General Law Litigation and Transactional Assistant County Attorney V

The County Attorney's Office is seeking an attorney with high-quality legal knowledge and skills in the areas of litigation and government transactional work. More specifically, the applicant should be proficient in general civil litigation, transactional work, legal research, writing, and public speaking, as well as enjoy a wide variety of challenging legal work. The position is in the Office of the County Attorney's General Law Section. 

The successful applicant will counsel and represent the County on multiple subject matter areas, such as erroneous tax assessment, bankruptcy, election law, environmental law, transportation, intellectual property, consumer protection, government regulations, and legislative changes at the state and local levels. Solid litigation and trial experience are required, with a demonstrated ability to handle a case from inception to completion, including managing the discovery process, taking and defending depositions, and motions practice. 

The successful candidate will personally handle litigation in state and federal courts and before state administrative agencies. This position will also provide an opportunity to analyze proposed policy and legislation and determine the possible effect on the County and its programs and provides a great opportunity to work in a collegial atmosphere on a variety of issues involving the interplay of federal, state, and local law. 

This job announcement may be used to fill multiple full-time Assistant County Attorney V vacancies.

For experienced candidates, upon approval of the Director of Human Resources, the salary may start above the midpoint of the L5 scale, beginning at $157,939.18. In addition to excellent array of benefits, there are opportunities for promotion and career advancement. 

The Office of the County Attorney functions as in-house counsel to the Board of Supervisors, the County Executive, and County departments. Led by County Attorney Elizabeth D. Teare—the County’s first female County Attorney appointed in 2016—our office has a distinguished history. Multiple alumni have been appointed by the General Assembly to serve as judges in local courts. Our attorneys actively lead the Virgina State Bar, the Fairfax Bar Association, the Local Government Attorneys of Virginia, and the Virginia Law Foundation. The LGA Cherin Award is named after retired Deputy County Attorney Bob Cherin for his distinguished public service. The Virginia Law Foundation’s Bobzien-Gaither Education Center is, in part, named after former County Attorney David P. Bobzien, who served as the president of the Virginia State Bar and the Virginia Law Foundation.

Fairfax County is the largest jurisdiction in the Commonwealth of Virginia (1.2m+ residents and more than 13,000 employees). and is widely recognized for superior management, earning the prestigious ICMA Certificate of Excellence for 13 consecutive years. County employees are eligible for superb benefits. Highlights of the county's benefits packages are: Retirement: A defined-benefit pension plan plus a deferred compensation plan (457); Health & Wellness: Comprehensive medical, dental, vision, and disability insurance, alongside a robust workforce wellness program and Employee Assistance Program. Generous Time Off: Including paid holidays, paid family leave (up to 6 weeks per 12-month period for qualified events), sick leave, and annual leave.

Note: Applicants must include a writing sample attached to their application to receive full consideration.

(The knowledge, skills and abilities listed in this specification are representative of the class but are not an all-inclusive list.)

Knowledge of the sources of legal reference;

Knowledge of the principles and practices of law;

Knowledge of local, state and federal laws and court decisions affecting the practice of the law

at the county level;

Ability to learn Fairfax County ordinances and resolutions;

Ability to analyze facts and reach logical conclusions;

Ability to express ideas effectively, both orally and in writing;

Ability to maintain effective working relationships with associates, County officials and the

public.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
Must be an active member in good standing of the Virginia State Bar. Any combination of education and experience equivalent to four years of experience as a practicing attorney.

CERTIFICATES AND LICENSES REQUIRED:
Virginia State Bar License in Good Standing (Required)
For specific, specialized County Attorney positions, at the request of the County Attorney, the Human Resources Director may approve consideration of candidates who are members of a Bar Association in a state other than Virginia. For these approved positions, membership in the Virginia State Bar must be obtained within 9 months of hire.
 
NECESSARY SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:

• The appointee to the position will be required to complete a criminal background check to the satisfaction of the employer.
• The appointee to the position must complete a Statement of Economic Interest form prior to starting work.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Experience representing public bodies (local or state governments preferred) in legal matters related to local taxation, contracts, election law, consumer protection, or legislative matters.
• Excellent research, writing, and public speaking skills.
• Three or more years of litigation experience.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Ability to input, access, and retrieve information from a computer. 
• Ability to travel to various locations throughout Fairfax County, Northern Virginia and other areas to attending meetings, conferences and court hearings. 
• Must communicate with others.
• All duties performed with or without reasonable accommodations.

SELECTION PROCEDURE:
Panel interview and may include a practical exercise.
 

Fairfax County is home to a highly diverse population, with a significant number of residents speaking languages other than English at home, including Spanish, Asian/Pacific Islander, Indo-European, and many others. We encourage candidates who are bilingual in English and another language to apply for this opportunity (https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/demographics/fairfax-county-general-overview).

 

Fairfax County Government prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions, age, marital status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetics, political affiliation, or military status in the recruitment, selection, and hiring of its workforce.

 

Reasonable accommodations are available to persons with disabilities during application and/or interview processes per the Americans with Disabilities Act. TTY?703-222-7314. [email protected]. EEO/AA/TTY.

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Requisition 26-01416