Principal Lawyer

• Senior leadership role with real strategic influence
• 5+ years PQE
• Hybrid working and a genuinely supportive, collaborative culture

About the Organisation
Our client is based in Melbourne, Victoria, and is a state-wide specialist Community Legal Centre with a sole focus on elder abuse.

They operate a dedicated elder abuse Helpline, offering information, referrals, and secondary consultations for professionals, alongside direct legal advice, short-term advocacy, and community education. They are active in policy development, systemic advocacy, law reform, and capacity building across Victoria and nationally.

As a specialist organisation, they have a clear understanding of their scope and work thoughtfully within it. The team is grounded in humility and collaboration, and led by values of emotional intelligence, resilience, and trauma-informed practice. They are looking for people who bring a strong sense of self to their work and who lead with maturity, care, and purpose.

About the Role
This is a senior leadership opportunity combining legal oversight with operational leadership. As Principal Lawyer, you will hold ultimate responsibility for the legal practice while working closely with senior leadership to drive strategy, performance, and impact. You will lead a multidisciplinary team, foster a strong and collaborative culture, and ensure the delivery of high-quality legal services, while contributing to broader advocacy, stakeholder engagement, and sector development.

The role is hybrid, with flexibility negotiable for the right candidate.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead and oversee the legal centre team, ensuring compliance with regulatory and accreditation requirements
• Build and maintain stakeholder relationships, identifying opportunities for sector growth and new initiatives
• Support program growth, including identifying funding opportunities and preparing submissions
• Assist in managing service agreements, ensuring reporting and funding obligations are met
• Develop and implement risk management frameworks, including information governance and confidentiality
• Monitor service delivery by maintaining policies, procedures, and compliance standards
• Supervise legal advice and casework, ensuring alignment with professional and organisational obligations
• Provide legal guidance to senior leadership
• Oversee secondary consultations and legal support to external professionals
• Lead legal education initiatives to raise awareness and prevent key issues

Why Join Our Client?

• Join an organisation where cultural fit, emotional maturity, and leadership capability are valued
• Lead a statewide specialist service within a nationally recognised organisation, driving real social impact
• Play a key role in advocacy and law reform
• Potential to grow the team and expand programs
• Work in a mission-driven, collaborative environment
• Hybrid working arrangement / WFH neg.

About You
You are a values-driven legal professional who leads with emotional intelligence, humility, and purpose. You bring a strong sense of self to your work and thrive in collaborative, mission-led environments.

• Minimum 5 years PQE with a current Principal Practising Certificate (or eligibility to immediately obtain one)
• Background in community law, family violence, elder abuse, civil justice, or a related area preferred
• Experience leading teams or supervising lawyers, with a track record of fostering collaboration and high performance
• The ability to build and maintain a positive, resilient team culture grounded in trauma-informed practice
• A genuine commitment to social justice and a deep understanding of the challenges faced by older people
• Strong stakeholder engagement and relationship-building skills
• Understanding of integrated service models spanning legal, advocacy, and education
• Ability to navigate risk, compliance, and CLC accreditation requirements

Highly Regarded

• Experience with budgeting, reporting, or managing service agreements
• Exposure to identifying funding opportunities
• Experience in community education or systemic advocacy
• Prior legal practice management experience, ideally within a community legal centre
• Understanding of the not-for-profit sector, including operating within limited resources and pro bono models

How to Apply
To apply, please submit your CV via the 'Apply Now' button or email directly to Rachel Townes-Vigh at [email protected]. For a confidential discussion, call 0439 936 199.