Lawyer / Policy Officer

at  Law Institute Victoria

• Full Time - Up to 24-month contract
• Work in the Admin Law and Human Rights Section and Government Lawyers Section
• Hybrid Working Environment

ABOUT US:

The Law Institute of Victoria (LIV) is the state’s peak body for lawyers. Representing more than 19,000 members the LIV’s purpose is to promote the highest standards of ethical and legal practice, education and service excellence in the practice and administration of law to ensure the community benefits from strong legal representation, effective advocacy, and a fair and equitable legal and justice system.
We are a non-profit organisation dedicated to our members and the development, maintenance, and the sustenance of the law for the benefit of the community.

POSITION OVERVIEW:

The lawyer / policy officer will primarily support the Law Institute of Victoria (LIV) Admin Law and Human Rights Section and Government Lawyers Section.
The LIV Legal Policy, Advocacy, and Professional standards team represents, supports and advocates for the legal profession and the broader community through the development of policy, reform and advocacy initiatives.
The lawyer/policy officer will be a member of the Legal Policy team, contributing to outstanding legal analysis and policy advice. The role combines specialist legal policy work with managing junior members of the team.
Key reform areas include providing submissions on migration related consultations and various human rights related consultations. Advocacy stems beyond the primary work of written submissions, including drafting policy proposals, etc.
This is a contract full - time position up to 24 months.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES INCLUDE:

• leading, in collaboration with the Manager and Head of Legal Policy, the development and management of influential law reform campaigns on issues of significance for the legal profession and broader community;
• Identifying and acting on emerging legal issues and trends in Australia and overseas to initiate policy development and solutions;
• Representing the LIV on internal and external committees, and at legal policy and practice events and forums;
• presenting, and assisting LIV representatives to present, relevant and up-to-date information on legal policy and practice issues to key stakeholders and other audiences.
• Prepare, negotiate, manage, correspond with external parties and provide legal advice to internal stakeholders in relation to legal agreements that minimises risks and maximises legal rights for the LIV, while meeting the LIV’s overall business objectives, strategic direction and values; and
• Identifying key topics for, and contributing to, continuing professional development programs and events for legal practitioners.

TO BE CONSIDERED FOR THIS ROLE, YOU WILL DEMONSTRATE:

• Policy officer/lawyer qualification with at least 2 years experience
• Good knowledge and experience of administrative law, human rights law or migration law
• Experience in legal policy development and advocacy
• High level legal research skills, including an ability to interpret legislation and provide advice on complex legal issues
• Experience in negotiating and collaborating with key stakeholders on legal policy matters
• Excellent project management skills
• Strong written communication and interpersonal skills
• Excellent organisational skills with a proven ability to deal with competing deadlines
• Initiative and accountability to ensure the successful achievement of high quality results, and