Work Type: Ongoing - Full-time or part-time
Salary: $193,946 - $217,218
Grade: VPS 7
Occupation: Legal
Location: Melbourne - CBD and Inner Metro suburbs
Reference: VG/VGSO999
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 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:
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:
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 and drive continuous improvement. You will also have demonstrated business development and relationship management experience, with the ability to develop positive and effective client relationships in order to grow the branch and its practice areas.
Knowledge and understanding of the structure and culture of government and of the political and legal sensitivities of operating within the public sector is highly valued but not essential.
Please note: Appointments are typically made at the base of the grade; however, remuneration may be negotiated commensurate with skills and experience.
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. We are committed to the ongoing learning and development of employees, placing great value on continuous professional development for staff at all levels.
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 Pieta Baccinetti, Senior Manager - Talent Acquisition on 0408 328 343 or via email at [email protected]
Applications close at 11:59pm Monday, 9 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.