COUNTY ATTORNEY

Hanover County Government; Virginia (MN); On-site; USD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Job summary

Hanover County, Virginia, seeks an experienced legal professional to serve as County Attorney, the county's chief legal officer. Appointed by the Board of Supervisors, the County Attorney oversees legal affairs and represents the County in legal matters.

This leadership role advises the Board, works with county leadership, and supervises in-house and outside counsel to ensure effective legal services for county operations and school systems.

Qualifications

• Graduation from an accredited law school.
• Minimum ten years of relevant legal experience.
• Five years supervisory experience.
• Must be a member in good standing of the Virginia Bar.
• Criminal Records Check and fingerprinting may be required.

Responsibilities

• Provide legal counsel to the Board of Supervisors, County Administration and departments, School Board, and constitutional officers.
• Attend meetings of the Board of Supervisors and other authorities; provide oral/written opinions.
• Represent the county in litigation in state and federal courts and before administrative agencies.
• Prepare or review legal documents for County business and advise on ordinances and real property matters.
• Support proposed legislation in the General Assembly and communicate with legislative delegation.
• Supervise the County Attorney's Office and outside counsel.

Skills

Oral advocacy

Legal research

Supervisory experience

Knowledge of governmental law

Education

Law degree (JD)

Job description

Hanover County is seeking an experienced legal professional to serve as County Attorney. Appointed by and serving at the pleasure of the Board of Supervisors, the County Attorney is the County's chief legal officer, overseeing the County's legal affairs, and represents the County in legal matters.

This is an important leadership and advisory role within a growing and well-established Virginia locality.The successful candidate will serve as a trusted legal advisor to the Board of Supervisors and work closely with the County Administrator, County leadership, constitutional officers, and other governmental partners. The position requires sound legal judgment, the ability to navigate complex and sometimes sensitive matters, and a practical understanding of the environment in which local government operates.

This recruitment profile provides an overview of Hanover County, its government operations, and the community it serves. It also outlines the qualifications, experience, and professional characteristics identified as necessary and desirable for successful performance as County Attorney.

General Description:

This is the Chief Legal Advisor for Hanover County. The County Attorney provides or oversees the provision of legal services and counsel to the Board of Supervisors, County Administration and all County departments, the School Board, and School Administration and other Boards, Commissions and agencies of the County and performs related work as required. The County Attorney also offers a full range of legal services to the Constitutional Officers of Hanover County.

Organization:

The County Attorney is appointed by and reports to the Board of Supervisors. The County Attorney supervises and manages the work of the attorneys and legal assistants in the County Attorney's Office and any outside legal counsel providing services to the clients of the Office.

Essential Functions:

• Provides legal representation and counsel to the Board of Supervisors, School Board, County and School Officials and departments and Constitutional Officers.

• Provides oral and written opinions on legal matters as requested by clients.

• Attends or assigns other attorneys to attend meetings of the Board of Supervisors, School Board, County and School executives, and other Boards, Commissions and Authorities.

• Represents clients of the Office in litigation, including appeals, in state and federal courts.

• Represents clients of the Office before administrative agencies and tribunals, such as the Virginia Employment Commission.

• Prepares or reviews legal documents required for County business.

• Advises on the purchase, sale, exchange or leasing of properties and prepares or reviews associated documents.

• Prepares or approves County ordinances and initiates civil actions necessary to enforce ordinances in court.

• Prepares and supports proposed legislation in the General Assembly and advocates for or against other legislation affecting the County or local governments generally; communicates as necessary with the County's congressional delegation.

• Supervises the work of the County Attorney's office and of outside legal counsel.

• Performs related duties as required.

Working Conditions:

A. Hazards

• None Known

B. Environment

• Office

• Field (Court/Meetings)

C. Physical Effort

• Minimal

D. FLSA

• Exempt

• No Compensatory Leave Accrual

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

Comprehensive knowledge of general and governmental law and of Virginia and federal laws and regulations and their relationship to the authority and functions of local governments and School Boards; ability to interpret and apply legal principles and knowledge to complex legal problems; ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with public officials and the general public; sound professional judgment; effective oral advocacy skills, demonstrated legal research skills; ability to supervise effectively.

Education, Experience and Training:

Graduation from an accredited school of law with a minimum ten years of relevant legal experience and five years supervisory experience is required. Must be a member in good standing of the Virginia Bar.

Special Conditions:

• Criminal Records Check, including fingerprinting

• Must be licensed to practice law in the Commonwealth of Virginia

• Work beyond normal work schedule

• Serves at the pleasure of the Board of Supervisors