Legal Counsel Jobs in Virginia
Legal Counsel jobs in Virginia are in strong and consistent demand, with concentrations in government contracting, defense, technology, financial services, and healthcare across seniority levels from associate through senior general counsel. The heaviest hiring activity is in Northern Virginia, Richmond, and the Hampton Roads area, where established employers such as Leidos, Capital One, and Inova Health System regularly carry legal counsel openings. Regulatory compliance, government contracts, and corporate transactional work are the most sought-after specialties in the state. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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Showing 4 of 29+ Legal Counsel jobs
DESCRIPTION
Come make history and join Amazon’s Legal Department by supporting emerging export control matters! You’ll collaborate with business and legal teams across AWS and Amazon to find innovative business and compliance solutions. In this role, you'll navigate complex regulatory landscapes, provide legal solutions for emerging technologies like AI and quantum computing, and directly influence AWS's global strategic initiatives.
A day in the life
Your day will be dynamic and impactful, involving direct collaboration with global business units, researching emerging regulatory trends, and developing creative compliance and business-impacting strategies. You'll engage with cross-functional teams, translating complex legal frameworks into actionable business guidance, and play a critical role in supporting AWS's technological advancements.
About the team
Our Trade and Logistics Legal team is a close, collaborative group dedicated to pioneering legal solutions across AWS’s global business. We work at the intersection of technology, law, and global strategy, supporting AWS's mission to transform how businesses leverage cloud technologies worldwide. Your expertise will be crucial in helping us navigate the intricate regulatory environments of emerging technologies.
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
- 10+ years of post bar admission legal experience
- Juris Doctor and membership in one state bar or equivalent
- Experience effectively communicating complex concepts through written and verbal communication
- Experience managing complex and fast-moving issues
- Comprehensive knowledge of export control and strategic control laws
- Export Control Requirement: Due to applicable export control laws, candidates must be a U.S. citizen or national, U.S. permanent resident (i.e., current Green Card holder), or lawfully admitted into the U.S. as a refugee or granted asylum.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Experience of a mix of corporate law firm and in-house work
- Experience working effectively across cross-functional teams and partnering well with people at all levels within an organization
- Experience with technology sector legal compliance
- Exceptional research and analytical skills with ability to summarize regulatory impacts
- Demonstrated capability to work independently and make decisive legal recommendations
Amazon is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of protected veteran status, disability, or other legally protected status.
Our inclusive culture empowers Amazonians to deliver the best results for our customers. If you have a disability and need a workplace accommodation or adjustment during the application and hiring process, including support for the interview or onboarding process, please visit https://amazon.jobs/content/en/how-we-hire/accommodations for more information. If the country/region you’re applying in isn’t listed, please contact your Recruiting Partner.
DESCRIPTION
Come make history and join Amazon’s Legal Department by supporting emerging export control matters! You’ll collaborate with business and legal teams across AWS and Amazon to find innovative business and compliance solutions. In this role, you'll navigate complex regulatory landscapes, provide legal solutions for emerging technologies like AI and quantum computing, and directly influence AWS's global strategic initiatives.
A day in the life
Your day will be dynamic and impactful, involving direct collaboration with global business units, researching emerging regulatory trends, and developing creative compliance and business-impacting strategies. You'll engage with cross-functional teams, translating complex legal frameworks into actionable business guidance, and play a critical role in supporting AWS's technological advancements.
About the team
Our Trade and Logistics Legal team is a close, collaborative group dedicated to pioneering legal solutions across AWS’s global business. We work at the intersection of technology, law, and global strategy, supporting AWS's mission to transform how businesses leverage cloud technologies worldwide. Your expertise will be crucial in helping us navigate the intricate regulatory environments of emerging technologies.
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
- 10+ years of post bar admission legal experience
- Juris Doctor and membership in one state bar or equivalent
- Experience effectively communicating complex concepts through written and verbal communication
- Experience managing complex and fast-moving issues
- Comprehensive knowledge of export control and strategic control laws
- Export Control Requirement: Due to applicable export control laws, candidates must be a U.S. citizen or national, U.S. permanent resident (i.e., current Green Card holder), or lawfully admitted into the U.S. as a refugee or granted asylum.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Experience of a mix of corporate law firm and in-house work
- Experience working effectively across cross-functional teams and partnering well with people at all levels within an organization
- Experience with technology sector legal compliance
- Exceptional research and analytical skills with ability to summarize regulatory impacts
- Demonstrated capability to work independently and make decisive legal recommendations
Amazon is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of protected veteran status, disability, or other legally protected status.
Our inclusive culture empowers Amazonians to deliver the best results for our customers. If you have a disability and need a workplace accommodation or adjustment during the application and hiring process, including support for the interview or onboarding process, please visit https://amazon.jobs/content/en/how-we-hire/accommodations for more information. If the country/region you’re applying in isn’t listed, please contact your Recruiting Partner.
See All 29 Legal Counsel Jobs in Virginia
Find roles in Virginia that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Legal Counsel JobsLegal Counsel Jobs by City in Virginia
Where Virginia roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Legal Counsel Job Market in Virginia
A snapshot from current Virginia openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
- Amazon11
- Alliance Defending Freedom3
- ABB1
- Truist1
- Gilbane1
Top Industries Hiring
- Manufacturing
What Virginia Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in legal counsel jobs across Virginia.
- Active membership in the Virginia State Bar or eligibility for Virginia bar admission
- Juris Doctor degree from an accredited law school
- Experience advising on government contracts, corporate transactions, or regulatory compliance
- Ability to draft, review, and negotiate commercial contracts independently
- Strong written and oral communication skills for advising internal business clients
- Experience working cross-functionally with business, finance, or technology teams
Legal Counsel Jobs in Virginia: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a legal counsel in Virginia?
Becoming a legal counsel in Virginia requires earning a Juris Doctor from an accredited law school, passing the Virginia State Bar Examination, and being admitted to the Virginia State Bar, which is administered by the Virginia Board of Bar Examiners. Attorneys licensed in another state may seek Virginia admission by motion if they meet reciprocity requirements. Most in-house legal counsel roles also expect prior experience in private practice or a related corporate legal function before moving in-house.
How much do legal counsels make in Virginia?
Legal counsels in Virginia earn a median of about $167,210 a year, based on May 2025 Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data, ranging from around $79,330 for the lowest 10% to over $320,220 for the top 10%. Pay rises with experience, specialty, and employer.
Which companies hire legal counsels in Virginia?
Employers hiring legal counsels in Virginia right now include Amazon, Alliance Defending Freedom, and ABB, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. Virginia's dense concentration of government contractors, financial institutions, and large health systems means in-house legal teams here tend to be larger and more specialized than in comparable markets.
Which Virginia cities have the most legal counsel jobs?
Arlington, McLean, and Alexandria have the most legal counsel openings in Virginia. Northern Virginia drives the bulk of demand due to its massive government contracting sector and corporate headquarters concentration, while Richmond's financial institutions, state agencies, and health systems anchor hiring in the central region, and Hampton Roads openings reflect the area's defense and maritime industries.
Are there remote legal counsel jobs in Virginia?
Yes, and more than many legal roles, since in-house counsel work is largely advisory, transactional, and document-based. About 80% of legal counsel openings tied to Virginia are remote or hybrid as of November 2026, reflecting genuine employer flexibility in the field. Contract review, compliance advising, and policy work are the functions most consistently offered on a remote or hybrid basis.
How can I get hired as a legal counsel in Virginia with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is joining a Virginia-based law firm first and then transitioning in-house after building two to four years of practice experience in a relevant area such as government contracts, corporate law, or healthcare compliance. Large Virginia employers like Booz Allen Hamilton, Dominion Energy, and major Northern Virginia defense contractors run structured associate attorney or legal operations programs that can serve as a pipeline into in-house roles. Candidates who have passed the Virginia State Bar and hold a clerkship or government agency background often find an easier transition into entry-level in-house positions.
Where can I find and apply to legal counsel jobs in Virginia?
You can find and apply to legal counsel jobs in Virginia on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings from employers across the state. Search the listings, find roles that match your experience and practice area, and apply directly to the ones that fit.
See All 29 Legal Counsel Jobs in Virginia
Find roles in Virginia that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
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