County Attorney

Raftelis•Orange, VA

1d•Onsite

About The Position

Orange County, Virginia, is seeking a skilled and trusted legal advisor to serve as its next County Attorney. This is a significant opportunity to be the chief legal officer of a growing, historically rich county during a critical period. The County is currently managing a major zoning ordinance overhaul, a regional transmission line proposal, active state legislative advocacy, and the development of a new legal team. The incoming County Attorney will play a key role in shaping the County's approach to these challenges and will provide consistent guidance to a Board of Supervisors and County Administrator who prioritize transparency, responsiveness, and practical legal advice. The County Attorney is responsible for delivering timely legal services and counsel to the Board of Supervisors, Constitutional Officers, the County Administrator, and department heads. This role also extends to advising the County's various boards, authorities, and commissions, such as the Planning Commission, the Board of Zoning Appeals, the Economic Development Authority, and the Orange County Broadband Authority (dba FiberLync). Key responsibilities include managing complex civil litigation, coordinating with insurance providers and outside counsel, preparing and reviewing legal documents, and analyzing laws, ordinances, legal opinions, and contracts. The position also functions as the County's primary risk management officer. As the chief legal officer, the County Attorney reports directly to and is accountable to the five-member Board of Supervisors. The County Attorney’s Office is structured to include a County Attorney, a Senior Assistant County Attorney, and a paralegal. A primary objective for the new County Attorney will be to build out this office by recruiting and developing a cohesive legal team capable of meeting the increasing demands of a county that is evolving while striving to maintain its rural character. The County Attorney is expected to be operational quickly, establishing credibility, fostering collaborative relationships, and offering sound advice on urgent matters.

Requirements

Juris Doctor degree from an accredited school of law.
Current license to practice law in the Commonwealth of Virginia, or the ability to facilitate Virginia bar admission.
At least five years of relevant legal experience.
Strong expertise in land use, zoning, and civil litigation.
Ability to apply knowledge across a broad range of municipal legal issues, including contracts, real estate, employment law, and risk management.
Experience navigating FOIA requests, human resource matters, and procurement processes in a government setting.
Experience as a chief legal officer or senior attorney in a local government setting is strongly preferred.
Candidates with backgrounds in private practice are welcome, provided they can demonstrate a solid understanding of the local government legal environment and a genuine interest in public service.
Experience advising governing bodies.
Experience managing litigation.
Experience drafting ordinances and contracts.
Experience providing counsel on FOIA and procurement matters.

Nice To Haves

Meaningful local government experience.
Understanding of the pace, politics, and legal complexities of serving a county government.
Experience as a chief legal officer or senior attorney in a county, city, or town government is strongly preferred.
Experience as a chief legal officer or senior attorney in a local government setting is strongly preferred.

Responsibilities

Provides timely legal services and guidance to the Board of Supervisors, Constitutional Officers, the County Administrator, and department heads.
Advises the County's various boards, authorities, and commissions, including the Planning Commission, the Board of Zoning Appeals, the Economic Development Authority, and the Orange County Broadband Authority (dba FiberLync).
Manages complex civil litigation.
Coordinates with insurance and outside counsel.
Prepares and reviews legal documents.
Analyzes laws, ordinances, legal opinions, and contracts.
Serves as the County's primary risk management officer.
Builds trust and credibility with the Board of Supervisors, the County Administrator, and department heads by being visible, accessible, and responsive.
Communicates clearly, provides candid and timely counsel, and earns the confidence of elected officials and staff.
Establishes and leads the County Attorney's Office by hiring a paralegal and a Senior Assistant County Attorney.
Shapes the office's culture, workflow, and capacity.
Provides proactive legal guidance on land use, zoning, and development matters.
Works closely with the Department of Development Services, the Planning Commission, and the Board of Zoning Appeals to ensure ordinance amendments are legally sound and effectively implemented.
Serves as the County's subject-matter resource on Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) compliance, human resources law, and procurement.
Provides practical guidance that helps staff navigate FOIA, human resources, and procurement areas confidently and consistently.
Advises on FOIA requests, human resource matters, and procurement processes in a government setting.
Identifies legal risks before they become problems and keeps leadership informed of changes in state and federal law that may affect County operations.
Advises governing bodies.
Manages litigation.
Drafts ordinances and contracts.
Provides counsel on FOIA and procurement matters.