Principal Lawyer, Commercial Disputes

About Us

The Department of Transport and Planning oversees key planning, transport and land use policy decisions and management across the State. A life-cycle approach to planning, building, connecting and sustaining communities means our people can come together to: improve services, deliver sustainable projects, focus on customer engagement, streamline regulatory approval pathways, facilitate community consultation and better realise local economic opportunities for more liveable communities across Victoria.

DTP Legal is a Division within the Department of Transport and Planning, and is responsible for providing legal, legislative, commercial and policy advice and support to portfolio Ministers, the Secretary, the DTP Executive and DTP in the achievement of the transport, land use and planning system vision, objectives and decision-making principles.

The Operations and Commercial Branch of DTP Legal provides advice and support to divisions of the Department and portfolio agencies, in relation to commercial disputes, commercial negotiations, contract management, transport operations, public private partnerships, transport franchises, commercial projects and the integration of the Big Build assets back into our transport network. The Branch comprises a large team of lawyers with expertise in commercial and contract law, commercial negotiation, dispute management, and laws associated with multi modal transport operations, rolling stock, large scale procurement, precinct development and property transactions.

Our People Matters Survey results consistently demonstrate that DTP Legal is a well-managed, fun and supportive team, which successfully balances providing excellent and responsive legal services with a focus on work-life balance.

About the Role

This is a Fixed Term Position until 30 June 2026

Join the Department of Transport and Planning as a Principal Lawyer, Commercial Disputes, where you will be responsible for providing authoritative advice on a wide range of complex legal issues, with a focus on the State’s participation in cladding cost recovery litigation, associated ADR and related matters and other commercial disputes as required. As Principal Lawyer, Commercial Disputes, you will deliver outstanding client service and timely, clear and pragmatic legal advice and related services.
The cladding cost recovery program includes the management of commercial litigation and ADR to recover funds spent by the State of Victoria to rectify non-compliant combustible cladding and to hold responsible practitioners to account.
In addition to advising on litigation and ADR, the role will also play a proactive and critical role in assisting DTP to formulate responses to complex policy issues and making recommendations to senior stakeholders to inform decision making.

To access the Position Description, please click here.

About you

• You are a highly skilled and engaged member of your project and legal teams, respected, and sought after for your excellent, clear, timely and pragmatic legal advice.
• You provide in-house legal advice on cladding cost recovery litigation, ADR and related matters and other commercial disputes, supporting the Senior Legal Counsel, Commercial Disputes, the Director Legal, Commercial Disputes and the cladding cost recovery program.
• You provide expert and highly influential legal advice and support to DTP business areas, executive managers and committees and the Minister for Planning in the management and resolution of cladding cost

Location: Middle Park, AU

Posted Date: 10/1/2024