Associate to the Hon Justice Stephen Donaghue, Court of Appeal, Supreme Court of Victoria

About the role

The Honourable Justice Stephen Donaghue served as Solicitor-General of Australia from 2017 prior to his appointment as a Justice of the Court of Appeal in January 2026.

His Honour is seeking a legally qualified individual to be his associate with an anticipated commencement date in February 2027. The successful applicant will gain valuable experience in both civil and criminal appellate matters in the Court of Appeal division of the Supreme Court of Victoria.

Duties of an associate include:

• discussing pending and reserved cases with the judge;
• undertaking discrete research tasks, preparing research memoranda and case summaries, and assisting in the production of judgments, including proofreading;
• clerking in Court, and using courtroom technology to ensure proceedings are transcribed and technological aids are readily available to counsel; and
• managing the Judge's chambers.

About you

The successful applicant will have a strong academic record in law and will have been admitted to legal practice.

Other experience that is desirable, but not essential, includes: working in a law firm; a higher degree in law; serving on the editorial committee of a law journal; mooting to a high level; working as a research assistant for an academic.

To be successful in the role, you will possess the following:

• a strong academic record;
• demonstrated ability in legal research and writing;
• interpersonal and communication skills;
• integrity, professionalism and good judgment;
• excellent computer literacy; and
• well-developed proofreading skills.

How to apply

Applications comprising a cover letter, resume and a certified copy of your academic transcript should be submitted online, via the Victorian Government Careers website. The closing date for applications is midnight Sunday, 20 September 2026. Applications will be considered as they are received and you may be contacted prior to the application close date.

Applicants are not required to address the key selection criteria separately. Applications should explain why the applicant wishes to obtain the role and how it fits with their present career plans.

Short listed applicants will be asked to prepare a short research memorandum on a topic selected by the judge in the week prior to their interview. They will be expected to discuss that memorandum with the judge in the interview.

For any enquiries regarding this expression of interest, please contact Rebekah Goulevitch (Judicial Services Coordinator, Court of Appeal and Criminal Division) at rebekah.goulevitch@supcourt.vic.gov.au or on (03) 8600 2122.