Senior/Principal County Solicitor-(Principal Attorney)-Litigation-Office of Law

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 sustainability and consistently ranked as one of the best places to live and work in the 2025 Howard County Government received a record-breaking 85 Achievement Awards from the National Association of Counties (NACo) the highest number of annual NACo awards achieved in the history of the State of Maryland and the highest number of awards out of any county in the State of Maryland which received a collective 136 awards. NACo is the leading organization representing county-level government operations. These awards recognize innovative and transformative programs that provide new services for county residents improve existing programs upgrade working conditions and enhance citizen participation and public policymaking.

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.

Provides specialized legal advice and representation to the County its personnel and agencies in complex civil litigation matters and represents them in State and Federal courts and before administrative agencies.

Collaborates with other attorneys in the office to develop case strategies and work as a litigation team.

Handles jury trials bench trials and appellate arguments serving as first chair or as second chair.

Plans and conducts civil discovery including requesting and answering written discovery and e-discovery and taking and defending depositions including expert depositions.

Prosecutes and defends civil cases and is an advocate on behalf of Howard County Maryland; this position may require the handling and management of a high volume of litigation matters.

The attorney will handle a wide variety of civil claims including negligence and other personal or property torts breach of contract and bid disputes police civil rights violations constitutional torts employment discrimination enforcement of public health safety and welfare codes governmental immunities and other areas of civil liability.

Reviews cases to determine merits of liability and damages claims and takes all other necessary steps to otherwise prepare civil cases to be prosecuted or defended. Also assesses cases for settlement briefs decision-makers negotiates settlements and prepares settlement agreements and releases.

Writes and prepares persuasive well-organized written and reasoned pleadings and motions (including dismissal summary judgment) and appellate briefs demand letters and other legal documents performs needed case investigation obtains documents and otherwise prepares civil cases to be prosecuted or defended.

Responds to judicial inquiries and maintains working relationships with judges and court personnel; interacts with various agencies and personnel of county state and federal government.

Reviews documents for legal sufficiency.

Provides legal advice and counsel to County departments boards and commissions and County Council.

Confers with and answers inquiries from County departments boards and commissions. May provide legal advice in various practice areas.

Performs legal research and renders legal opinions regarding difficult and complex questions of law raised by County departments and agencies.

Law Degree and seven (7) years of related experience or equivalent combination of education and experience.

PREFERRED EDUCATION KNOWLEDGE SKILLS AND ABILITIES:
15 - 20 years or related experience.

Complex civil jury and trial experience and appellate oral argument.

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.

Knowledge of the principles and practices of Maryland and federal civil administrative regulatory state and local government and constitutional law and court procedures and practices.

Skill in word processing and database programs.

Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships and open communication with others including fellow attorneys paralegals and court personnel.

Ability to exercise good judgment in deciding when to act independently and when to refer situations to a higher authority.

Ability to receive and give feedback with other attorneys.

Government experience as a practicing civil litigator in Maryland and experience representing or appearing before local State and federal governmental agencies boards or commissions.

Admission to the U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit and the U.S. Supreme Court.

Commitment to public service.

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job the employee is regularly required to talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to sit and to use computer for legal research and writing. The employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; and use hands to finger handle or feel. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision and ability to adjust focus.

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.

The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

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

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.