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Associate Counsel Jobs in Reston, VA (NOW HIRING)

Associate General Counsel, Corporate

Mclean, VA · On-site +1

$178K - $225K/yr

The Associate General Counsel in this role keeps that footing solid, so Capital Markets and Finance can keep unlocking the capital that moves more people further down their path to financial progress.

Posted today

Showing results 41-60

Associate Counsel information

See Reston, VA salary details

$44.7K

$152.2K

$219.5K

How much do associate counsel jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 9, 2026, the average yearly pay for associate counsel in Reston, VA is $152,183.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $111,800.00 and $197,700.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an associate counsel?

To thrive as an Associate Counsel, you need a strong legal education (JD or equivalent), bar admission, and expertise in legal research, analysis, and drafting. Familiarity with case management software, legal research databases like Westlaw or LexisNexis, and document management systems is typically required. Exceptional communication, negotiation, and problem-solving skills set outstanding candidates apart. These skills ensure effective legal advice, risk mitigation, and valuable support to clients or the organization.

Is associate counsel a good job?

Associate counsel is a legal position that involves providing legal advice, drafting documents, and supporting senior attorneys. It typically requires a law degree and bar admission, with work often involving research, negotiation, and compliance tasks. The role can offer career advancement and specialization opportunities within a law firm or corporate legal department.

What does an associate counsel do?

An Associate Counsel is a legal professional who supports an organization's legal department by providing advice on contracts, compliance, risk management, and regulatory matters. They often draft and review legal documents, conduct legal research, and assist senior counsel or general counsel with litigation and internal investigations. Associate Counsel typically work closely with various departments to ensure the organization operates within the law and helps protect the company from legal risks.

What types of legal matters does an associate counsel typically handle on a day-to-day basis?

As an Associate Counsel, you can expect to work on a broad range of legal tasks such as drafting and reviewing contracts, conducting legal research, assisting in compliance reviews, and supporting senior attorneys with litigation or regulatory matters. You may also interact with various departments like HR, finance, and operations to provide legal guidance and ensure organizational compliance. The role often requires juggling multiple projects simultaneously, making time management and communication skills essential.

What is the difference between Associate Counsel vs Corporate Counsel?

AspectAssociate CounselCorporate Counsel
Required CredentialsJuris Doctor (JD), Bar AdmissionJuris Doctor (JD), Bar Admission
Work EnvironmentLaw firms, legal departments, consultingIn-house legal teams, corporate offices
Employer & Industry UsageLaw firms, corporations, governmentCorporations, large businesses
Common Search & ComparisonYesYes

Associate Counsel typically works in law firms or legal departments providing legal advice on various issues, while Corporate Counsel is an in-house lawyer focusing on corporate legal matters within a company. Both roles require a JD and bar admission, but their work environments and employer types differ. Understanding these distinctions helps job seekers identify the right career path in the legal industry.

What does it mean to be an associate counsel?

An associate counsel is a legal professional who provides legal advice and support within an organization or law firm, often handling specific areas of law such as contracts, compliance, or litigation. They typically have a law degree, pass the bar exam, and possess strong analytical and communication skills to assist senior attorneys and clients.
What are the most commonly searched types of Counsel jobs in Reston, VA? The most popular types of Counsel jobs in Reston, VA are:
What cities near Reston, VA are hiring for Associate Counsel jobs? Cities near Reston, VA with the most Associate Counsel job openings:
Infographic showing various Associate Counsel job openings in Reston, VA as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 67% Full Time, 29% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 97% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 2% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $152,183 per year, or $73.2 per hour.

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 17 days ago


Job description

IntroductionThe National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine value diversity in our members, volunteers, and staff and strive for a culture of inclusion in our workplace and activities. Convening a diverse community to exchange ideas and perspectives enhances the quality of our work and increases our relevance as advisers to the nation about the most complex issues facing the nation and the world.

OverviewRequisition Number: R0002444
Organization Overview
The National Academy of Sciences, the National Academy of Engineering, and the National Academy of Medicine work together as the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine to provide independent, objective analysis and advice to the nation and conduct other activities to solve complex problems and inform public policy decisions. The National Academies also encourage education and research, recognize outstanding contributions to knowledge, and increase public understanding in matters of science, engineering, and medicine.
Summary
Under the direction of the General Counsel, provides legal advice and assistance for the corporate organization (National Academy of Sciences, which includes the National Academy of Engineering, the National Academy of Medicine, and the National Research Council) on a range of legal issues and policy matters. Handles a variety of routine to complex legal projects. Leads or provides legal research to support the National Academies’ internal and/or external activities and interests. Drafts and reviews legal documents. Provides legal interpretation to National Academies’ management and staff in connection with National Academies’ legal and related business issues.
Requiring in-depth legal knowledge, incumbent performs work intellectual and analytical in nature, handling complex legal matters that impact the objectives and operating functions of the organization. Serves as an expert resource to staff on legal issues. Collaborates and works closely with the General Counsel and the Deputy General Counsel. Responsible for mentoring and coaching paralegal staff and assisting with problem resolution.

Responsibilities

Counsel and Advice: Provides advice and counsel on personnel and employment matters, employee benefits, federal and state labor and workplace laws and regulations and intellectual property matters including trademark and copyright matters. Supervises and manages the work of outside counsel on these matters. Provides legal advice regarding contract issues and issues related to the National Academies’ ownership, licensing, or leasing of property. Provides advice and counsel to the Office of Contracts and Grants and the Procurement Office on public contract law and negotiation and interpretation of government contracts, grants, and cooperative agreements and on other public and private awards. Provides legal advice and counsel to program and financial managers on a variety of institutional issues, including tax reporting, intellectual property, insurance, and security issues. Responsible for numerous areas of administrative law, including compliance with Section 15 of the Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA) and restrictions on the handling of classified and sensitive but unclassified information.

Legal Research and Representation: Assists in negotiating, drafting, and reviewing leases, subleases, contracts, and license and permissions related to intellectual property. Analyzes contracts and other legal documents in order to protect the interests of the institution. Develops uniform templates for certain contract and grant matters. Performs legal research and analysis. Reviews and prepares legal reports. Responsible for the oversight and management of the annual charitable solicitation registrations.

Collaboration: Develops and sustains ongoing working relationships and collaborates effectively with colleagues across the organization and with constituents outside of the organization (e.g., volunteers and sponsors) to share ideas and expertise in areas requiring interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary approaches. Fosters an environment that emphasizes and values sharing knowledge across program and administrative organizational groups.

Confidentiality: When handling secure, privileged, sensitive, or confidential information and matters, maintains strict confidence and exercises care to prevent disclosure to others. Accesses privileged and confidential information for work-related reasons only, following the policies and procedures of the organization. Ensures that any privileged, sensitive, or confidential information is securely stored, disposed of, and transmitted according to the Institutional guidance. Ensures procedures are in place to maintain and protect confidentiality and to prevent disclosure. Trains and updates staff/ members on these issues periodically.

Requirements

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

  • Excellent written, verbal, interpersonal, and organizational skills with a proven ability to effectively interact with all levels of employees.

  • Knowledge of regulatory framework appliable to government contractors and the non-profit sector.

  • Demonstrated ability to collaborate and work within a complex organizational structure and with outside counsel and constituents outside of the organization.

  • Ability to manage and maintain privileged, sensitive, and confidential information and corporate matters appropriately.

  • Ability to solve intellectual problems of substantial variety and complexity using originality and ingenuity.

  • Ability to serve as a resource to others in the resolution of complex problems.

  • Ability to operate using substantial latitude for independent judgment and action.

  • Ability to work successfully in a team environment.


Education/Training Requirements:
Juris Doctorate.

Experience: Six years of related professional experience.

Licenses, Certification or Registration: Admission to the District of Columbia Bar.


Other Details

Supervisory Responsibilities/Controls
Reports to General Counsel. General direction is provided.

Work Environment
Hybrid office/telecommute environment is available subject to institutional requirements and supervisors approval; expected onsite percentage is currently 60%. Periodic increases in the workload and deadlines of the office will require additional onsite time. Occasional travel between National Academies’ facilities and to off-site locations. Some business Travel outside of the DMV may be required.

Compensation Range An estimated compensation range for this position is $126,880 - $198,250. Compensation offered to the selected candidate will be based on the candidate’s relevant knowledge, skills, and work experience, commensurate with compensation of current employees in comparable positions with similar knowledge, skills, and work experience, and subject to budget parameters. Note it is not typical for a candidate to be hired at the higher end of the range.  This is a benefits-eligible position. Our Benefits Plan offers competitive and comprehensive benefit options, including medical, dental and vision insurance, life insurance, disability coverage, retirement and savings benefits, leave benefits such as paid holidays and paid personal leave, transportation subsidies, and education assistance.  For more information, please click here. 

Equal Opportunity Employer
It is the policy of the National Academies to recruit, hire, transfer, compensate, and promote people in all job categories and to administer all other personnel actions, terms and conditions of employment in a manner that does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, religion, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable laws. It is also the institution's policy to recruit, hire, promote, and provide reasonable accommodation to qualified individuals with disabilities and covered veterans who are otherwise qualified.