Senior Solicitor (Office of the General Counsel)

About us 
The Department of Government Services (DGS) was established on 1 January 2023 to improve everyone's experience of doing business and interacting with the Victorian government. We bring important day-to-day services together in one department to make things easy and seamless for Victorians and businesses. We are doing this by connecting and digitising our systems and platforms across state and local government as well as streamlining our corporate and procurement services.  

Office of the General Counsel (OGC)
OGC is part of DGS’ Organisational Strategy, Governance and Performance Group. OGC navigates legal and policy challenges with technically outstanding legal advice and practical, evidence-based solutions.

We provide high profile legal advice at the centre of Government in relation to public law, regulatory, corporate, commercial, contracting and procurement issues, and performs an in-house legal advice function for the Department’s internal operations. 

OGC was also for In-House Team of the Year at the 2025 Australian Law Awards – recognition of OGC’s commitment to delivering expert legal advice to DGS.

About the role 
Reporting to the General Manager, this Senior Solicitor role provides advice on regulatory matters, including advice about whether there is sufficient evidence to support regulatory action and managing litigation on DGS’s behalf. This includes advice to the Fair Fuel Taskforce. 

Senior Solicitors within the CAV Legal team in OGC provide legal support across CAV but primarily to the Regulatory Services Division, as well as provide advice and assistance to DGS’s other regulatory functions. CAV’s Regulatory Services Division investigates allegations of breaches of a variety of legislation, including the Residential Tenancies Act 1997, the Estate Agents Act 1980 and the Australian Consumer Law.

Senior Solicitors provide specialist legal advice to CAV investigators and DGS prior to and during the course of investigations, preparation of legal briefs and materials to assist in the successful prosecution of defendants and by appearing and conducting litigation in all jurisdictions. Appearance work in these forums is also a key and interesting part of the position.

Key Accountabilities include

• Conduct and manage legal proceedings arising out of contraventions of legislation administered by DGS. 
• Provide accurate, timely, high level legal analysis, advice, comment and opinion in respect of legislation administered by DGS.
• Appear as a solicitor advocate before superior Victorian Courts and Tribunals on behalf of DGS.
• As required, manage and lead project teams responsible for conducting sensitive, complex investigations and other compliance and enforcement activities including legal policy and processes.

About you 
To be considered for the role, you must be able to demonstrate: 

• Demonstrated experience in prosecuting or litigating complex and sensitive criminal and/or civil law cases in a range of jurisdictions.
• Experience managing legal work in a complex environment including liaising with senior stakeholders, investigators and other state and federal bodies.
• Experience in supporting investigations, including preparing complex civil and/or criminal litigation matters.
• Experience in or aptitude for appearing as a solicitor advocate in a range of courts and tribunals.
• Strong stakeholder management skills and demonstrated ability to develop and direct innovative responses to new and emerging issues.

Mandatory requirements

• To be admitted to practice as an Australian lawyer and eligibility to hold a Victorian practising certificate. You will be asked to provide evidence of this requirement.
• Unrestricted practising certificates will be preferred but not essential.

For specific responsibilities please review the attached Position Description. 

This is an ongoing position. This position is only open to applicants with relevant rights to work in Australia.

How to apply:
Apply before the advertised closing date 11:59pm on Sunday, 17 May 2026. All applications should include: 

• a resume; and 
• a cover letter which addresses the key selection criteria (within three pages) 

Other relevant information 
The department is committed to providing and maintaining a working environment which is safe and without risk to the health of its employees and clients and consistent with the department's obligations under the Occupational Health and Safety Act 2004 (OH&S Act), to support this DGS has a COVID-19 Vaccination policy which strongly recommends all DGS employees be fully vaccinated.  

Preferred candidates will be required to complete a Pre-employment Declaration and Consent Form. Employment of successful candidates will be subject to a National Police Check. 

DGS actively promotes diversity, inclusion and an equal opportunity workplace. We welcome applicants from all diverse backgrounds, including people with disabilities and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. All roles at DGS can be worked flexibly, however it may differ from role to role.