Principal Attorney - County Council, Council Office

Howard County:
Conveniently located in the heart of central Maryland between Baltimore and Washington Howard County offers the charm of a historic past mixed with the excitement of a cosmopolitan community.

Howard County Government:
Howard County Government is a leader in innovation best practices and sustainability. It is consistently ranked as one of the best places to live and work in the 2025 Howard County Government received a record-breaking 83 Achievement Awards from the National Association of Counties (NACo) the most awards in the state of Maryland and the fifth highest in the nation as compared to more than 3000 counties. NACo Achievement Awards are the premier national honor to recognize innovative and transformative programs that provide new services for county residents improve existing programs upgrade working conditions and enhance citizen participation and public policy making.

What are we looking for
We are looking for outstanding individuals to join our team and contribute to excellence in Howard County operations.

What youll like most about working at Howard County Government:

• We are committed to workplace excellence in every area of County government.
• We have a highly talented diverse and inclusive workplace. Your input will not only be heard but it will be encouraged!
• We offer competitive compensation and great benefits including medical retirement and wellness programs.
• As a member of the Howard County Government team youll be helping drive our culture and directly impact what makes us an amazing place to work.

Include the following. Other related duties may be assigned.

• Provide legal counsel for quasi-judicial proceedings:
  • Apply advanced knowledge of Maryland planning zoning land-use and administrative lawincluding the Open Meetings Act rules of evidence and boards rules of procedure during administrative agency appears involving subject matter including conditional uses variances change-or-mistake petitions development plan approvals notice of violation situations and administrative appeals heard by the Board of Appeals or the Zoning Board.
  • Attend all Board of Appeals and Zoning Board hearings or meetings as required by Howard County Charter or Code and deliver real-time legal guidance as issues arise.
• Draft and manage board actions:
  • Research draft and edit proposed Decisions and Orders; coordinate Office of Law review to ensure form and legal sufficiency and oversee issuance of final documents.
  • Prepare and issue subpoenas or other legal documents on behalf of the boards as required.
• Oversee appellate record preparation:
  • Supervise the production of certified hearing transcripts exhibit compilations and related documentation for judicial review; collaborate with the Office of Law on litigation defending board decisions.
• Provide written legal opinions and options:
  • Deliver timely memoranda briefing papers and other written analyses advising the boards on case-specific questions and procedural matters.
• Coordinate interagency relationships:
  • Serve as primary liaison between the boards and the Hearing Examiner County Council Office of Law and relevant County departments (Planning & Zoning; Police; Fire & Rescue Services; Inspections Licenses & Permits; Health; Finance; Human Resources; Budget; Purchasing; Technology & Communications) to ensure efficient case processing and policy implementation.
• Support legislative and policy development:
  • Research policy and legal issues; draft ordinances amendments and regulations affecting land use and board operations; and facilitate interdepartmental review with County agencies and the Office of Law.
  • Analyze County Council and State legislation advise on potential impacts help shape the Councils position and draft or review testimony for hearings.
• Communicate with board members and stakeholders:
  • Respond to inquiries from Board of Appeals and Zoning Board members; prepare clear concise explanations of legal standards procedural options and legislative developments.

Law Degree and seven (7) years of related experience and admitted to the Bar of Maryland.

PREFERRED EDUCATION KNOWLEDGE SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

• Excellent writing analytical oral communication and organizational skills with the ability to work well under pressure and deadlines.
• A strong work ethic and ability to work both individually and with a team are a must.
• Skill in word processing and database programs.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with others including attorneys paralegals and County personnel.
• Ability to exercise good judgment in deciding when to act independently and when to refer situations to a higher authority.
• Government experience appearing before governmental agencies boards or commissions.
• Ability to gather and analyze information and data from many sources in the government and from residents and to make alternative recommendations for action based on such information.
• Knowledge of the legislative process.
• Knowledge of intergovernmental relationships.
• Knowledge of government budgeting processes.
• Ability to express ideas clearly and effectively both orally and in writing.
• Ability to establish and maintain tactful and effective working relationships with the County residents and County government departments and office heads.

Graduated from an accredited law school and a member in good standing with the Supreme Court of Maryland.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

TO APPLY:You must complete an employment application online to be considered for this recruitment. Resumes cannot be substituted for completion of the job application work history. No paper applications will be accepted.

Selected candidates may be subject to drug screening background screening and reference checks.

At time of application please submit a copy of any college degree coursework licenses or certifications that you have referenced on your who have education obtained outside of the U.S. may need to provide proof of the equivalent U.S. education as determined by a foreign credential evaluation service such as the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services () or World Education Services: International Credential Evaluation ( County Government is not sponsoring employees in application of the H-1B Visa or providing an extension of an existing H-1B Visa. All applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States under the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986.

Howard Countyis an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer and we are committed to a workplace that values diversity equity and inclusion. The County prohibits discrimination on the basis of race color religion age sex ancestry creed national origin disability status genetics marital statusmilitary service sexual orientation gender identity/expression or any other characteristic protected by federal state or local laws. Applicants requiring accommodations during the hiring process should contact the Office of Human Resources directly at .Requests for accommodations should not be attached to the application.