Regional Legal Counsel

Commonwealth of VA Careers; Mechanicsville (VA); On-site; USD 110,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

PTO and holidays

Job summary

The Virginia Alcoholic Beverage Control Authority seeks a Regional Legal Counsel to join its Office of Legal Counsel. This in-house attorney provides representation and counsel across regulatory and legal matters for the Authority.

The role involves advising business units, drafting and negotiating legal documents, and representing the Authority in administrative hearings and court proceedings, with emphasis on regulatory compliance and policy guidance.

Qualifications

• Active member in good standing with the Virginia State Bar.
• 0-2 years experience as a practicing attorney.
• Demonstrated knowledge of the legal system, the Code of Virginia, and legal and policy research.
• Ability to independently conduct legal research and analysis and provide sound legal guidance.
• Demonstrated ability to represent clients before a judicial officer or tribunal.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to draft legal documents and communicate complex legal issues to diverse audiences.
• Ability to manage multiple assignments, analyze complex issues, and maintain effective working relationships with internal and external stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Provides day-to-day legal advice and counsel to Authority business units.
• Drafts, reviews, and negotiates legal documents, including contracts, leases, pleadings, briefs, memoranda of law, settlement agreements, and other legal correspondence.
• Represents the Authority in administrative hearings and legal proceedings and appears before regulatory bodies and in state and federal court.
• Participates in mediations and settlement conferences and negotiates settlements on behalf of the Authority.
• Researches complex or novel legal issues affecting Authority operations and prepares legal memoranda and recommendations.
• Reviews and interprets statutes, regulations, policies, and guidance applicable to Authority operations and programs.
• Reviews proposed Authority regulations, guidance documents, and policies for legal compliance and Administrative Process Act (APA) procedural requirements.
• Advises on public records law obligations and assists with the review of public records requests and litigation holds.
• Coordinates with the Office of the Attorney General and city or county attorneys on matters within their concurrent jurisdiction.
• Briefs Authority leadership and appointed board members on legal risks and responsibilities, pending litigation, and regulatory developments.
• Engages with stakeholders on matters impacting the alcohol industry and represents the Authority at conferences and other professional engagements, including participation on panels.
• Responds to inquiries from the public, attorneys, licensees, applicants, objectors, and other interested parties regarding pending cases, procedures, ABC laws, regulations, policies, and procedures.
• Participates in the Regulatory Review Committee and Product Approval Review Group.
• Performs additional duties as assigned.

Skills

Virginia Bar admission

Legal research

Legal analysis

Client representation

Written communication

Verbal communication

Stakeholder management

Job description

Job Summary

The Virginia Alcoholic Beverage Control Authority (Virginia ABC) is seeking an Regional Legal Counsel to join its Office of Legal Counsel. This position provides in-house legal representation and counsel to the Authority across a variety of legal and regulatory matters under the guidance of senior attorneys.

The Regional Legal Counsel will advise Authority business units, draft and review legal documents, represent the Authority in administrative and legal proceedings, and provide guidance on regulatory compliance and other legal matters impacting Authority operations.

Areas of Responsibility

• Provides day-to-day legal advice and counsel to Authority business units.
• Drafts, reviews, and negotiates legal documents, including contracts, leases, pleadings, briefs, memoranda of law, settlement agreements, and other legal correspondence.
• Represents the Authority in administrative hearings and legal proceedings and appears before regulatory bodies and in state and federal court.
• Participates in mediations and settlement conferences and negotiates settlements on behalf of the Authority.
• Researches complex or novel legal issues affecting Authority operations and prepares legal memoranda and recommendations.
• Reviews and interprets statutes, regulations, policies, and guidance applicable to Authority operations and programs.
• Reviews proposed Authority regulations, guidance documents, and policies for legal compliance and Administrative Process Act (APA) procedural requirements.
• Advises on public records law obligations and assists with the review of public records requests and litigation holds.
• Coordinates with the Office of the Attorney General and city or county attorneys on matters within their concurrent jurisdiction.
• Briefs Authority leadership and appointed board members on legal risks and responsibilities, pending litigation, and regulatory developments.
• Engages with stakeholders on matters impacting the alcohol industry and represents the Authority at conferences and other professional engagements, including participation on panels.
• Responds to inquiries from the public, attorneys, licensees, applicants, objectors, and other interested parties regarding pending cases, procedures, ABC laws, regulations, policies, and procedures.
• Participates in the Regulatory Review Committee and Product Approval Review Group.
• Performs additional duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

• Active member in good standing with the Virginia State Bar.
• 0-2 years experience as a practicing attorney.
• Demonstrated knowledge of the legal system, the Code of Virginia, and legal and policy research.
• Ability to independently conduct legal research and analysis and provide sound legal guidance.
• Demonstrated ability to represent clients before a judicial officer or tribunal.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to draft legal documents and communicate complex legal issues to diverse audiences.
• Ability to manage multiple assignments, analyze complex issues, and maintain effective working relationships with internal and external stakeholders.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working with a law enforcement agency.
• Experience working as in-house counsel.
• Knowledge of the Virginia Alcoholic Beverage Control Act, alcohol regulation, and applicable federal alcohol laws.
• Knowledge of administrative law, including APA rulemaking and adjudication, agency enforcement authority, administrative hearings, and judicial review standards.
• Knowledge of FOIA and VFOIA, including applicable exemptions.
• Familiarity with constitutional law issues related to Authority policymaking, alcohol regulation, law enforcement, and §1983 litigation.

We Offer

• Excellent work/life balance
• Paid Time Off (PTO) earned biweekly, plus 14 paid holidays
• Affordable healthcare with employer contributions
• Virginia Retirement System (VRS) benefits
• College Tuition Reimbursement program