Associate Attorney - Land Use and Zoning

About the role

An established commercial real estate law firm based in Arlington, Virginia, with over 40 years in practice is seeking an Associate Attorney with land use and zoning experience to join its busy Arlington team in‑office. The role involves sophisticated rezonings, special use permits, comprehensive plan amendments, conditional zoning matters, and local government proceedings throughout Northern Virginia, requiring regular interaction with municipal staff, elected officials, planning commissions, governing bodies, and community stakeholders across multiple jurisdictions.

Responsibilities

• Manage land use and zoning applications from initial analysis through governmental review and approval
• Prepare and process rezoning applications, special use permits, comprehensive plan amendments, conditional zoning matters, and related submissions
• Research and analyze applicable zoning ordinances, comprehensive plans, land use policies, regulations, and governmental procedures
• Draft persuasive applications, legal memoranda, correspondence, presentations, zoning conditions, and supporting materials
• Represent clients before planning commissions, governing bodies, municipal agencies, community organizations, and other stakeholders
• Build productive working relationships with local government staff, elected officials, consultants, clients, and community representatives
• Attend evening public hearings, planning commission meetings, governing body meetings, and citizen outreach sessions
• Advise commercial real estate clients regarding land use strategy, entitlement risks, approval processes, and regulatory compliance
• Coordinate with engineers, architects, planners, transportation consultants, and other professionals throughout the entitlement process
• Maintain accurate matter records, meet filing deadlines, and manage multiple active projects efficiently

Qualifications

• Active membership in good standing with the Virginia State Bar
• Juris Doctor degree from an accredited law school
• Experience handling zoning and land use matters, including rezonings, special use permits, comprehensive plan amendments, and conditional zoning applications
• Ability to work effectively with city, town, and county government personnel and elected officials across multiple jurisdictions
• Excellent legal writing, editing, research, qualitative and quantitative analysis, communication, critical‑thinking, and presentation skills
• Strong attention to detail and excellent time‑management and organizational abilities
• Willingness and ability to attend evening meetings involving planning commissions, governing bodies, and citizen outreach initiatives

Pay

• Salary range: $125,000‑$180,000+ (contingent on experience)
• Performance‑based mid‑year and year‑end bonuses

Benefits

• Paid time off and holiday pay
• Medical and dental insurance
• Group life insurance
• Short‑term and long‑term disability insurance
• 401(k) savings and profit‑sharing plan