Mission
The County Attorney’s Office will provide the highest quality legal services to the Arlington County Board and Arlington County Government, including the County Manager and staff, commissions and boards subject to the Rules of Virginia Professional Responsibility.
Through our practice we will:
- Provide adaptive, creative, and practical legal advice and solutions to help County officials and staff improve Arlington County; and,
- Ethically protect and advocate for the legal interests of the County.
Responsibilities
The County Attorney’s Office (CAO) provides legal counsel and advice to the County Board, County Manager and staff, County departments, agencies, boards and Commissions, and Retirement Board and also provides representation to them in litigation in state and federal court, as well as before various administrative agencies.
Members of the County Attorney’s Office cannot provide legal advice, legal assistance, or legal representation to members of the public, businesses, or private organizations. If you need legal advice, legal assistance, or legal representation, you should consult with an attorney. The Virginia State Bar has a lawyer referral service. More information about the Virginia State Bar lawyer referral service is available at this link: Virginia State Bar.
2026 Spring Internship
The Arlington County Attorney’s Office (“CAO”) in Arlington County, Virginia is currently accepting applications for its 2026 Summer Internship Program. The is an unpaid full-time position with a hybrid schedule of both in-office and remote work.
The CAO provides legal advice and representation in all civil matters to the County Board, County Manager, and County agencies. The CAO’s work covers a wide variety of practice areas such as civil litigation, land use, zoning, real estate, economic development, environmental protection, employment, collective bargaining, workers’ compensation, transportation, public safety, child protective services, behavioral healthcare, housing, and state and federal regulatory compliance. Interns for the CAO will have an opportunity to gain valuable experience in many of these practice areas by providing legal research, attending court proceedings and client meetings, and drafting legal memoranda, agreements and pleadings. Further, the position may include an opportunity to represent the County in Court for those who have a third-year practice certificate.
This is an unpaid position. However, first or second year law student interns are encouraged to apply for the Virginia State Bar Local Government Law Fellowship which awards $4,000 to a local government law intern. The application is live on the section’s webpage.
Interns with a demonstrated interest in local government law, and strong legal research and writing skills should send a cover letter, resume, and writing sample to Kevin Black, caointern@arlingtonva.us by or before February 13, 2026.