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 country. In 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 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:

Legal work at the highest performance level in the Office of Law under the direction of an administrative superior. Work involves complex civil legal, including the handling of civil litigation on behalf of Howard County, and administrative proceedings on behalf of County agencies.

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 providing legal advice and court representation on behalf of Howard County in Federal and State courts.

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.

Serves as Counsel to various Boards and Commissions, some of which hold quasi-judicial proceedings.

Reviews and drafts departmental and board procedures.

Supervisory Responsibilities

May supervise legal or support staff.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.

Physical Demands And Work Environment

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.

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