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Contract Counsel Jobs in Virginia (NOW HIRING)

Apex Systems

Commercial Contracts Counsel

Richmond, VA · On-site

Advising internal clients on contract provisions and associated legal matters * Editing legal ... Working with fellow Contracts Counsel to develop efficient and effective policies to meet legal and ...

TechWish

Contract Manager

Fairfax, VA · On-site

$91K - $122K/yr

As appropriate, confers with offices of General Counsel, and subject matter experts • Prior to contract execution, meets with Business Units and vendor and reviews key contract terms, conditions ...

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All JobsContract Counsel JobsContract Counsel Jobs in Virginia

Contract Counsel information

See Virginia salary details

$20K

$138.4K

$194.7K

How much do contract counsel jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 5, 2026, the average yearly pay for contract counsel in Virginia is $138,395.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $114,900.00 and $163,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a contract counsel?

Contract counsel are attorneys who are hired on a temporary or project-specific basis to provide legal services, often related to drafting, reviewing, and negotiating contracts. Unlike full-time, permanent staff attorneys, contract counsel typically work for a set duration or for the length of a particular assignment, either independently or through staffing agencies. They can help organizations manage workload surges, fill in during leaves of absence, or provide specialized expertise without the commitment of a permanent hire.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a contract counsel?

To thrive as a Contract Counsel, you need a Juris Doctor (JD) degree, a valid law license, and expertise in contract law, negotiation, and risk assessment. Familiarity with contract management software, legal research tools like Westlaw or LexisNexis, and compliance systems is typically required. Strong analytical thinking, attention to detail, and effective communication are vital soft skills for drafting, reviewing, and explaining complex agreements. These skills ensure legal compliance, protect organizational interests, and facilitate smooth business operations.

How does a contract counsel typically collaborate with other departments within an organization?

As a Contract Counsel, you’ll regularly work with teams such as procurement, sales, finance, and compliance to ensure that contractual agreements meet both legal and business requirements. You may be called upon to review, draft, and negotiate contracts alongside business stakeholders, translating complex legal concepts into practical terms for non-legal colleagues. Effective communication and relationship-building skills are crucial, as you’ll often act as a bridge between legal and operational teams to mitigate risk and facilitate smooth deal execution.

What is the difference between Contract Counsel vs Corporate Counsel?

AspectContract CounselCorporate Counsel
Required CredentialsJD, State Bar AdmissionJD, State Bar Admission
Work EnvironmentLaw firms, in-house legal teams, contract negotiationsIn-house legal departments, corporate offices
Employer & Industry UsageLaw firms, corporations, government agenciesCorporations, large businesses, multinational companies
Common Search & ComparisonContract Counsel vs Corporate Counsel

Contract Counsel typically focus on drafting, reviewing, and negotiating contracts, often working on a temporary or project basis. Corporate Counsel, on the other hand, handle a broader range of legal matters within a corporation, including compliance, corporate governance, and risk management. Both roles require a JD and bar admission, but their work environments and responsibilities differ significantly.

What are the most commonly searched types of Counsel jobs in Virginia?

The most popular types of Counsel jobs in Virginia are:

What cities in Virginia are hiring for Contract Counsel jobs?

Cities in Virginia with the most Contract Counsel job openings:

Contract Counsel jobs near you
Infographic showing various Contract Counsel job openings in Virginia as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 89% Full Time, 9% Part Time, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 84% Physical, 8% Hybrid, and 8% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $138,395 per year, or $66.5 per hour.

Government Contracts Counsel

Kearney & Company

Alexandria, VA • On-site

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 11 days ago

Key responsibilities

  • Provide legal advice and counsel regarding federal government procurement laws and regulations, including the FAR, agency supplements, procurement statutes, regulations, and relevant case law and administrative decisions

  • Review and analyze complex solicitations, requests for proposals, contractual requirements, and procurement strategies to identify material legal, regulatory, compliance, and business risks

  • Advise proposal and business teams on procurement requirements, proposal risk, representations and certifications, solicitation terms, acquisition strategy, and other legal issues arising during the pursuit process

Job description

Kearney & Company is currently seeking a Government Contracts Counsel to join our team. The Government Contracts Counsel will be responsible for the following:
  • The Government Contracts Counsel serves as a strategic legal advisor on government procurement, regulatory compliance, and contracting risk. Reporting to the General Counsel, this position provides legal guidance across the government contracting lifecycle, with primary emphasis on federal procurement and support for the Company's expanding state and local government business.
    The Government Contracts Counsel partners closely with the General Counsel, Director of Contracts, Growth/Business Development, Finance, Pricing, Technology, and operational leadership to identify and mitigate legal and regulatory risk while supporting the Company's strategic business objectives.
    This position requires strong knowledge of federal procurement law, sound legal judgment, and the ability to translate complex legal and regulatory requirements into practical, business-oriented advice.
    Essential Duties and Responsibilities
    • Provide legal advice and counsel regarding federal government procurement laws and regulations, including the FAR, agency supplements, procurement statutes, regulations, and relevant case law and administrative decisions.
    • Review and analyze complex solicitations, requests for proposals, contractual requirements, and procurement strategies to identify material legal, regulatory, compliance, and business risks.
    • Advise proposal and business teams on procurement requirements, proposal risk, representations and certifications, solicitation terms, acquisition strategy, and other legal issues arising during the pursuit process.
    • Analyze organizational conflicts of interest (OCI), procurement integrity, unequal access to information, biased ground rules, impaired objectivity, and related ethics and compliance matters; develop or advise on appropriate mitigation strategies when necessary.
    • Advise the General Counsel, Director of Contracts, and business leadership regarding non-standard or high-risk contractual provisions, including indemnification, limitations of liability, intellectual property and data rights, cybersecurity, confidentiality, audit rights, pricing obligations, termination provisions, and regulatory flow-down requirements.
    • Provide legal support regarding bid protests, procurement disputes, claims, investigations, and other government contracting matters, including coordination with outside counsel as directed by the General Counsel.
    • Monitor and analyze changes in federal procurement laws, regulations, executive actions, agency guidance, and other regulatory developments affecting government contractors; translate developments into practical guidance and recommended actions for the business.
    • Support the Company's expansion into state and local government contracting by researching and advising on jurisdiction-specific procurement requirements, contract terms, certifications, public-records requirements, indemnification, pricing provisions, cooperative purchasing arrangements, and related risks.
    • Advise on government contract vehicles and acquisition structures, including IDIQ contracts, GSA Multiple Award Schedule contracts, GWACs, BPAs, and other federal and state/local procurement vehicles.
    • Develop and maintain legal guidance, policies, templates, playbooks, training, and other compliance resources related to government procurement and contracting risk.
    • Conduct legal research and prepare concise written analyses and recommendations regarding complex or emerging procurement and regulatory issues.
    • Collaborate effectively with the Contracts function while maintaining clear functional responsibilities: Contracts owns contract operations, administration, and routine transactional execution; Counsel provides legal interpretation, legal risk analysis, and advice on matters requiring legal judgment.
    • Escalate material enterprise legal risks, precedent-setting matters, and significant legal or regulatory issues to the General Counsel.
    • Perform other legal duties as assigned by the General Counsel.

Qualifications
    • Juris Doctor (J.D.) from an accredited law school.
    • Active membership in good standing in at least one U.S. state bar.
    • Minimum of eight (8) years of relevant legal experience, including substantive experience with federal government procurement and government contracts law.
    • Demonstrated knowledge of the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) and federal procurement laws and regulations, with the ability to independently research, interpret, and apply complex legal and regulatory requirements.
    • Experience advising on government contracting matters involving solicitations and proposals, contract terms and compliance requirements, procurement risk, and regulatory issues.
    • Demonstrated ability to identify, analyze, prioritize, and clearly communicate complex legal and business risks.
    • Demonstrated ability to translate complex legal and regulatory requirements into practical, business-oriented advice that appropriately balances legal risk, compliance obligations, and business objectives.
    • Strong legal research, analytical, drafting, negotiation, and written and oral communication skills.
    • Ability to independently manage complex legal matters, exercise sound judgment, prioritize competing demands, and provide clear recommendations.
    • Ability to collaborate effectively with executive leadership, attorneys, contracts professionals, and cross-functional business teams.
    • The ability to obtain and maintain a security clearance

    Preferred Qualifications
    • Experience with organizational conflicts of interest (OCI), procurement integrity, ethics, and government contractor compliance.
    • Experience reviewing complex solicitations and advising on proposal strategy, procurement risk, bid protests, claims, or procurement disputes.
    • Familiarity with GSA Multiple Award Schedule contracts, OASIS+, GWACs, IDIQs, BPAs, and other government-wide acquisition vehicles.
    • Experience with government contractor pricing requirements, commercial products and services, cost or pricing data, representations and certifications, and subcontracting requirements.
    • Experience advising on state and local government procurement or demonstrated ability and interest in developing expertise in state and local procurement laws and contracting requirements.
    • Familiarity with government contractor requirements involving cybersecurity, data rights, artificial intelligence, supply-chain risk, and other emerging regulatory areas.
    • Agency procurement attorney
    Prior experience as in-house counsel for a government contractor, in a law firm government contracts practice, or in a relevant federal government legal or procurement position.

#LI-MA1
Overview
Exclusively focused on the Government, Kearney & Company provides financial services, including auditing, consulting, and technology services. Our commitment to our employees and clients as well as to dedication and trust, critical values to our Firm, have led to Kearney's recognition as one of the leading accounting firms in the country. Based on our employees' feedback, we are also consistently rated a Best Place to Work. Employment at Kearney means a flexible, collaborative, and open-minded work environment. We hope it is your "first easy decision." Learn more at www.kearneyco.com/careers.
The expected salary range for this position is between $175,000 and $250,000. This range is representative of base pay only and does not include straight time pay for hours worked over 40 per week, company contributions towards paid benefits, and/or bonuses. Actual compensation (meeting or exceeding the range) will be determined based on specific experience, education, work location, clearance level, and other factors permitted by law. This position is eligible for bonuses (when applicable).
We also offer a competitive benefits package that includes:
  • Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, AD&D, and Disability Insurance
  • 401(k) Retirement Plan and 529 Education Savings Plan
  • Flexible Spending & Health Savings Account
  • Accident, Critical Illness, Hospital Indemnity Insurances
  • Legal Insurance and Pet Insurance
  • Employee Assistance Program, fitness and wellness benefits, and other firm benefits.
  • Paid holidays, vacation, and sick time

EEO Notice
Applicants have rights under Federal Employment Laws
EEO Notice
Work location is subject to change based on client requirements.
Kearney & Company is an Equal Opportunity Employer and will consider all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, national origin, ethnicity, ancestry, genetic information, religion, sex, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, marital status, pregnancy, childbirth, any medical condition related to pregnancy or childbirth, age, disability, protected veteran status, relationship or association to a protected veteran, or any other characteristic protected by local, state or federal laws, rules or regulation. Click here for more information on Kearney's EEO Policy.
If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, regarding accessibility of our website, a modification or adjustment of the job application or interview process due to a disability, please call 703-236-2391 or email accommodations@kearneyco.com. Please be advised that this contact information is for accommodation requests only and cannot be used to inquire about the status of an application.
Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)
FMLA is designed to help employees balance their work and family responsibilities by allowing them to take reasonable unpaid leave for certain family and medical reasons. Kearney & Company provides eligible employees with up to 12 weeks of unpaid, job-protected leave per year. Military family leave is available for up to 26 weeks under FMLA. Click here to learn more.
Employee Polygraph Protection Act (EPPA)
The EPPA prohibits most private employers from using lie detector tests either for pre-employment screening or during the course of employment. Kearney & Company adheres all provisions of the EPPA. Click here to learn more.

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