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Assistant County Attorney Jobs in Reston, VA (NOW HIRING)

Deputy County Attorney Arlington County is seeking a Deputy County Attorney to lead a team of Assistant County Attorneys. The appointee will manage and litigate complex legal matters and provide ...

Deputy County Attorney

Arlington, VA · On-site

$174.47K - $270.42K/yr

Arlington County is seeking a Deputy County Attorney to lead a team of Assistant County Attorneys. The appointee will manage and litigate complex legal matters and provide professional legal counsel ...

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Assistant County Attorney information

See Reston, VA salary details

$55.1K

$89.9K

$144.1K

How much do assistant county attorney jobs pay per year?

As of May 28, 2026, the average yearly pay for assistant county attorney in Reston, VA is $89,933.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $71,800.00 and $98,800.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What Does an Assistant County Attorney Do?

An assistant county attorney works to support the county attorney's office by offering representation in court cases involving the county. In this legal career, your duties involve representing the county in criminal cases. Additional responsibilities include providing legal advice to government departments and certain elected officials. You may attend hearings and perform research to assess whether or not to take a case to trial. You may support the county attorney by obtaining or organizing documents and evidence for case filings.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an Assistant County Attorney, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Assistant County Attorney, you need a Juris Doctor (JD) degree, a valid state law license, and strong legal research, writing, and litigation skills. Familiarity with legal research tools like Westlaw or LexisNexis, as well as case management systems, is typically required. Excellent negotiation, communication, and ethical judgment are standout soft skills for this role. These abilities are crucial for effectively representing the county, ensuring compliance with laws, and providing sound legal advice in a government setting.

What are some common challenges faced by an Assistant County Attorney in managing their caseload?

Assistant County Attorneys often manage a diverse and demanding caseload that includes both criminal prosecutions and civil matters. Balancing multiple cases with varying deadlines and complexities requires strong organizational skills and the ability to prioritize effectively. Additionally, the role may involve frequent court appearances, collaborating with law enforcement, and advising county departments, which can create time management challenges. Staying up-to-date with changes in laws and maintaining clear communication with colleagues are also essential to ensure successful case outcomes.

What are Assistant County Attorneys?

Assistant County Attorneys are lawyers who work for a county government, providing legal advice and representation to county officials, departments, and agencies. Their duties often include prosecuting criminal cases, representing the county in civil matters, drafting legal documents, and advising on policy or regulatory issues. They play a key role in ensuring that county actions comply with local, state, and federal laws. The specific responsibilities may vary depending on the size and needs of the county. Assistant County Attorneys typically work under the supervision of the County Attorney or District Attorney.

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

AspectAssistant County AttorneyCounty Attorney
CredentialsJurist Doctor (JD), bar admissionJurist Doctor (JD), bar admission
Work EnvironmentSupport role, assisting in legal cases, office settingLead role, overseeing legal matters for the county, administrative duties
Employer & IndustryCounty government, legal departmentCounty government, legal department
Common Search/ComparisonYesYes

The Assistant County Attorney typically supports the County Attorney by handling legal cases and providing legal advice within the county government. The County Attorney serves as the chief legal officer, overseeing all legal matters and managing the legal team. While both roles require similar credentials, the Assistant County Attorney is a supporting position, whereas the County Attorney holds the primary leadership role in the county's legal department.

What are popular job titles related to Assistant County Attorney jobs in Reston, VA? For Assistant County Attorney jobs in Reston, VA, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Assistant County Attorney jobs in Reston, VA look for? The top searched job categories for Assistant County Attorney jobs in Reston, VA are:
What cities near Reston, VA are hiring for Assistant County Attorney jobs? Cities near Reston, VA with the most Assistant County Attorney job openings:
Deputy County Attorney

Deputy County Attorney

Arlington County

Arlington, VA • On-site

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Retirement, PTO

This job post has expired today. Applications are no longer accepted.


Arlington County rating

8.3

Company rating: 8.3 out of 10

Based on 8 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

185th of 638 rated public administrative organizations


Job description

Deputy County Attorney

Arlington County is seeking a Deputy County Attorney to lead a team of Assistant County Attorneys. The appointee will manage and litigate complex legal matters and provide professional legal counsel and advice to the County Board, County Manager and all other County agencies and staff on matters related to public safety, employment and labor relations, real estate assessments and tax matters, risk management, and other matters as assigned. A Deputy County Attorney may act for the County Attorney in the County Attorney's absence.

Additional responsibilities for this position include:

  • Performing a full range of supervisory duties such as hiring, assigning work, evaluating and managing job performance;
  • Providing interpretation of County, Department, and Division policies and procedures;
  • Managing and conducting litigation on behalf of the County, ensuring thorough preparation and effective representation;
  • Negotiating settlements and contractual terms, and proposing, evaluating, and recommending settlement offers to the County Attorney, County Board, and relevant County staff for matters resolved outside of litigation;
  • Providing legal review and advice to the County's departments and employees and acting in an advisory capacity at meetings of the County Board and County Commissions;
  • Representing the County and its employees in litigation in state and federal courts as well as before various administrative agencies or assigns the matter to an Assistant County Attorney or outside counsel; and
  • Establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with public officials, staff, and the general public.

The ideal candidate will have the following:

  • Thorough knowledge of Virginia and federal law and the County's policies and procedures;
  • Reading comprehension to read complex legal materials;
  • Writing skills to compose and edit reports, proposals, procedures, policies, recommendations, etc.;
  • Litigation experience related to defense of § 1983 actions, inverse condemnation, personal injury, workers' compensation, contract disputes, tax assessments, employment actions, labor relations, and other local government matters;
  • Interpersonal skills to resolve complaints, serve as a liaison, and speak in public; and
  • Problem-solving skills to define problems and collect relevant information to recommend policy solutions.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications:

  • A Juris Doctor from an accredited school of law;
  • Significant and progressive experience in local government law, municipal law, litigation, or related field; and
  • Must be an active member in good standing of the Virginia State Bar.

Desirable: Preference will be given to applicants with the following:

  • Handling complex litigation related to local government;
  • Previous experience advising public safety agencies;
  • Previous employment with a Virginia city or county government; and
  • Bar admissions in D.C. and Maryland.

Special Requirements

A letter of interest is required. Please submit a cover letter that clearly demonstrates how your education, training, and experience meet the Selection Criteria, including the Minimum and Desirable Qualifications outlined in the job announcement. Your letter should be specific about your roles and responsibilities in relevant positions and identify the employer(s) where this experience was obtained.

A resume is required.

This position operates from Monday through Friday, with additional commitments required on certain nights and weekends. This includes responsibilities such as attending Board and commission meetings and occasionally covering a Board meeting independently.

This role does not provide comp time. The chosen candidate will be required to fill out a SOEI form. The selected candidate will be required to have a county-issued cellphone.

This position is eligible for County government employee benefits that include health, dental, vacation and sick leave, commuter transportation subsidies, tuition reimbursement, as well as a generous retirement plan.