I was drawn to a career in the public sector because I had a desire to make a positive difference in the world – to work on things which matter, which impact people’s lives and society at large.
Lawyers have a unique way of thinking, which is developed during law school and in practice, and this is highly sought after in the public service. The value of a government lawyer is not only in the provision of legal advice, but in bringing this unique perspective to policy development, service delivery design, and the way government functions.
As a Victorian Government lawyer, I work at the intersection of all three arms of government – as a public servant working to support Ministers; working on litigation and appearing in courts; and working on bills which are debated in Parliament and become legislation. My work for the Department encompasses a variety of interesting and important areas of law. This includes children’s law, personal injuries, public and administrative law, and corporate and commercial law.
In my role as General Counsel, I support the lawyers in my branch on complex and challenging matters, including multi-agency and whole-of-Victorian-Government issues. My work is intellectually stimulating, and I work with people who have a genuine desire to see the Department’s objectives achieved – to create equal opportunities for all Victorians to live safe, respected and valued lives.
I would encourage anyone considering a career as a Victorian Government lawyer to explore internship, graduate and trainee opportunities within departments and agencies. It is important not to underestimate the value a legal background brings to the public service, nor how rewarding and interesting a government career can be.
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