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Senior Counsel Jobs in Reston, VA (NOW HIRING)

American Oversight

Counsel/Senior Counsel

Washington, DC · On-site

$157K - $213K/yr

For more information, please visit our website: www.americanoversight.org JOB OVERVIEW American Oversight seeks a Counsel or Senior Counsel to join our team to lead and support high-impact litigation ...

American Oversight

Counsel/Senior Counsel

Washington, DC · On-site

$158K - $214K/yr

For more information, please visit our website: www.americanoversight.org JOB OVERVIEW American Oversight seeks a Counsel or Senior Counsel to join our team to lead and support high-impact litigation ...

BAE Systems

Senior Counsel

Arlington, VA · On-site

$173K - $294K/yr

Guides the successful resolution of legal problems, examines various documents and data and provides counsel to all levels of management, including senior management, on best courses of action.

CloudHQ LLC

Senior Counsel

Washington, DC · On-site

$158K - $214K/yr

... counsel, negotiate and manage commercial leases, SNDAs, and related tenant disputes Strategy and relationships Provide strategic and pragmatic legal advice to executives, senior management, and ...

CoreWeave

Senior Counsel, Commercial

Washington, DC

$158K - $214K/yr

As Senior Counsel, Commercial, you will support CoreWeave's international expansion transactions, with a particular focus on EMEA and APAC. You will focus primarily on structuring and executing ...

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All JobsCounsel JobsSenior Counsel JobsSenior Counsel Jobs in Reston, VA

Senior Counsel information

See Reston, VA salary details

$90.2K

$169.9K

$238.7K

How much do senior counsel jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 9, 2026, the average yearly pay for senior counsel in Reston, VA is $169,876.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $145,400.00 and $197,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the difference between Senior Counsel vs Corporate Counsel?

AspectSenior CounselCorporate Counsel
CredentialsJD degree, bar admission, extensive legal experienceJD degree, bar admission, legal experience, often in corporate law
Work EnvironmentLaw firms, in-house legal teams, consultingIn-house legal departments within corporations
Employer & IndustryLaw firms, corporations, government agenciesPrimarily in corporations across various industries
Search & Comparison IntentLegal expertise, senior legal roles, law firm jobsIn-house legal roles, corporate legal department jobs

Senior Counsel and Corporate Counsel both require a JD, bar admission, and legal experience. Senior Counsel often works in law firms or consulting, providing expert legal advice, while Corporate Counsel is an in-house role within a company's legal department, focusing on corporate law matters. The main difference lies in their work environment and employer type, with Senior Counsel typically in external legal settings and Corporate Counsel within corporations.

What are some typical challenges faced by senior counsel when balancing legal risk and business objectives?

Senior Counsel often navigate the complex intersection of legal compliance and business strategy. A key challenge is providing solutions that protect the company from legal risk while enabling business goals and innovation. This requires strong negotiation skills, the ability to anticipate potential legal issues, and clear communication with both legal and non-legal stakeholders. Senior Counsel must also stay updated on rapidly changing laws and regulations, especially if the company operates internationally.

What does a senior counsel do?

A senior counsel is a lead attorney in a firm or legal department. As a senior counsel, your responsibilities involve providing legal advice, negotiating business terms on behalf of your employer, and representing a company, organization, or agency in court. You may also act as a liaison between a company, a legal team, and agencies such as regulators. In some positions, senior counsels only provide legal guidance and delegate tasks to other junior attorneys or legal staff.

What does a senior counsel do?

A Senior Counsel is an experienced attorney who provides advanced legal advice and representation to an organization or client. Their responsibilities often include overseeing complex legal matters, managing litigation, negotiating contracts, ensuring regulatory compliance, and mentoring junior legal staff. Senior Counsel typically work closely with executives and other departments to minimize legal risks and support business objectives. They may also play a key role in developing and implementing company policies and legal strategies.

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

To thrive as a Senior Counsel, you need deep legal expertise, advanced analytical abilities, and a Juris Doctor (JD) degree with bar admission, often complemented by significant experience in relevant practice areas. Familiarity with legal research databases like Westlaw or LexisNexis and proficiency in contract management or case management systems are typically required. Exceptional negotiation, leadership, and communication skills help Senior Counsel manage complex legal issues and guide teams or clients effectively. These competencies are vital for mitigating legal risks, ensuring compliance, and protecting an organization's interests.
More about Senior Counsel jobs
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 Senior Counsel jobs? Cities near Reston, VA with the most Senior Counsel job openings:
Senior Counsel jobs near you
Infographic showing various Senior Counsel job openings in Reston, VA as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 87% Full Time, 11% Part Time, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 82% Physical, 8% Hybrid, and 10% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $169,876 per year, or $81.7 per hour.

Senior Counsel

National Center for Missing & Exploited Children

Alexandria, VA • On-site

$180K - $190K/yr

Full-time

Posted 20 days ago

Job description

National Center for Missing & Exploited Children
TITLE: Senior Counsel
LOCATION: Alexandria, Virginia
DATE CREATED: July 2026
FLSA: Exempt
DIVISION: Office of Legal Counsel
TRAVEL REQUIREMENT:
Minimal, less than 10%.
HOURS and SCHEDULE:
Generally, Monday - Friday, 9:00am to 5:30pm (minimum 37.5 hours over 5 days per week). Additional hours are required to be responsive to after-hours and time-sensitive deadlines and requests.
REPORTS TO:
Chief Legal Officer
RESPONSIBILITY FOR PUBLIC CONTACT:
Regular contact requiring timeliness, accuracy, courtesy, discretion, and sound judgment.
GENERAL DESCRIPTION:
This position will support the Chief Legal Officer in overseeing basic legal, legislative, and policy functions for the organization including partnering with the Chief Legal Officer to manage the timely execution of deliverables, projects, and workflows concerning core legal, legislative, and policy initiatives and priorities; the development of strategic and consistent legal and policy positions for the organization; the handling of and response to prosecution-related matters and litigation issues; the preparation and review of substantive written materials for public distribution relating to NCMEC's mission and legal, legislative, and policy initiatives; and improvements to and maintenance of NCMEC's legal workflows, corporate documents and communications.
The Senior Counsel will promote a professional image and communicate with NCMEC teams and senior leaders, external corporate, nonprofit, and legal partners, government agencies, law enforcement, and members of the public in a timely, courteous, and professional manner.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
  • Provide strategic partnership to the Chief Legal Officer on emerging and evolving legal, legislative, and policy issues related to NCMEC's mission.
  • Coordinate tracking of global, national, and state legal and legislative/policy trends, issues, and developments related to NCMEC's mission.
  • Support identification of trends, gaps, and opportunities in the legal and policy landscape that are relevant to NCMEC's mission and operations.
  • Partner with the Chief Legal Officer to support organizational governance and policy matters to advance the organization's mission while balancing risk management and compliance issues.
  • Provide legal insight and strategic input on day-to-day management of Office of Legal Counsel functions.
  • Write clearly and persuasively for diverse audiences including NCMEC staff and Board of Directors, lawyers and nonlawyers, members of the public, corporate and nonprofit partners, and legislators/policymakers.
  • Support management of workflows and projects relating to legal, legislative, and policy issues, including creating and overseeing internal legal processes to improve the consistency and accessibility of information and documents within the Office of Legal Counsel.
  • Help ensure all written materials and work product reviewed or issued by the Office of Legal Counsel are accurate, well-sourced, consistent with NCMEC's positions, and reflect the organization's voice and mission.
  • Collaborate with the Office of Legal Counsel team and cross-divisionally within NCMEC on operational, programmatic, financial, and mission-related projects.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:
  • Juris Doctor required.
  • Minimum 3-5 years' experience working at a law firm required.
  • Previous experience with litigation and contract matters required.
  • Familiarity with or working knowledge of general corporate legal matters, including at least one of the following areas: nonprofit and related compliance issues, employment and labor, corporate governance, real estate, intellectual property, data privacy, and criminal law, required.
  • Familiarity with or working knowledge of child protection, online safety, or cybercrime issues preferred.
  • Previous experience drafting legal documents, corporate policies, and/or legislative/policy positions required.
  • Previous experience with general corporate litigation matters, including discovery, document review, and motions practice required.
  • Experience effectively managing multiple deliverables and workflows with differing deadlines and staff relating to various subject areas required.
  • Experience effectively communicating status of projects and consistently managing up and down on workflows and project deliverables required.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:
  • Strong written, oral, and analytical skills.
  • Demonstrated skill and comfort level optimizing delivery of various project outputs, including but not limited to research, drafting, and strategic evaluation and recommendations to address intermittent legal issues on compressed timelines.
  • Ability to produce simple, clear work product for lawyers and non-lawyers based on research, evaluation, and analysis of complex, sophisticated legal and policy issues.
  • Excellent judgment in setting priorities and interacting with internal and external contacts.
  • Strong organizational skills and attention to detail and accuracy.
  • Demonstrated ability to effectively balance and ensure momentum on multiple complex matters and projects with shifting prioritization.
  • Ability and dedication to learning about NCMEC's mission, programs, and operations and operational, technology, legal, and legislative/policy issues relating to child protection.
  • Adaptability, flexibility and ability to work collaboratively and in an individual capacity.
  • Ability to maintain integrity and confidentiality of sensitive material and information.
  • Proficiency using word processing, Excel, and standard office technology programs, as well as discovery and document management systems, and legal research databases.

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