Hybrid Principal Attorney - County Council, Council Office na Howard County Government, MD

About the Department

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 country. In 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 you'll 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, you'll be helping drive our culture and directly impact what makes us an amazing place to work.

POSITION SUMMARY:
The Principal Attorney for the County Council serves as the lead legal advisor within the County Council’s Boards Office. The position handles complex quasi-judicial administrative cases before the Board of Appeals and the Zoning Board—including reviewing case records, advising Board members, researching applicable federal, state, and local statutes, regulations, and Charter provisions, preparing legal summaries, and drafting proposed Decisions and Orders on the Boards’ behalf.  The position reports to the Council Administrator.

STARTING SALARY HIRING RANGE:
$54.96 - $78.77
$114,319 - $163,842

CLASS DESCRIPTION
Performs mid-management and advanced level legal work under general supervision from an administrative superior. Criminal work includes supervising and participating in the prosecution of criminal cases and related litigation on behalf of the State of Maryland; Civil work involves complex legal work at the highest performance level, including the handling of complex civil litigation on behalf of Howard County in Federal and State courts.  

Position Duties

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 law—including 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 Council’s 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.

This position follows a hybrid model, with on-site work as the primary setting, and some duties performed remotely as needed. The schedule is variable, allowing for both daytime and evening hours to accommodate organization. 

Minimum Qualifications

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.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORK ENVIRONMENT:
LANGUAGE SKILLS, MATHEMATICAL SKILLS, AND REASONING ABILITY:
Ability to read, analyze, and interpret legal and technical documents, statutes, regulations and case law, Ability to draft legal documents, memoranda, letters, reports, business correspondence, and procedure manuals. Ability to present information effectively and respond to questions from clients, the legal community and the general public.  

Ability to calculate figures and amounts such as discounts, interest, commissions, proportions, percentages, area, circumference, and volume. Ability to apply concepts of basic algebra and geometry.  

Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions. Ability to interpret an extensive variety of technical instructions and deal with several abstract and concrete variables. 

Other Qualifications

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

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