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Land Use Attorney Jobs in Virginia (NOW HIRING)

Land User Planner

Tysons Corner, VA · On-site

$75K - $85K/yr

Venable LLP's Land Use & Zoning Practice Group seeks a Land User Planner with a minimum of three ... Collaborating with Real Estate attorneys on researching, filing, and processing entitlement ...

Land Development Engineer

Brambleton, VA · On-site

$120K - $150K/yr

Coordinates with civil engineers, land use attorneys, consultants, and Loudoun County staff to ensure all applicable proffer obligations are accurately incorporated into site plans, construction ...

Provide proactive legal guidance on land use, zoning, and development matters. Orange County is in ... The County Attorney will work closely with the Department of Development Services, the Planning ...

Provide proactive legal guidance on land use, zoning, and development matters. Orange County is in ... The County Attorney will work closely with the Department of Development Services, the Planning ...

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Land Use Attorney information

See Virginia salary details

$45.6K

$107.2K

$171K

How much do land use attorney jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 3, 2026, the average yearly pay for land use attorney in Virginia is $107,232.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $79,300.00 and $128,900.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a land use attorney do?

A Land Use Attorney specializes in laws and regulations related to the use and development of land. They help individuals, businesses, and government entities navigate zoning laws, land development codes, environmental regulations, and permitting processes. Their work often involves representing clients before local government boards or agencies, negotiating land use agreements, and handling disputes related to property use. Land Use Attorneys play a crucial role in ensuring that land development projects comply with local, state, and federal regulations.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a land use attorney, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Land Use Attorney, you need a Juris Doctor (JD) degree, state bar admission, and expertise in zoning, real estate, and environmental law. Familiarity with legal research databases (like Westlaw or LexisNexis), GIS mapping tools, and municipal permitting systems is common in this field. Strong negotiation, analytical thinking, and effective communication skills help attorneys advocate for clients and navigate complex regulatory environments. These abilities are crucial to ensuring clients’ projects comply with laws while advancing their interests in often contentious or multifaceted land use matters.

What are some common challenges land use attorneys face when working with local government agencies?

Land Use Attorneys often encounter challenges related to navigating complex zoning regulations and obtaining necessary permits from local government agencies. These agencies may have differing priorities, lengthy approval processes, or shifting regulatory landscapes, which require strong negotiation and communication skills. Attorneys in this field must be adept at building relationships with planners, city officials, and community stakeholders to effectively advocate for their clients’ projects while ensuring compliance with all legal requirements.

What is the difference between Land Use Attorney vs Real Estate Attorney?

AspectLand Use AttorneyReal Estate Attorney
CredentialsJurisdiction-specific law degree, bar admission, specialization in land use lawsLaw degree, bar admission, focus on property transactions and disputes
Work EnvironmentGovernment agencies, planning commissions, law firms specializing in land developmentReal estate firms, private practices, corporate legal departments
Industry UsageUrban planning, zoning, land development projectsProperty sales, leasing, financing, and dispute resolution

While both roles require legal expertise in property law, a Land Use Attorney specializes in zoning, land development, and government regulations, often working with municipalities and developers. A Real Estate Attorney focuses on property transactions, contracts, and disputes related to buying, selling, or leasing real estate. Understanding these differences helps clients find the right legal expert for their specific needs.

What job categories do people searching Land Use Attorney jobs in Virginia look for?

The top searched job categories for Land Use Attorney jobs in Virginia are:

What cities in Virginia are hiring for Land Use Attorney jobs?

Cities in Virginia with the most Land Use Attorney job openings:

Infographic showing various Land Use Attorney job openings in Virginia as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Full Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $107,232 per year, or $51.6 per hour.

Land User Planner

Venable LLP

Tysons Corner, VA • On-site

$75K - $85K/yr

Other

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


Job description

Venable LLP's Land Use & Zoning Practice Group seeks a Land User Planner with a minimum of three years of experience to join the practice in the Tysons, VA or Washington, D.C. office.

In this role the Land Use Planner will analyze recently acquire rural and urban land to ensure that all land use plans are safe, efficient, and environmentally-friendly. As a land use planner, overall, the duties include creating development proposals, processing zoning permits, and mapping out land use logistics. Typically, they will interact with a client to decide how to convert the land for commercial or personal use. After creating a plan, they need to ensure the project's safety and efficiency.

Primary Responsibilities

  • Will entail being resourceful and organized, with knowledge of, and experience with, land use entitlement processes, preferably in Northern Virginia.
  • Performing due diligence investigation; preparation and processing of land use amendment and zoning applications; and representation of projects at all levels of governmental review.
  • Collaborating with Real Estate attorneys on researching, filing, and processing entitlement applications before local jurisdictions.
  • Reviewing architectural and civil engineering designs, while interacting with local government staff.
  • Guide production planning activities ranging from developing and revising production schedules, forecasting trends and customer demand, and managing logistics.
  • Devise appropriate tools to conduct impact analysis on both current planning and area plans for local communities.
  • Direct inbound or outbound logistics operations, such as transportation or warehouse activities, safety performance, or logistics quality management.
  • Create PowerPoint presentations for meetings in business plans and meetings at executive levels.

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree in planning, environmental studies, or a related discipline.
  • At least five years of substantive experience in the applicated area of law.
  • Project management experience in both public and private sectors.
  • Prior professional planning experience, ideally working with local government, is preferred but not required.
  • Demonstrated ability to manage multiple projects, meet deadlines, and work effectively with others.
  • Excellent writing/editing, research and analysis (qualitative and quantitative), communication, critical thinking, and presentation skills.
  • Excellent time-management skills, so as to demonstrate ability to prioritize, meet deadlines, efficiently multi-task and produce a high-end work product in a fast-paced environment.
  • Outstanding organizational and administrative skills.
  • Possess high attention to detail, a strong work ethic, and is self-motivated.
  • Team-oriented and customer-service mindset, with a willingness to be flexible and work overtime, as needed
  • Proficiency in Microsoft Office suite, especially Word and Excel.
  • Handle confidential and sensitive information with the appropriate discretion.,
  • Ability and willingness to work overtime and travel.

The anticipated base salary for this position is $75,000 to $85,000 per year. The actual salary offered will be based on a number of job related factors including, but not limited to, years of related experience, level of education, skills, credentials and certifications, responsibilities and performance.

Venable LLP is an American Lawyer Global 100 law firm headquartered in Washington, D.C., with offices in California, Colorado, Delaware, Florida, Illinois, Maryland, New York, and Virginia. Our lawyers and legislative advisors serve domestic and international clients in all areas of corporate and business law, complex litigation, intellectual property, regulatory matters, and government affairs. Additional information can be found at Venable.com.

Venable LLP does not discriminate on the basis of race, gender, ethnicity, religion, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or on any other basis prohibited by law. To view our inclusion and opportunity policy, please click here.

Contact:

Maria T. Wintermute

Senior Manager, Associate Recruiting

MTWintermute@venable.com