Deputy County Attorney

IMPORTANT NOTICE: Arlington County requires all applicants to thoroughly complete each section of the application, including prior job responsibilities, duties, and supplemental questions. While you may attach a resume, it will not replace a completed application. Incomplete applications will not be considered.

Arlington County is seeking a Deputy County Attorney to lead a team of Assistant County Attorneys. The appointee will manage and litigate complex legal matters and provide professional legal counsel and advice to the County Board, County Manager and all other County agencies and staff on matters related to public safety, employment and labor relations, real estate assessments and tax matters, risk management, and other matters as assigned.

A Deputy County Attorney may act for the County Attorney in the County Attorney’s absence. 

Additional responsibilities for this position include: 

• Performing a full range of supervisory duties such as hiring, assigning work, evaluating and managing job performance; 
• Providing interpretation of County, Department, and Division policies and procedures; 
• Managing and conducting litigation on behalf of the County, ensuring thorough preparation and effective representation; 
• Negotiating settlements and contractual terms, and proposing, evaluating, and recommending settlement offers to the County Attorney, County Board, and relevant County staff for matters resolved outside of litigation; 
• Providing legal review and advice to the County’s departments and employees and acting in an advisory capacity at meetings of the County Board and County Commissions; 
• Representing the County and its employees in litigation in state and federal courts as well as before various administrative agencies or assigns the matter to an Assistant County Attorney or outside counsel; and 
• Establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with public officials, staff, and the general public. 

The ideal candidate will have the following: 

• Thorough knowledge of Virginia and federal law and the County’s policies and procedures; 
• Reading comprehension to read complex legal materials; 
• Writing skills to compose and edit reports, proposals, procedures, policies, recommendations, etc.;
• Litigation experience related to defense of § 1983 actions, inverse condemnation, personal injury, workers’ compensation, contract disputes, tax assessments, employment actions, labor relations, and other local government matters;
• Interpersonal skills to resolve complaints, serve as a liaison, and speak in public; and 
• Problem-solving skills to define problems and collect relevant information to recommend policy solutions.

Minimum Qualifications:  

• A Juris Doctor from an accredited school of law;   
• Significant and progressive experience in local government law, municipal law, litigation, or related field; and 
• Must be an active member in good standing of the Virginia State Bar. 
   

Desirable: Preference will be given to applicants with the following: 

• Handling complex litigation related to local government; 
• Previous experience advising public safety agencies;
• Previous employment with a Virginia city or county government; and
• Bar admissions in D.C. and Maryland.

Special Requirements

A letter of interest is required. Please submit a cover letter that clearly demonstrates how your education, training, and experience meet the Selection Criteria, including the Minimum and Desirable Qualifications outlined in the job announcement. Your letter should be specific about your roles and responsibilities in relevant positions and identify the employer(s) where this experience was obtained. 

A resume is required.

Additional Information

Work Hours: The position operates from Monday through Friday, with additional commitments required on certain nights and weekends. This includes responsibilities such as attending Board and commission meetings and occasionally covering a Board meeting independently. 

Other: 

• This role does not provide comp time. 

• The chosen candidate will be required to fill out a SOEI form. 

• The selected candidate will be required to have a county-issued cellphone. 

This position is eligible for County government employee benefits that include health, dental, vacation and sick leave, commuter transportation subsidies, tuition reimbursement, as well as a generous retirement plan.

For more information on Arlington County’s generous benefits and retirement plan, click here.

Arlington County is committed to advancing diversity, equity, access, and inclusion across all our services, activities, and programs. Learn more about our commitment.

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