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Assistant City Attorney Jobs in Virginia (NOW HIRING)

Assistant City Attorney

Richmond, VA · On-site

$92K - $153K/yr

T uition Assistance Program Description The City of Richmond seeks an Assistant City Attorney in the civil litigation division primarily to assist the City's police department and to handle cases in ...

Assistant City Attorney

Richmond, VA · On-site

$92K - $153K/yr

Virginia Retirement System (VRS) Language Incentive Referral Bonus Tuition Assistance Program Description The City of Richmond seeks an Assistant City Attorney in the civil litigation division ...

Legal Assistant I

Danville, VA · On-site

$36K - $63K/yr

City Attorney Opening Date: 08/06/2026 Closing Date: Continuous Description Provides responsible ... Serves as backup to the Legal Assistant II. ADDITIONAL DUTIES * Assists with the duties of the ...

Coordinates purchasing contract process between the City Attorney's office and Finance. Manages and ... Serves as backup to the Legal Assistant II. ADDITIONAL DUTIES Assists with the duties of the Legal ...

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Assistant City Attorney information

See Virginia salary details

$55K

$114.7K

$185.4K

How much do assistant city attorney jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 25, 2026, the average yearly pay for assistant city attorney in Virginia is $114,729.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $88,700.00 and $136,300.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is an assistant city attorney?

Assistant City Attorneys are legal professionals who work for a city’s legal department, providing legal advice and representation to the city, its officials, and departments. Their responsibilities often include drafting and reviewing ordinances, representing the city in civil and criminal cases, and advising on municipal law matters. They help ensure that city operations comply with local, state, and federal laws, and may also prosecute violations of city codes. Assistant City Attorneys play a crucial role in supporting city governance and protecting the city's legal interests.

What are some typical challenges faced by an assistant city attorney in municipal legal work?

Assistant City Attorneys often handle a diverse caseload that can include drafting ordinances, advising city departments, and representing the city in litigation. A common challenge is balancing immediate legal issues—such as responding to urgent public records requests or last-minute council agenda items—with long-term projects like policy development. Additionally, they must navigate complex relationships among elected officials, city staff, and the public, requiring strong communication and diplomatic skills. Adapting quickly to evolving legal standards and staying informed about changes in municipal law is also essential for success in this role.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an assistant city attorney, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Assistant City Attorney, you need a Juris Doctor (JD) degree, bar admission, and strong knowledge of municipal law, litigation, and legal research. Familiarity with legal research platforms like Westlaw or LexisNexis, as well as proficiency in case management systems, is typically required. Excellent written and verbal communication, negotiation, and ethical judgment are crucial soft skills for this position. These competencies ensure effective legal counsel, risk mitigation, and strong representation of the city’s interests in legal matters.

What is the difference between Assistant City Attorney vs City Attorney?

AspectAssistant City AttorneyCity Attorney
CredentialsJuris Doctor (JD), State Bar licenseJuris Doctor (JD), State Bar license, often more experience
Work EnvironmentSupports city legal team, handles specific legal mattersLeads legal department, oversees all legal functions for the city
Employer & IndustryMunicipal government, public sectorMunicipal government, public sector
Common Search/ComparisonAssistant City Attorney vs City Attorney

The Assistant City Attorney typically supports the City Attorney by handling specific legal tasks and cases within the municipal government. The City Attorney serves as the head of the city's legal department, providing overall legal guidance and leadership. While both roles require similar legal credentials, the City Attorney usually has more experience and responsibilities, overseeing the entire legal operations of the city.

What are popular job titles related to Assistant City Attorney jobs in Virginia?

For Assistant City Attorney jobs in Virginia, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Assistant City Attorney jobs in Virginia look for?

The top searched job categories for Assistant City Attorney jobs in Virginia are:

What cities in Virginia are hiring for Assistant City Attorney jobs?

Cities in Virginia with the most Assistant City Attorney job openings:

What are popular job titles related to Assistant City Attorney jobs in VA?

For Assistant City Attorney jobs in VA, the most frequently searched job titles are:

Infographic showing various Assistant City Attorney job openings in Virginia as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 61% Full Time, 36% Part Time, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 96% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 3% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $114,729 per year, or $55.2 per hour.

$63K - $104K/yr

Full-time

Re-posted 10 days ago


Job description

Description General Description: The purpose of this job within the organization is to assist the City Attorney in providing excellent legal representation for the City of Petersburg. In accordance with Section 2-192 of the City Code, this position works under the supervision and serves at the pleasure of the City Attorney. This position is not covered under the City's Grievance Policy.

Duties and Responsibilities: The functions listed below are those that represent the majority of the time spent working in this job. The City Attorney may assign additional functions related to the type of work of the job as necessary. Essential Functions Provides support and assistance as instructed by the City Attorney in his efforts to provide legal representation of the City of Petersburg.

Prepares, researches and drafts legal documents as assigned including but not limited to deeds, ordinances, resolutions, and contracts. Prepares legal memoranda on complex legal issues. Provides legal advice in matters as assigned to various City employees and constitutional officers.

Attends meetings and other functions as assigned by the City Attorney. Provides representation to the City on assigned cases in various civil matters including but not limited to Building Code Enforcement; Taxation; Personnel Matters; Land Use; Zoning; FOIA and other areas. Provides representation to the City on assigned cases in various administrative proceedings including but not limited to Employee Grievances, ABC and other State Licensure Proceedings; State Technical Review Board proceedings; EEOC; DEQ; SCC, and other areas.

Prosecutes cases involving specified misdemeanor offenses and violations of City Code as assigned. Additional Duties: Performs all tasks as directed or requested by the City Attorney in support of his efforts to provide quality legal services to t he City of Petersburg, Virginia. Responsibilities, Requirements and Impacts Data Responsibility: The Assistant City Attorney will be exposed and have access to highly sensitive and confidential material.

Will be required to maintain the highest ethical and moral standards. People Responsibility: May be assigned to counsels or instructs/trains others through explanation, demonstration and supervised practice to make recommendations based on technical expertise. Asset Responsibility: May be assigned cases or assignments having high asset responsibility in relation to the receipt and proper stewardship of substantial City funds or valuable City property.

Mathematical Requirements: Uses addition and subtraction, multiplication and division and/or calculates ratios, rates and percents. May require some complex financial calculations relating to Finance and Tax matters. Communications Requirements: Reads and interprets professional materials, involving advanced bodies of knowledge related to politics, economics, technology, law, medicine and other complex disciplines; writes extremely complex papers and reports; speaks to high level scientific, political, economic, legal, medical or other such groups.

Judgment Requirements: Expected to exercise a high level of good judgment in assigned tasks. Complexity of Work: Performs work involving the application of principles of logical thinking, scientific, medical, or legal practice to diagnose or define problems, collect data and solve abstract problems with widespread unit or organization impact; requires sustained, intense concentration for accurate results and continuous exposure to unusual pressures. Impact of Errors: The impact of errors is extremely serious -- affects entire organization and the general public.

Physical Demands: Performs sedentary work that involves walking or standing some of the time and involves exerting up to 10 pounds of force on a regular and recurring basis or sustained keyboard operations. Equipment Usage: Handles computers and standard office equipment. Qualifications Minimum Education and Experience Requirements: Requires a Juris Doctor Degree from an accredited law school.

Experience practicing law and considerable knowledge of municipal law, contracts, administrative processes and real property. An equivalent combination of training and experience (as approved by the department) may be used to meet the minimum qualifications of the position. Special Certifications and Licenses: License to practice law in the Commonwealth of Virginia and be in good standing with the Virginia State Bar.

At his discretion, the City Attorney may accept candidates contingent upon satisfactory receipt of Virginia State Bar licensure within a specified period of time. Must possess and maintain a valid Virginia Driver's license. Additional Requirements The City of Petersburg Values Veterans.

We are an official V3 Certified Company. The City of Petersburg is a proud partner with the US Army Partnership for Your Success PaYS Program Americans with Disabilities Act Compliance: The City of Petersburg is an Equal Opportunity Employer. ADA requires the City of Petersburg to provide adequate accommodations to qualified persons with disabilities.

Prospective and current employees are encouraged to discuss ADA accommodations with management.