Victoria Legal Aid Clerkship Application
Justice for Victorians who need it most
Program Overview
- Criterion: Newly admitted lawyers with 1 year or less experience - Criterion: Commitment to public legal service - Criterion: Interest in criminal law, family law, civil justice, youth crime, or family violence - Criterion: First Nations applicants (for dedicated programs) - Criterion: Willingness to work in regional locations - Mentoring: Mentorship from 60+ LIV accredited specialists - Mentoring: Cultural support from First Nations Employment Consultant and Staff Network (First Nations programs) - Development: Court and advocacy experience from day one - Development: Casework exposure across multiple practice areas - Pathway: Transition to permanent lawyer position upon successful completion of New Lawyers Program - Pathway: 12-month PLT pathway with full salary (First Nations Graduate Law Program) - Program: New Lawyers Program — 2-year structured pathway with three 8-month placements across criminal law, family law, civil justice, youth crime, family violence, and regional generalist tracks
Locations
- VIC
Firm Values
- - Identity: Government-funded legal aid provider serving disadvantaged Victorians
- - Identity: Established advocate for social justice and legal rights protection
- - Identity: Statewide reach across Victoria with community-focused mission
- - Values: Social justice and equitable access to legal representation
- - Values: Protecting rights of disadvantaged and vulnerable communities
- - Values: Reconciliation with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples
- - Culture: Inclusive equal opportunity employer across all demographics
- - Culture: Family-friendly with gender affirmation and domestic violence leave
- - Culture: Flexible and hybrid work arrangements supporting work-life balance
- - Differentiator: Mentoring from 60+ LIV accredited legal specialists
- - Differentiator: Employer-funded professional development and study leave
- - Differentiator: Comprehensive support for First Nations
- LGBTQ+
- disabled staff
Awards & Recognition
- - Award: Victorian Budget 2026–27 funding extension for Help Before Court program
- - Award: Victorian Budget 2026–27 funding extension for Victims Legal Service
- - Award: Victorian Budget 2026–27 funding extension for Independent Family Advocacy and Support program
- - Recognition: Glassdoor employer rating of 3.7/5 stars (50 reviews)
- - Recognition: 1,160 employees as of March 2026
Community & Pro Bono
- Program: Help Before Court; Victims Legal Service; Independent Family Advocacy and Support - Focus: Criminal law, family law, family violence, child protection, youth crime, mental health advocacy, civil justice - Initiative: Statewide legal assistance and representation for vulnerable and disadvantaged clients; multilingual services in 30+ languages; specialist services for deaf and hard-of-hearing clients - Impact: 1,160 staff providing comprehensive legal aid coverage across Victoria; extended funding for three critical services in Budget 2026–27 - Partner: Victorian government; community access to justice services