Work Type: Ongoing - Full-time or part-time
Salary: $142,790 - $166,938
Grade: VPS 6
Occupation: Legal
Location: Melbourne - CBD and Inner Metro suburbs
Reference: VG/VGSO1005
About the VGSO
The 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 guides 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 team
The Land Acquisition, Planning and Environment Team is part of the Public Law and Planning Branch at VGSO. The Public Law and Planning branch operates in the epicentre of public law practice in Victoria. The Land Acquisition, Planning and Environment teams practice spans advice and litigation in subject areas including planning and built heritage and land acquisition and compensation.
The team's advisory work includes advice on the application, interpretation and development of legislation and other instruments, principally in the team's subject areas. Its litigation focusses primarily on judicial and merits review of decision making in its subject areas, and contested land compensation and valuation matters.
The team's subject areas include:
About the role
We are seeking an experienced and strategic legal practitioner to join our Land Acquisition, Planning and Environment team as a Principal Solicitor.
Reporting to a Managing Principal Solicitor, you will provide expert legal advice and litigation services to government clients across complex and sensitive land acquisition, planning, environment and broader public law matters.
You will independently manage significant advisory and litigation matters, including matters connected with some of Victoria's major projects. You will also play an important leadership role within the team, supervising and mentoring solicitors, contributing to knowledge sharing and fostering strong client relationships across the Victorian public sector.
This is an opportunity to work at the centre of public law practice in Victoria and contribute to significant matters that support government decision-making and outcomes for the State.
About the successful applicant
You are an experienced legal practitioner with specialist knowledge and experience in land acquisition, planning, environment law or related areas, and the ability to confidently manage complex and sensitive matters.
You will also have:
Experience acting for government, local government or statutory authorities, and specialist experience conducting litigation in statutory tribunals, will be highly regarded.
You must be admitted to practise, or eligible for admission, as a legal practitioner of the Supreme Court of Victoria.
Benefits
VGSO 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.
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 apply
If this sounds like the opportunity for you, apply now!
Click 'Apply Now' to start your application. Applications must include:
Please 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 Kate Miller, Talent Acquisition Business Partner, on 0408 353 909 or via [email protected].
Applications close at 11:59pm on Sunday, 22 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.