Associate Attorney – Land Use & Zoning: Arlington County

Position Overview

A premier Northern Virginia commercial real estate law firm is seeking an experienced Land Use Attorney to join its active land use practice in Arlington County. The ideal candidate will possess hands-on experience navigating complex zoning matters and working collaboratively with municipal officials, local government bodies, and client teams across multiple jurisdictions.

Key Responsibilities

Represent clients in land use and zoning matters, including rezonings, special use permits, comprehensive plan amendments, and conditional zoning applications. Interface with and build relationships with all levels of city, town, and county government staff, planning commissions, and elected officials. Prepare, analyze, and present qualitative and quantitative research for land development applications and public hearings.

Attend and participate in evening public meetings, including planning commission sessions, governing body hearings, and citizen outreach forums.

Requirements

Juris Doctor (J.D.) from an accredited law school and an active license to practice law in Virginia. Experience: Proven experience in land use, zoning, and municipal practice within Northern Virginia jurisdictions. Knowledge Skills and Abilities Core Skills: Superior research, analytical, writing, editing, communication, critical thinking, and public presentation skills.

Professional Attributes: Highly detail-oriented with strong time-management skills and the flexibility to attend required evening meetings.

Benefits

$125,000 to $180,000; Mid-year and Year-End Bonuses are performance-based. The salary range for this position is determined based on a variety of factors, including but not limited to, experience, qualifications, skill level, and location.

Benefits

The firm offers a friendly office environment and benefits that include health insurance, 401(k) profit sharing, and paid time off and holidays. The hours are 9:00am – 5:30pm with a one hour lunch. (37.5-hour workweek). Physical Demands This position primarily involves sedentary work in an office or remote setting. The employee is regularly required to sit, use hands and fingers to operate computers and related equipment, and communicate verbally and in writing.

Occasional lifting and carrying of equipment up to 25 pounds may be required. The role may also involve bending, reaching, or kneeling when setting up or troubleshooting hardware. Visual acuity is necessary for prolonged use of computer monitors and diagnosing technical issues.