Assistant Attorney General, Transportation Section

About the role

The Transportation Section supports Virginia’s transportation network—roads, rail, port, space, and air—by providing legal services to state agencies including the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV), the Virginia Port Authority, and the Department of Rail and Public Transportation. The attorney will advise on motor vehicle laws, driver licensure, vehicle titling and registration, employment law, contracts and grants, FOIA requests, subpoenas, and the interplay of state and federal law. The role also involves litigation under the Virginia Administrative Process Act, writs of mandamus, warrants in debt, and Section 1983 actions in federal court, as well as review of transportation legislation and drafting official opinions for the Attorney General. This position is based in Richmond and reports to the Chief of the Transportation, Infrastructure & Construction Section.

Responsibilities

• Provide legal advice to the Virginia DMV, Virginia Port Authority, Department of Rail and Public Transportation, and other transportation agencies on motor vehicle laws, driver licensure, ignition interlock, titling and registration, employment law, contracts and grants, general transportation law, FOIA requests, and subpoenas.
• Ensure agency compliance with state and federal law.
• Represent transportation agencies in litigation, including matters under the Virginia Administrative Process Act, writs of mandamus, warrants in debt, and Section 1983 actions in federal court.
• Coordinate with outside special counsel on specialized legal work for transportation agencies.
• Review transportation-related legislation and draft official opinions for the Attorney General.

Minimum Qualifications

• Admission to the Virginia State Bar or eligibility to waive in.
• Minimum of three (3) years of relevant legal experience, including experience in state and federal courts.
• Preferred familiarity in one or more of the following: general civil litigation; criminal law, traffic offenses, DUI (prosecution or defense); administrative appeals.
• Ability to manage a busy and diverse workload, shift quickly between tasks, and handle multiple cases and agency advice simultaneously.
• Strong written and oral communication skills and the ability to collaborate effectively with staff and management at all levels.