 2017 prior to his appointment as a Justice of the Court of Appeal in January 2026.
His Honour is seeking a legally qualified individual to be his associate with an anticipated commencement date in February 2027. The successful applicant will gain valuable experience in both civil and criminal appellate matters in the Court of Appeal division of the Supreme Court of Victoria.
Duties of an associate include:
About you
The successful applicant will have a strong academic record in law and will have been admitted to legal practice.
Other experience that is desirable, but not essential, includes: working in a law firm; a higher degree in law; serving on the editorial committee of a law journal; mooting to a high level; working as a research assistant for an academic.
To be successful in the role, you will possess the following:
How to apply
Applications comprising a cover letter, resume and a certified copy of your academic transcript should be submitted online, via the Victorian Government Careers website. The closing date for applications is midnight Sunday, 20 September 2026. Applications will be considered as they are received and you may be contacted prior to the application close date.
Applicants are not required to address the key selection criteria separately. Applications should explain why the applicant wishes to obtain the role and how it fits with their present career plans.
Short listed applicants will be asked to prepare a short research memorandum on a topic selected by the judge in the week prior to their interview. They will be expected to discuss that memorandum with the judge in th e interview.
For any enquiries regarding this expression of interest, please contact Rebekah Goulevitch (Judicial Services Coordinator, Court of Appeal and Criminal Division) at [email protected] or on (03) 8600 2122.
Other information
CSV is the employer of staff at Courts Group. CSV has a firm commitment through its Koori Employment Plan to increase participation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people across our workforce.
We value the unique backgrounds, experiences, and contributions that each person brings to our community and encourage and celebrate diversity. Those from the LGBTQIA+ community, women, people of all ages, with disabilities, culturally and linguistically diverse people, and those who are neurodiverse, are encouraged to apply.
We aim to create a workforce that reflects the community in which we live.
If you require adjustments to the recruitment and selection process or require an alternative format to any of the application material, please don't hesitate to email the contact person listed in the advertisement.
As part of our commitment to a safe and respectful workplace, CSV conduct pre-employment checks, including reference checks, police checks and misconduct screening. These checks are handled confidentially, with care and are a standard part of our hiring process to ensure the right fit for both candidates and Court Services Victoria.