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Legal Counsel Jobs in Reston, VA (NOW HIRING)

Senior Commercial Legal Counsel

Herndon, VA · On-site

$143K - $194K/yr

As Senior Legal Counsel, this attorney will be responsible for commercial legal support for Airbus activities in North America. Primary Responsibilities: Commercial Transactions - 70% * Support Legal ...

We are seeking seasoned in-house transactional attorneys for a part-time role at the forefront of legal AI. This opportunity is for elite lawyers who want to help shape how advanced AI is trained ...

We are seeking seasoned in-house transactional attorneys for a part-time role at the forefront of legal AI. This opportunity is for elite lawyers who want to help shape how advanced AI is trained ...

Provide strategic legal counsel on cybersecurity and incident response for one of the world's most complex technology companies. Amazon's Security Legal team is seeking a Corporate Counsel to advise ...

Provide strategic legal counsel on cybersecurity and incident response for one of the world's most complex technology companies. Amazon's Security Legal team is seeking a Corporate Counsel to advise ...

Sr. Legal Counsel - Commercial

Washington, DC · On-site

$158K - $214K/yr

Exceptional attention to detail and ability to generate creative original legal documents * Hands-on experience, either as outside or inside counsel, to financial services, fintech, or technology ...

LEG Office of the Legal Counsel Schedule: Full time DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES: Join PAHO's Office of Legal Counsel and play a key role in providing expert legal advice on complex international ...

Showing results 41-60

Legal Counsel information

See Reston, VA salary details

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$30

$62

How much do legal counsel jobs pay per hour?

As of Sep 6, 2026, the average hourly pay for legal counsel in Reston, VA is $30.17, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $20.00 and $35.00 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a legal counsel do?

A Legal Counsel is a qualified lawyer who provides legal advice and support to an organization, ensuring its operations comply with laws and regulations. They draft, review, and negotiate contracts, manage legal risks, and represent the company in legal matters. Legal Counsel also advises on employment law, intellectual property, mergers and acquisitions, and other business activities. Their role is crucial in helping organizations avoid legal pitfalls and make informed business decisions.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a legal counsel, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Legal Counsel, you need a law degree, bar admission, and strong expertise in legal research, compliance, and contract drafting. Familiarity with legal research databases, case management software, and regulatory compliance platforms is typically required. Excellent negotiation, analytical thinking, and communication skills help you interpret laws and advise stakeholders effectively. These competencies are vital for mitigating risks, ensuring legal compliance, and protecting the organization's interests.

What are some common challenges legal counsel face when balancing risk management with business objectives?

Legal Counsel often need to navigate the delicate balance between protecting the organization from legal risks and enabling business growth. This involves interpreting complex regulations, providing clear guidance to non-legal colleagues, and sometimes advising on decisions where the legal path may not fully align with business goals. Successful Legal Counsel build strong relationships with internal teams and develop practical solutions that meet both compliance requirements and operational objectives. Open communication and proactive risk assessment are key to overcoming these challenges.

What is the difference between Legal Counsel vs Legal Advisor?

AspectLegal CounselLegal Advisor
CredentialsJuris Doctor (JD), Bar admissionJuris Doctor (JD), Bar admission (often optional)
Work EnvironmentIn-house legal department, corporate settingsConsulting firms, law firms, corporate advisory roles
Employer & Industry UsageCorporations, large organizationsLaw firms, consulting agencies, corporate clients
Common Search & ComparisonYesYes

Legal Counsel typically works within a company's legal department, providing ongoing legal advice and handling corporate legal matters. Legal Advisors often offer specialized legal guidance on specific issues, frequently working as external consultants or in advisory roles. While both roles require legal credentials, Legal Counsel usually has a more permanent in-house position, whereas Legal Advisors may work on a project basis.

Are legal counsel jobs in high demand?

Legal counsel jobs are generally in steady demand due to ongoing needs for legal expertise across industries, including corporate, healthcare, and technology sectors. Employment growth for legal professionals is expected to be around 10% over the next decade, reflecting a consistent need for legal advice and compliance skills.

What are the career paths for legal counsel?

Legal counsel can advance to senior or lead counsel roles, specialize in areas such as corporate, intellectual property, or compliance law, or move into executive positions like general counsel or chief legal officer. They may also transition into roles in management, consulting, or legal academia, often requiring additional experience, certifications, or advanced degrees.

What are the most commonly searched types of Legal Counsel jobs in Reston, VA?

The most popular types of Legal Counsel jobs in Reston, VA are:

What are popular job titles related to Legal Counsel jobs in Reston, VA?

For Legal Counsel jobs in Reston, VA, the most frequently searched job titles are:

Infographic showing various Legal Counsel job openings in Reston, VA as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 85% Full Time, 14% Part Time, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 87% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 10% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $62,762 per year, or $30.2 per hour.

Senior Commercial Legal Counsel

Airbus

Herndon, VA • On-site

$143K - $194K/yr

Full-time

Posted 28 days ago


Airbus rating

8.2

Company rating: 8.2 out of 10

Based on 51 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

38th of 72 rated aerospace companies


Job description

Airbus is committed to providing reasonable accommodations as an Equal Opportunity Employer to applicants with disabilities. If you require assistance or an accommodation to complete your application, please contact us at USCareers@airbus.com
  • Notice: Know Your Rights: Workplace Discrimination is Illegal
  • Notice: Pay Transparency Nondiscrimination (English)
  • Aviso: Transparencia en el Pago No Discriminacion (Spanish)

Job Description:
Please note: This position can be located in Herndon, VA; Miami, FL; Mobile, AL; or any other Airbus location within the United States.
Job Summary:
As Senior Legal Counsel, this attorney will be responsible for commercial legal support for Airbus activities in North America.
Primary Responsibilities:
Commercial Transactions - 70%
  • Support Legal and business teams with commercial and strategic transactions with counterparties in the North America region, including aircraft sales and finance matters, services, and procurement.
  • Ensure close coordination and communication between relevant business units in support of commercial and strategic transactions.
  • Draft and negotiate contracts to support sales, finance and procurement of products and services.
  • Manage cross-functional and cross-jurisdictional relationship between various Airbus commercial teams and North America legal (including Airbus SAS legal and commercial teams, Satair (Denmark) legal and commercial teams, Airbus Latin America commercial teams and Airbus Canada legal and commercial teams).

'One-Roof' Legal support - 20%
  • Provide legal support to:
    • Business functions, including sales, contracts, customer services, engineering and manufacturing
    • Other functions, including finance, procurement, litigation, HR, government relations, safety, quality, information management, R&T, strategy and communications.
    • All sites in North America, including the Headquarters, Final Assembly Lines, Engineering Centers, Training Centers, Material & Logistics Centers and Latin-American & Caribbean Sales office.
    • Airbus affiliates in North America.
  • Ensure protection of Airbus's contractual position, identifying risk factors, and adherence to company policy, as well as applicable laws and regulations. Develop strategies in line with the business requirements to ensure that Airbus' exposure to risk is mitigated.

3. Compliance - 10%
  • Coordinate with the North American Ethics & Compliance team and assist with the company's adherence to Ethics & Compliance policies and initiatives. Provide guidance and support in coordination with the global Legal & Compliance team.

Qualified Experience and Training:
Education:
Required: Juris Doctorate from an accredited law school
Experience:
Required: Minimum of 5 years' experience (in an internationally recognized law firm and/or relevant in-house positions)
Preferred: Experience in aerospace/aviation industry preferred
Licensure/Certifications:
Required: Admitted to the Bar and in good standing with a license to practice law in at least one U.S. State
Preferred: New York licensure preferred
Travel Required:
  • 20-30% Domestic and International

Citizenship:
  • Authorized to work in US

Qualified Skills:
Knowledge, Skills, Demonstrated Capabilities:
Required
  • Strong corporate and transactional experience.
  • Knowledge of U.S. intellectual property, employment laws, litigation and regulatory matters is a plus.
  • Significant experience with international transactions and customers, particularly those involving Europe or Canada, is a plus.
  • Ability to work in a team environment.
  • Significant knowledge of the aerospace industry.
  • Significant experience with finance and commercial transactions.
  • Strong analytical skills and innovative problem solver with project management skills.
  • Ability to work under pressure and effectively manage multiple complex projects and responsibilities with competing priorities and deadlines.
  • Experience working internationally or in a multi-cultural environment is strongly preferred.

Communication Skills:
Required:
  • Fluency in English required. French, Spanish or German is a plus.
  • Strong verbal and written communication skills.

Technical Systems Proficiency:
Required:
  • Gsuite / Microsoft Office (Word, PowerPoint, Excel, Outlook, Adobe)
  • Westlaw

Preferred:
  • Gemini / AI

Physical Requirements:
  • Travel: able to travel independently and at short notice monthly.
  • Vision: able to see and read computer screens and other electronic equipment with screens, able to read documents, reports and engineering drawings daily.
  • Hearing: able to participate in conversations in person and via teleconference or phone and to hear sounds on the production floor in cluding safety warnings or alarms daily.
  • Speaking: able to speak in conversations and meetings, deliver information and participate in communications daily.
  • Equipment Operation (personal computer, telephone, copies, fax machine, and related office equipment and using electronic identification card to enter building floors and internal doors): able to operate most office and personal electronic equipment daily.
  • Carrying: able to carry documents, drawings, electronic equipment up to 15lbs daily
  • Lifting: able to lift documents, drawings, electronic equipment up to 15lbs daily.
  • Pushing / Pulling: able to push and pull small office furniture and some equipment occasionally
  • Sitting: able to sit for long periods of time in meetings, working on computer daily
  • Squatting / Kneeling: able to squat or kneel to retrieve or replace items stored on low shelving occasionally.
  • Standing: able to stand for discussions in offices or on the production floor daily.
  • Walking (include routine walking such as to a shared printer to retrieve documents): able to walk through office and production areas including uneven surfaces daily.
  • Personal Protective Equipment required: Required PPE includes, but is not limited to, Safety Shoes, Safety Glasses, Hearing Protection, Respirators/Masks, and/or Protective Gloves as required by site and/or customer site

Equal Opportunity:
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, national origin, disability, veteran status, age, marital status, pregnancy, genetic information, or other legally protected status
As a leader in our industry, Airbus Americas, Inc. provides relocation assistance for qualified positions and a comprehensive compensation and benefits package.
As a matter of policy, Airbus Americas, Inc. does not sponsor visas for U.S. positions unless specified. Only applicants with current work authorization will be considered.
Airbus Americas, Inc. does not offer tenured or guaranteed employment. Employment with Airbus is at will, meaning either the company or the employee can terminate the employment relationship at any time, with or without cause, with or without notice.
NOTE: Airbus Americas, Inc. reserves the right to revise or change job duties and responsibilities as the need arises. This position description does not constitute a written or implied contract of employment.
This job requires an awareness of any potential compliance risks and a commitment to act with integrity, as the foundation for the Company's success, reputation and sustainable growth.
Company:
Airbus Americas, Inc.
Employment Type:
US - Direct Hire
Experience Level:
Professional
Remote Type:
Flexible
Job Family:
Legal
Airbus provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, genetics, pregnancy, marital status, veteran status or other legally protected status. In addition to federal law requirements, Airbus complies with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment in every location in which the company has facilities. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, demotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, benefits and training. Airbus expressly prohibits any form of workplace harassment based on race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, genetics, pregnancy, marital status, veteran status or other legally protected status. As a matter of policy, Airbus does not sponsor visas for US positions unless specified. Only applicants with current work authorization will be considered. Airbus does not offer tenured or guaranteed employment. Employment with Airbus is at will, meaning either the company or the employee can terminate the employment relationship at any time, with or without cause, with or without notice. Airbus reserves the right to revise or change job duties and responsibilities as the need arises. This position description does not constitute a written or implied contract of employment.
By submitting your CV or application you are consenting to Airbus using and storing information about you for monitoring purposes relating to your application or future employment. This information will only be used by Airbus.
Airbus is committed to achieving workforce diversity and creating an inclusive working environment. We welcome all applications irrespective of social and cultural background, age, gender, disability, sexual orientation or religious belief.
Airbus is, and always has been, committed to equal opportunities for all. As such, we will never ask for any type of monetary exchange in the frame of a recruitment process. Any impersonation of Airbus to do so should be reported to emsom@airbus.com.

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