Are you committed to ensuring access to justice for those who fall through the cracks? Do you want to see real and tangible results for your efforts as an advocate? We have a compelling opportunity for you to make a difference from within an innovative health justice partnership, located in St Kilda.
This position requires a minimum of 4-5 years of family law experience, and at least 1-year formal supervision experience to oversee family law practitioners. Current admission to practice law in Victoria is required. FSL is open to candidates seeking full-time or part-time employment in this role as part of a job-share arrangement.
About First Step Legal
First Step Legal (FSL) was established in 2008 as a Health Justice Partnership (HJP) within First Step, a not-for-profit mental health and addiction clinic in St Kilda. FSL only receives referrals from its health, housing and community service partners; its pro-bono legal advice, casework and representation is focused on clients who are genuinely engaged or wanting to be engaged in treatment, recovery, and therapeutic interventions that will support their ongoing wellbeing.
FSL is NAS-accredited, a member of the Federation of Community Legal Centres, and reaches the most marginalised and vulnerable in the community via its partnerships with five organisations: the First Step Program, Windana Residential Rehabilitation, Alfred Health (St Kilda Road Outpatient Clinic), Better Health Network, and Launch Housing across South Melbourne and East St Kilda.
About the Role
As FSL’s Senior Family Lawyer, you will lead the family law practice across all five partnerships and provide supervision to one other family lawyer who holds a restricted practising certificate. You will provide advice and representation in all areas of family law including divorce applications, parenting and property negotiation, FDR and litigation. You will also provide advice and representation in Family Violence Intervention Order matters for both Affected Family Members and Respondents.
Significantly, FSL has received funding under the National Partnership in Domestic, Family and Sexual Violence Response to design and deliver a specialist legal program aimed at men who use family violence. Centered around our core objectives of safety, wellbeing and accountability, this program is known as SWAP.
As part of SWAP, your family law and family violence skills will be leveraged as part of an interdisciplinary team including a criminal lawyer, social worker and financial counsellor, as well as our partner professionals, to strengthen the web of accountability for men who use family violence.
FSL’s senior lawyer will be appointed against the following selection criteria:
At least four years’ PAE in family law.
Demonstrated experience working with Respondents in family violence service settings, including familiarity with the principals of motivational change and a Men’s Behaviour Change Programs.
Experience responding to the legal needs of people with addiction and mental health vulnerabilities and/or demonstrated knowledge of the impact of legal issues on mental health and addiction recovery and rehabilitation.
Demonstrated commitment to access to justice, social justice, and equality.
High level communication and negotiation skills with a demonstrated ability to use those skills to share knowledge and build relationships with diverse clients and stakeholders.
Ability to work both autonomously and collaboratively as a member of a multidisciplinary team.
Demonstrated ability to stay focused under pressure and prioritise competing demands.
Computer literacy skills in direct client data entry, word processing and practice management software (e.g. Action Step).
Salary and Conditions
The position is for a fixed term of two years, in a flexible environment, with monthly RDOs and salary sacrifice options. Conditions are set out under the SCHADS Award. Salary is negotiable, subject to skills and experience. The role is subject to a 6-month probationary period, and continuation of this role is contingent on securing ongoing funding.
Applications
Applications can be made by forwarding a cover letter, CV and responses to the key selection criteria contained in the position description to Legal Administrator, Karine Cerff by email: [emailprotected]
Applications close atmidnight on Friday 6 February 2026.
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Your application will include the following questions:
* Which of the following statements best describes your right to work in Australia?
* How many years' experience do you have as a Family Lawyer?
* How many years' experience do you have in family law?
* How many years of people management experience do you have?
* Do you hold a current legal practising certificate in Victoria?
* Do you have a current Police Check (National Police Certificate) for employment?
* Do you have a current Australian driver's licence?
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