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General Counsel Jobs in Reston, VA (NOW HIRING)

Assistant General Counsel

Mclean, VA · On-site

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Assistant General Counsel, BBB National Programs **This role requires a minimum of three in-office days per week in McLean, VA to perform the essential functions of the position. WHO WE ARE We are a ...

The Government General Counsel safeguards the organization's legal interests while enabling mission execution and businessobjectives. Responsibilities Legal Interpretation & Regulatory Compliance ...

The Government General Counsel safeguards the organization's legal interests while enabling mission execution and business objectives. Responsibilities Legal Interpretation & Regulatory Compliance ...

The Government General Counsel safeguards the organization's legal interests while enabling mission execution and business objectives. Responsibilities Legal Interpretation & Regulatory Compliance ...

Deputy General Counsel

Washington, DC · On-site

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Retirement

  • PTO

The Deputy General Counsel will partner closely with executive leadership and cross-functional stakeholders across development, nuclear operations, engineering, finance, government affairs, human ...

Deputy General Counsel

Washington, DC · On-site

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Retirement

  • PTO

The Deputy General Counsel will partner closely with executive leadership and cross-functional stakeholders across development, nuclear operations, engineering, finance, government affairs, human ...

Assistant General Counsel

Mclean, VA · On-site

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Sunrise is seeking a strategic, business-minded Assistant General Counsel (Transactional) to support our Real Estate, Development, and Asset Management teams. What You'll Do: • Provide legal ...

Assistant General Counsel

Tysons, VA · On-site

$180K - $235K/yr

Assistant General Counsel Department: Legal, Compliance and Internal Audit Employment Type: Full Time Location: Tysons Corner Compensation: $180,000 - $235,000 / year Description Assistant General ...

Assistant General Counsel

Mclean, VA · On-site

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Sunrise is seeking a strategic, business-minded Assistant General Counsel (Transactional) to support our Real Estate, Development, and Asset Management teams.What You'll Do: Provide legal counsel on ...

Associate General Counsel

Arlington, VA · On-site

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Retirement

The Associate General Counsel works with the General Counsel to handle the day-to-day legal affairs of the Air-Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Institute (AHRI), a 501(c)(6) trade association ...

New

Associate General Counsel Council for Responsible Nutrition Washington, D.C. About The Role The Council for Responsible Nutrition (CRN), the leading trade association representing the dietary ...

Showing results 41-60

General Counsel information

See Reston, VA salary details

$60.9K

$157.8K

$277.8K

How much do general counsel jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 12, 2026, the average yearly pay for general counsel in Reston, VA is $157,763.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $112,900.00 and $197,700.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

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

To thrive as a General Counsel, you need a law degree (J.D.), admission to the state bar, and extensive experience in corporate law, regulatory compliance, and risk management. Familiarity with contract management systems, legal research databases like Westlaw or LexisNexis, and specialized compliance software is often required. Exceptional judgment, leadership, negotiation, and communication skills set outstanding General Counsels apart. These skills are critical for providing sound legal guidance, protecting the organization from risk, and effectively supporting business objectives.

What is a general counsel?

A general counsel, also known as a chief counsel or a Chief Legal Officer (CLO), acts as the primary legal advisor to the senior leadership board of a business or law firm. Like corporate attorneys, a general counsel is well versed in laws, regulations, and negotiating skills. However, unlike corporate lawyers, these specialists have a broader knowledge base and must be able to identify legal issues in a variety of industries, including engineering, marketing, finance, human resources, and business policy. CEOs depend on a general counsel to give confidential feedback and suggestions on firm cases and internal attorney activity.

What does a general counsel do?

A General Counsel is the chief lawyer of an organization, responsible for overseeing all legal matters. They provide legal advice to the company's executives and management, ensure compliance with laws and regulations, and manage legal risks. General Counsels may also handle contracts, mergers and acquisitions, intellectual property, and litigation. Their role is crucial in helping the organization make informed decisions while minimizing legal exposure.

What are some common challenges faced by a general counsel in balancing legal risk and business objectives?

A General Counsel often faces the challenge of providing legal advice that protects the organization while supporting its strategic and operational goals. This means carefully evaluating legal risks and proposing solutions that enable business growth without exposing the company to unnecessary liability. Navigating complex regulatory environments, addressing fast-evolving compliance requirements, and communicating legal considerations in clear, actionable terms to non-legal colleagues are all part of the role. Collaboration with executive leadership is essential to align legal priorities with broader business objectives, often requiring creative problem-solving and negotiation skills.

What is the difference between General Counsel vs Corporate Lawyer?

AspectGeneral CounselCorporate Lawyer
CredentialsJD, bar admission, extensive legal experienceJD, bar admission, specialized in corporate law
Work EnvironmentIn-house legal department of a companyLaw firms or corporate legal teams
Employer & IndustryCorporations across industriesLaw firms or corporate legal departments
Primary FocusLegal strategy, risk management, corporate governanceTransactional work, contracts, mergers & acquisitions

While both roles require a JD and legal expertise, the General Counsel serves as the top in-house legal advisor focusing on overall legal strategy and risk management within a company. In contrast, a Corporate Lawyer typically handles transactional work like contracts and deals, often working in law firms or corporate legal teams. The General Counsel has a broader leadership role, whereas the Corporate Lawyer specializes in specific legal transactions.

What are the most commonly searched types of General Counsel jobs in Reston, VA? The most popular types of General Counsel jobs in Reston, VA are:
What are popular job titles related to General Counsel jobs in Reston, VA? For General Counsel jobs in Reston, VA, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What cities near Reston, VA are hiring for General Counsel jobs? Cities near Reston, VA with the most General Counsel job openings:
Infographic showing various General Counsel job openings in Reston, VA as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 81% Full Time, 16% Part Time, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 97% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 2% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $157,763 per year, or $75.8 per hour.

Government General Counsel

LexisNexis Risk Solutions

Mclean, VA • On-site

$207.20 - $384.70/hr

Other

Posted 13 days ago


Job description

Are you a strategic legal leader who can navigate complex government regulations while enabling business success?Do you thrive on advising senior leaders, shaping compliance strategy, and protecting organizational interests in a dynamic government-focused environment?About the BusinessLexisNexis Special Services Inc., is the essential partner in the government assessment of risk. Within our Government vertical, our solutions assist government agencies and law enforcement to drive insights from complex data sets, improving operation efficiency, increasing program integrity, discovering, and recovering revenue, and making timely and informed decisions to enhance investigations. You can learn more about LexisNexis Risk at https://risk.lexisnexis.com/governmentAbout the RoleThe Government General Counsel serves as the organization’s senior legal authority for government-related matters, providing strategic and operational legal guidance to ensure full compliance with applicable laws, regulations, and contractual obligations. This role interprets federal, state, and local laws and government regulations affecting organizational operations; develops and implements compliance policies and procedures; and acts as the primary legal liaison with regulatory agencies. The Government General Counsel safeguards the organization’s legal interests while enabling mission execution and business objectives.ResponsibilitiesLegal Interpretation & Regulatory ComplianceInterpret and advise on laws, statutes, regulations, and government directives impacting the organization’s operations, programs, and contracts.Monitor regulatory developments and assess their impact on the organization, recommending proactive compliance strategies.Ensure the organization remains compliant with all applicable regulatory, reporting, and disclosure requirements.Policy Development & Compliance OversightDevelop, implement, and maintain legal policies, procedures, and internal controls to ensure compliance with government and regulatory requirements.Provide guidance to leadership and business partners on policy interpretation and compliance obligations.Lead or support enterprise compliance initiatives, audits, and risk mitigation efforts.Investigations & Issue ResolutionInvestigate potential compliance issues, regulatory concerns, or alleged violations.Coordinate responses to regulatory inquiries, audits, investigations, and examinations.Recommend and oversee corrective actions to resolve compliance gaps and minimize legal risk.Government & Regulatory InterfaceServe as the primary point of contact for legal inquiries from government agencies and regulators.Prepare and review legal responses, filings, certifications, and reports submitted to regulatory bodies.Advise leadership on regulatory enforcement actions and government communications.Contracts & Legal AdvisoryInterpret, review, negotiate, and advise on government contracts, subcontracts, amendments, and related legal instruments.Provide legal guidance on contract terms, obligations, risk exposure, and dispute resolution.Represent the organization’s legal position in contractual matters and coordinate with outside counsel as needed.Leadership & Enterprise SupportProvide trusted legal counsel to executive leadership and senior stakeholders.Train and advise internal teams on legal compliance, regulatory requirements, and contract obligations.Collaborate with compliance, risk, finance, HR, and operational leaders to support organizational objectives.LNSSI Board of DirectorsServe as legal counsel and secretary to the LNSSI Board of DirectorsCollaborate with Board of Directors committees on organizational mattersAdvise the Board of Directors on active legal/government issues that is or could negatively impact the organizationRequirementsJuris Doctor (JD) from an accredited law school.Active license to practice law in at least one U.S. jurisdiction.Significant legal experience in government, regulatory, compliance, or government contracting environments.Demonstrated expertise interpreting laws, regulations, and government contracts.Ability to attain a Government security clearance.US CitizenshipPreferred RequirementsExperience working with federal, state, or local government agencies.Background in regulated industries (e.g., government services, public sector, healthcare, financial services, defense, or technology).Strong investigation, advisory, and regulatory response experience.Current holder of a TS SCI ClearanceLocation in the Mclean, VA / Washington DC metro area or open to relocationWillingness to come into the officeKnowledge, Skills, and AbilitiesDeep understanding of government regulations and compliance frameworks.Exceptional legal analysis, judgment, and problem-solving skills.Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to engage regulators and senior executives.Ability to manage complex legal matters and operate effectively in a high‑accountability environment.U.S. National Base Pay Range: $207,200 - $384,700. 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