Closing Date: 18th August, 2026
Description:
Description:The Attorney General is the chief legal officer of the State of Maryland. The Office of the Attorney General (OAG) has the general charge, supervision, and direction of the State's legal business, acting as legal advisors and representatives of the major agencies, various boards, commissions, officials, and institutions of State Government. The OAG also protects the public by civil enforcement of antitrust, civil rights, consumer protection, and securities laws and regulations and by the prosecution of organized crime, Medicaid fraud, environmental crimes, insurance fraud, state tax evasion, and other statutorily assigned matters. As Maryland's 47th Attorney General, Anthony G. Brown leads the Office with a critical focus on equity, justice, and fairness.
The OAG is seeking an experienced attorney to serve as Principal Counsel to the Maryland Department of Planning (Planning) and its divisions, the Maryland Historical Trust (MHT) and the Jefferson Patterson Park & Museum (JPPM). The Principal Counsel also provides legal advice and representation to four independent agencies, including the Maryland Heritage Areas Authority (MHAA), the Canal Place Preservation & Development Authority, the Maryland African American Museum Corporation (MAAMC), and the Maryland Commission on African American History and Culture (MCAAHC).
Operating out of its headquarters in Baltimore City, Planning assists Maryland's counties and municipalities with land use and resource planning and provides review and technical assistance on various planning and zoning topics. Planning also implements the State's clearinghouse process through which it circulates proposed dispositions of State property to determine whether other State agencies or local governments have an interest in the property. In addition, Planning staffs numerous permanent and temporary boards, commissions, and other bodies, including the Patuxent River Commission and the Sustainable Growth Subcabinet. Planning has few regulatory powers and rarely becomes involved in litigation.
The Maryland Historical Trust is in Crownsville and implements State and federal historic preservation laws. Those laws require consultation about governmentally funded or permitted projects that potentially affect historic resources. In addition, MHT operates a number of grant programs for the preservation of historic resources and a tax credit program that subsidizes commercial and residential historic rehabilitation work. Finally, MHT holds historic preservation easements on approximately 700 different properties. Through all these programs, MHT has extensive regulatory authority and sometimes, though still rarely, becomes involved in litigation.
The other divisions and independent agencies that the Principal Counsel represents provide grant-funding (MHAA, MCAAHC), operate museums (JPPM, MCAAHC, MAAMC), and manage historic properties as commercial enterprises and recreational amenities (Canal Place).
The Principal Counsel provides advice and, occasionally, litigation support on a wide range of matters, including land use and historic preservation law, as well as procurement, commercial leasing, personnel, grants, data-sharing, the Open Meetings Act, the Public Information Act, legislation, and rulemaking. The Principal Counsel is responsible for the overall office management and the coordination, assignment, and completion of the legal work by one Deputy Principal Counsel and one Paralegal. The Principal Counsel consults with the Secretary of Planning and her staff to define and prioritize advisory and representation needs. Because Planning and MHT have separate offices, the Principal Counsel has two offices: one in Baltimore City and the other in Crownsville, where the other members of the Division work. The Principal Counsel is a direct report to a Deputy Attorney General within the Office of the Attorney General.
This position requires a leader who demonstrates professionalism, dependability, honesty, and a commitment to equitable and respectful workplace practices. The Principal Counsel is expected to train and mentor staff, ensure proper performance evaluations, and support professional development goals.
This is a dynamic and highly impactful role for an attorney who thrives in a mission‑driven, innovation‑oriented environment and who is committed to the highest standards of legal service and public trust.
Classification: Assistant Attorney General VI
Experience: The ideal candidate will have a minimum of ten years of legal experience. Applicants must have excellent written and verbal communication skills, and strong organizational, management, and interpersonal skills. Prior experience with State administrative procedures, grant-making programs, land use law, and historic preservation law is preferred.
The Office of the Attorney General expects its attorneys to demonstrate a sustained commitment to pro bono service. Applicants should have a demonstrated record of meaningful pro bono engagement or a sincere interest in pro bono work as a professional obligation. Once hired, Assistant Attorneys General are expected to fulfill that commitment throughout their employment with the Office through active participation in OAG's Stephen H. Sachs Pro Bono Program or other qualified opportunities. The OAG supports attorneys in meeting the goal set by the Maryland Supreme Court, MD Atty Rules 19-306.1(b), by allowing up to 50 hours work-time to be used for approved pro bono activities.
Submission: Applicants must submit a resume, cover letter, writing sample, and a list of three professional references, including at least one current or former supervisor. Please note that this job posting will come offline at 6:00 p.m. EST on the closing date.
Telework: Hybrid Work – two in-office days weekly.