Land Use Attorney

Land Use Attorney

Established (40+ Years) and GROWING, Mid-Sized Real Estate Law Firm Seeking Land Use Attorney in Arlington, Virginia!

An established and highly regarded Virginia law firm with over 40 years in practice is seeking a Land Use Attorney to join its Arlington, Virginia office in a hybrid capacity. The firm is open to Junior Attorneys with 1-2+ years of land use and zoning experience, as well as Senior Attorneys with substantial experience in the field. This role will involve rezonings, special exceptions, comprehensive plan amendments, site plan approvals, zoning interpretations, development entitlements, local government proceedings, and related real estate development matters throughout Northern Virginia and the Commonwealth. The position offers direct client contact, meaningful responsibility, and the opportunity to work with prominent developers, property owners, businesses, and institutions on sophisticated development projects.

Offer

• Salary range: $150,000-$185,000+, contingent on experience
• Performance-based bonuses paid at midyear and year-end
• Additional year-end discretionary bonus opportunity
• Hybrid work arrangement connected to the Arlington office, with specific scheduling expectations provided during the interview process
• Opportunity to work on significant development and redevelopment projects throughout Northern Virginia and other Virginia jurisdictions
• Direct interaction with developers, property owners, businesses, local government officials, planning staff, and community stakeholders
• Substantial responsibility for land use applications, public hearings, and entitlement strategy
• Stable platform with a strong reputation in Virginia land use, zoning, and real estate development law
• Collaborative environment with access to experienced land use attorneys and related real estate professionals
• Professional development and advancement opportunities for junior, mid-level, and senior attorneys
• Comprehensive benefits package, with specific medical, retirement, leave, and insurance details provided during the interview process

Qualifications

• Active membership in good standing with the Virginia State Bar is required
• Juris Doctor degree from an accredited law school is required
• At least 1 to 2 years of land use, zoning, real estate development, municipal, or closely related legal experience is preferred
• Experience with rezonings, special exceptions, special use permits, site plans, subdivision matters, comprehensive plan amendments, or zoning interpretations is preferred
• Familiarity with Virginia land use law, local zoning ordinances, comprehensive plans, and governmental approval processes is preferred
• Experience working with local planning departments, zoning administrators, planning commissions, boards of zoning appeals, county boards, or city councils is beneficial
• Understanding of the land development process and the relationship among zoning, transportation, environmental, engineering, and community considerations is beneficial
• Strong legal research, writing, analytical, negotiation, and public speaking skills are required
• Ability to communicate complex land use issues clearly to clients, government officials, consultants, and community stakeholders is required
• Strong organizational skills and the ability to coordinate multiple applications, hearings, deadlines, and project teams are required
• Sound professional judgment and a practical understanding of client business objectives are required
• Ability to work independently while collaborating with attorneys, planners, engineers, architects, traffic consultants, and other development professionals is required
• Commitment to responsive client service and long-term professional growth within the firm's land use practice is required

Responsibilities

• Advise developers, property owners, businesses, institutions, and other clients regarding land use, zoning, entitlement, and development matters
• Manage or assist with rezoning applications, special exceptions, special use permits, comprehensive plan amendments, site plans, subdivision matters, zoning appeals, and related approvals
• Analyze Virginia statutes, local zoning ordinances, comprehensive plans, proffer policies, development conditions, and administrative interpretations
• Conduct zoning and entitlement due diligence for acquisitions, developments, redevelopments, and other real estate transactions
• Develop entitlement strategies that account for legal requirements, political considerations, community concerns, project schedules, and client business objectives
• Prepare applications, legal memoranda, opinion letters, presentation materials, proposed development conditions, proffers, ordinances, and other land use documents
• Represent clients before planning commissions, boards of zoning appeals, county boards, city councils, and other administrative or legislative bodies
• Meet with local government officials, planning staff, zoning administrators, transportation personnel, and other agency representatives
• Coordinate with architects, civil engineers, land planners, traffic consultants, environmental professionals, and other members of multidisciplinary development teams
• Participate in community meetings and communicate with civic associations, neighboring property owners, and other stakeholders regarding proposed projects
• Negotiate development conditions, proffers, infrastructure commitments, and other approval-related terms
• Monitor application schedules, public hearing dates, submission requirements, and governmental review deadlines
• Maintain regular communication with clients regarding project status, entitlement strategy, material risks, and recommended next steps
• Support land use litigation, zoning appeals, administrative challenges, and related disputes when necessary
• Build trusted relationships with clients, consultants, governmental representatives, and professionals throughout the Virginia development community
• Contribute to client development, professional organizations, industry events, and the continued growth of the firm's land use and zoning practice

$150,000.00 - $185,000.00 Annually