Description:
Job Duties:This posting may be filled as a Law Fellow, an Assistant Commonwealth's Attorney, a Senior Assistant Commonwealth's Attorney, an Associate Commonwealth's Attorney, or Senior Attorney depending on the experience and qualifications of the selected applicant.
The associated minimum requirements and pay grades are as follows:
Law Fellow (A.15 $70,628 - $109,473.40)
Minimum Qualifications: Must have, and maintain, the Virginia State Bar third-year practice certificate and is expected to sit for the Virginia Bar Exam during the period closet to their graduation date from Law School. Must successfully pass the Virginia Bar Exam within the prescribed timeframe.
Special Requirements: Must successfully pass the Virginia Bar Exam. Failure to successfully complete the Virginia Bar Exam within the established timeframe from date of hire will be grounds for employment termination.
Assistant Commonwealth's Attorney (A.17 $77,867.40 - $120,694.47)
Minimum Requirements: Active member in good standing with the Virginia State Bar and eligibility to practice law in the Commonwealth of Virginia is required for this position. However, contingent offers may be made to those that are registered to take the next scheduled Virginia Bar Exam (February or July) and contingent upon passing the exam, those who intend to waive in for licensure in Virginia, or those who were previously licensed in the Commonwealth and are scheduled to complete the required CLE hours for license reinstatement.
Preferences: Prior experience in criminal law.
Senior Assistant Commonwealth's Attorney (A.19 $85,848.80 - $133,064.64)
Minimum Requirements: Active membership in good standing in the Virginia State Bar; licensed to practice law in the Commonwealth of Virginia; admission to practice before the Court of Appeals of Virginia and the Supreme Court of Virginia. Two (2) years experience as a criminal prosecutor, or one (1) year of experience as a criminal prosecutor and two (2) additional years experience in the general practice of law.
Preferences: Prior experience in criminal law. Prior prosecution experience. Prior jury experience of at least five jury trials. Prior experience with body worn camera and/or other digital evidence. Completed post law school Trial Advocacy Course.
Associate Commonwealth's Attorney (A.21 $94,648.30 - $146,704.87)
Minimum Requirements: Active membership in good standing in the Virginia State Bar; eligibility to practice law in the State of Virginia; admission to practice before the Court of Appeals of Virginia and the Supreme Court of Virginia; and admitted to practice before the Supreme Court of Virginia and the Federal District Court. Five (5) years experience as a criminal prosecutor, or four (4) years of experience as a criminal prosecutor and two (2) additional years experience in the general practice of law.
Preferences: Prior experience in criminal law. Prior prosecution experience. Prior jury experience of at least twenty jury trials. Prior experience with body worn camera and/or other digital evidence. Completed post law school Trial Advocacy Course.
Senior Commonwealth's Attorney (A.23 $104,349.70 – 161,742.04)
Minimum Requirements: Active membership in good standing in the Virginia State Bar; eligibility to practice law in the State of Virginia; admission to practice before the Court of Appeals of Virginia and the Supreme Court of Virginia; and admitted to practice before the Supreme Court of Virginia and the Federal District Court. Twelve (12) years experience as an attorney with at least ten (10) years in criminal prosecution.
Preferences: Prior experience in criminal law. Prior prosecution experience. Prior jury experience of at least twenty jury trials. Prior experience with body worn camera and/or other digital evidence. Completed post law school Trial Advocacy Course.
Duties for all positions include but not limited to:
Please note that residency in the City of Virginia Beach is not a requirement. This position is an at-will position serving at the pleasure of the Commonwealth's Attorney. The Commonwealth's Attorney's Office is an Equal Opportunity Employer. For additional information and to apply for this position please visit virginiabeach.gov.
This position is open until filled. Applications will be reviewed on an ongoing basis. Once the appropriate applicant pool has been established, it will be closed.
Official City Job Description:
https://virginia-beach-departments-docs.s3.amazonaws.com/city/job-descriptions-pay-plans/Senior-Assistant-Commonwealths-Attorney-01850.pdf
Working Conditions:
https://workingcondition-summary-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/B.007092.pdf
Minimum Requirements:
Law Fellow Only: Must have, and maintain, the Virginia State Bar third-year practice certificate and is expected to sit for the Virginia Bar Exam during the period closet to their graduation date from Law School. Must successfully pass the Virginia Bar Exam within the prescribed timeframe.
All other positions: Active member in good standing with the Virginia State Bar and eligibility to practice law in the Commonwealth of Virginia is required for this position. However, contingent offers may be made to those that are registered to take the next scheduled Virginia Bar Exam (February 2025) and contingent upon passing the exam, those who intend to waive in for licensure in Virginia, or those who were previously licensed in the Commonwealth and are scheduled to complete the required CLE hours for license reinstatement.
See also the Job Duties section for specific minimum requirements for specific job titles.*
Special Requirements: All employees may be expected to work hours in excess of their normally scheduled hours in response to short-term department needs and/or City-wide emergencies.
Minimum Qualifications: Must have, and maintain, the Virginia State Bar third-year practice certificate and is expected to sit for the Virginia Bar Exam during the period closet to their graduation date from Law School. Must successfully pass the Virginia Bar Exam within the prescribed timeframe.
Special Requirements: Must successfully pass the Virginia Bar Exam. Failure to successfully complete the Virginia Bar Exam within the established timeframe from date of hire will be grounds for employment termination.
Assistant Commonwealth's Attorney (A.17 $77,867.40 - $120,694.47)
Minimum Requirements: Active member in good standing with the Virginia State Bar and eligibility to practice law in the Commonwealth of Virginia is required for this position. However, contingent offers may be made to those that are registered to take the next scheduled Virginia Bar Exam (February or July) and contingent upon passing the exam, those who intend to waive in for licensure in Virginia, or those who were previously licensed in the Commonwealth and are scheduled to complete the required CLE hours for license reinstatement.
Preferences: Prior experience in criminal law.
Senior Assistant Commonwealth's Attorney (A.19 $85,848.80 - $133,064.64)
Minimum Requirements: Active membership in good standing in the Virginia State Bar; licensed to practice law in the Commonwealth of Virginia; admission to practice before the Court of Appeals of Virginia and the Supreme Court of Virginia. Two (2) years experience as a criminal prosecutor, or one (1) year of experience as a criminal prosecutor and two (2) additional years experience in the general practice of law.
Preferences: Prior experience in criminal law. Prior prosecution experience. Prior jury experience of at least five jury trials. Prior experience with body worn camera and/or other digital evidence. Completed post law school Trial Advocacy Course.
Associate Commonwealth's Attorney (A.21 $94,648.30 - $146,704.87)
Minimum Requirements: Active membership in good standing in the Virginia State Bar; eligibility to practice law in the State of Virginia; admission to practice before the Court of Appeals of Virginia and the Supreme Court of Virginia; and admitted to practice before the Supreme Court of Virginia and the Federal District Court. Five (5) years experience as a criminal prosecutor, or four (4) years of experience as a criminal prosecutor and two (2) additional years experience in the general practice of law.
Preferences: Prior experience in criminal law. Prior prosecution experience. Prior jury experience of at least twenty jury trials. Prior experience with body worn camera and/or other digital evidence. Completed post law school Trial Advocacy Course.
Senior Commonwealth's Attorney (A.23 $104,349.70 – 161,742.04)
Minimum Requirements: Active membership in good standing in the Virginia State Bar; eligibility to practice law in the State of Virginia; admission to practice before the Court of Appeals of Virginia and the Supreme Court of Virginia; and admitted to practice before the Supreme Court of Virginia and the Federal District Court. Twelve (12) years experience as an attorney with at least ten (10) years in criminal prosecution.
Preferences: Prior experience in criminal law. Prior prosecution experience. Prior jury experience of at least twenty jury trials. Prior experience with body worn camera and/or other digital evidence. Completed post law school Trial Advocacy Course.
Duties for all positions include but not limited to:
- Attorney will prosecute misdemeanors and felonies in Circuit and District Courts by conducting legal research, witness interviews, negotiating with defense counsel, preparing jury instructions, and presenting cases at trial.
- Attorneys will prepare legal briefs and memoranda of law.
- Attorneys will establish effective relationships with office personnel, judicial agencies, victims and witnesses, law enforcement officers and the public.
- Attorneys will maintain accurate files, documenting in writing major or significant actions, and provide sufficient justification to support recommendations.
- Attorneys will prepare briefs in opposition to petitions for appeals to the Court of Appeals.
- Individual assignments will be determined by the supervisor based on current workload and department needs.
Please note that residency in the City of Virginia Beach is not a requirement. This position is an at-will position serving at the pleasure of the Commonwealth's Attorney. The Commonwealth's Attorney's Office is an Equal Opportunity Employer. For additional information and to apply for this position please visit virginiabeach.gov.
This position is open until filled. Applications will be reviewed on an ongoing basis. Once the appropriate applicant pool has been established, it will be closed.
Official City Job Description:
https://virginia-beach-departments-docs.s3.amazonaws.com/city/job-descriptions-pay-plans/Senior-Assistant-Commonwealths-Attorney-01850.pdf
Working Conditions:
https://workingcondition-summary-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/B.007092.pdf
Minimum Requirements:
Law Fellow Only: Must have, and maintain, the Virginia State Bar third-year practice certificate and is expected to sit for the Virginia Bar Exam during the period closet to their graduation date from Law School. Must successfully pass the Virginia Bar Exam within the prescribed timeframe.
All other positions: Active member in good standing with the Virginia State Bar and eligibility to practice law in the Commonwealth of Virginia is required for this position. However, contingent offers may be made to those that are registered to take the next scheduled Virginia Bar Exam (February 2025) and contingent upon passing the exam, those who intend to waive in for licensure in Virginia, or those who were previously licensed in the Commonwealth and are scheduled to complete the required CLE hours for license reinstatement.
See also the Job Duties section for specific minimum requirements for specific job titles.*
Special Requirements: All employees may be expected to work hours in excess of their normally scheduled hours in response to short-term department needs and/or City-wide emergencies.
