Section Chief, Firearms Accountability & Industry Responsibility Unit

Virginia Office of the Attorney General; Abingdon (VA); On-site; USD 125,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

The Virginia Office of the Attorney General seeks a Section Chief for the Firearms Accountability & Industry Responsibility Unit. This newly established unit will investigate and pursue civil enforcement actions under HB21/SB27, enforcing standards of responsible conduct in the firearm industry.

The Chief will supervise attorneys and investigators, coordinate with outside counsel, and lead a strategic litigation initiative from Richmond or regional offices, including Abingdon, Fairfax, or

Qualifications

• Seven (7) years of relevant legal experience preferred.
• Litigation experience in criminal prosecutorial or civil affirmative practice.
• Proven managerial experience supervising attorneys and investigators.
• Excellent written and oral communication; strong drafting skills.
• Ability to analyze and manage complex cases; strategic thinking.
• Admittance to the Virginia State Bar or ability to waive in.

Responsibilities

• Oversee the Firearms Accountability & Industry Responsibility Unit and supervise attorneys and investigators.
• Lead on designing and implementing complex investigations and building affirmative cases.
• Manage the new litigation initiative and ensure faithful implementation of HB21/SB27.
• Coordinate with the Deputy Attorney General for Civil Litigation and regional offices.
• Provide strategic leadership to enforce civil and criminal actions against firearm industry members.

Skills

Management experience

Independent and team work

Litigation experience

Interpersonal skills

Written and oral communication

Legal drafting

Analytical thinking

Education

Bar admission to Virginia State Bar

Job description

Title: Section Chief, Firearms Accountability & Industry Responsibility Unit

State Role Title: Senior Assistant Attorney General

Hiring Range: $125,000-150,000

Pay Band: UG

Agency: Attorney General & Dept of Law

Location: Office of the Attorney General

Agency Website: https://www.oag.state.va.us/

Recruitment Type: General Public - G

Job Duties

The Firearms Accountability & Industry Responsibility Unit is a newly established Unit in the Office of the Attorney General. The Firearms Accountability & Industry Responsibility Unit exercises the investigative and civil enforcement authorities vested in the Attorney General by HB21/SB27, the Virginia Firearm Industry Standards of Responsible Conduct, passed by the 2026 Virginia General Assembly. This Unit shall investigate and bring civil enforcement actions against firearm industry members in violation of HB21/SB27.

As Chief of the Unit, the attorney in this position will oversee the Firearms Accountability & Industry Responsibility Unit, including supervising the work of attorneys and investigators and overseeing outside counsel. The attorney in this role is a strong litigator with deep experience designing and implementing complex investigations and building strong affirmative cases. The Chief will also take the lead on building this new litigation initiative, manage its objectives, and ensure the faithful implementation of this important new law.

Applicants should have proven managerial experience, strong investigative and litigation skills, the ability to think creatively and strategically, and excellent written and oral communication skills. A successful applicant in this position may have either criminal or civil litigation experience, experience developing and overseeing investigations and bringing civil enforcement actions, experience in plaintiff-side litigation, or criminal prosecutorial or law enforcement experience.

This position can be based in Richmond, Virginia office or any regional office, Virginia Beach, Fairfax, Abingdon, or Roanoke, Virginia. The position will report directly to the Deputy Attorney General for Civil Litigation.

Minimum Qualifications

• Applicants must have a demonstrated ability to manage the work of others.
• Applicants must be able to work independently and within a team.
• Seeking applicants with a minimum of seven (7) years of relevant legal experience, with salary based on years of legal experience.
• Litigation experience should include either criminal prosecutorial experience or civil affirmative experience.
• Excellent interpersonal skills are required, as well as excellent written and oral communication skills, technical drafting skills, and the ability to analyze and manage complex cases.
• All candidates must be admitted to or able to waive into the Virginia State Bar.

In support of the Commonwealth’s commitment to inclusion, we are encouraging individuals with disabilities to apply through the Commonwealth Alternative Hiring Process. To be considered for this opportunity, applicants will need to provide their AHP Letter (formerly COD) provided by the Department for Aging & Rehabilitative Services (DARS), or the Department for the Blind & Vision Impaired (DBVI). Service-Connected Veterans are encouraged to answer Veteran status questions and submit their disability documentation, if applicable, to DARS/DBVI to get their AHP Letter. Requesting an AHP Letter can be found at AHP Letter or by calling DARS at 800-552-5019.

Note: Applicants who received a Certificate of Disability from DARS or DBVI dated between April 1, 2022- February 29, 2024, can still use that COD as applicable documentation for the Alternative Hiring Process.