Posting Date: January 29, 2026
Closing Date: February 12, 2026
Job Title: Deputy Principal Counsel
Position Type: Full-Time, Regular
Salary: This position offers a salary range of $126,914 - $179,430, with potential for advancement up to $198,107 based on qualifications, equity, and hiring guidelines. Initial salary offers are determined by qualifications, experience, and available budget, and typically do not exceed $179,430.
Location: Office of the Attorney General, Department of Housing and Community Development, 7800 Harkins Road Lanham, MD 20706
Telework: A hybrid remote telework and in-office schedule option is available per applicable policies and procedures.
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 and dynamic attorney to serve as Deputy Principal Counsel for the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD). This is a unique opportunity to play a pivotal role in advancing affordable housing and community development initiatives that impact residents across Maryland.
As the State's Housing Finance Agency, DHCD finances affordable single-family and multifamily housing, as well as government infrastructure projects, through tax-exempt and taxable bonds, federal low-income housing tax credits, and State appropriated funds. DHCD also administers programs and services that support its vision of ensuring all Marylanders have the opportunity to live and prosper in affordable, desirable, and secure housing within thriving communities.
The OAG serves as the primary legal advisor to DHCD, its bond-issuing entity, the Community Development Administration (CDA), and its loan insurance arm, the Maryland Housing Fund (MHF). Our team provides comprehensive legal counsel on a wide range of matters, including bond financing programs; low-income housing tax credit programs; small business and community development loan and grant programs; energy and weatherization initiatives; broadband expansion grants; loan portfolio and asset management; Section 8 housing voucher issues; procurement and personnel matters; Public Information Act compliance; and litigation.
The Deputy Principal Counsel will join a dedicated team of 19 professionals, including 12 attorneys and 7 support staff. The position will directly supervise approximately three attorneys and three support staff focused on multifamily and bond financing transactions. In this leadership role, the Deputy Principal Counsel will collaborate closely with the Principal Counsel and the other Deputy Principal Counsel to coordinate the office's work, provide strategic legal advice to DHCD senior leadership, and ensure smooth office operations. This position offers the opportunity to influence housing policy, manage complex transactions, and contribute to initiatives that strengthen Maryland communities.
EXPERIENCE: The ideal candidate for this position will have at least eight years' legal experience in bond and housing-related legal transactions. Supervisory experience and experience in any of the other categories listed above is desirable. Maryland Bar membership or ability to waive in is required.
SUBMISSION: Interested persons should electronically submit a resume, writing sample, and references (including a current or former supervisor), all in PDF format to Mark S. Petrauskas, Principal Counsel, Department of Housing and Community Development by email to [email protected] by close of business day on February 12, 2026. Please write “Deputy Principal Counsel DHCD" in the subject line of the email.
EMPLOYMENT BENEFITS: The successful candidate will be eligible for subsidized health benefits (medical, prescription, dental and vision coverage) and life insurance; leave, including annual (vacation), personal, sick, and paid parental leave; and will be eligible for participation in a contributory defined benefit pension plan in which they are vested after ten years. State employees are eligible to participate in two supplemental retirement plans: the 457 Deferred Compensation Plan and the 401(k) Savings and Investment Plan. The State also offers a free mass transit benefit for local bus and express bus services.
EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER: The OAG is an equal opportunity employer that encourages all interested persons to apply regardless of race, color, religion or belief, ancestry, national origin, age, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, disability, pregnancy, family or parental status, veteran status, genetic information, or any protected category prohibited by local, state or federal laws.
COMMITMENT TO DIVERSITY, EQUITY, INCLUSION, AND BELONGING: The Office of the Attorney General views equity, diversity, inclusion, and belonging as the pathway to achieving professional excellence and fostering and maintaining a culture where every employee can thrive. We strive to create a community that draws upon the best pool of talent to unify excellence and diversity while fully embracing individuals from varied backgrounds, cultures, races, identities, life experiences, perspectives, beliefs, and values. We honor, respect, and celebrate all differences, both visible and invisible, and are committed to recruiting, retaining, and promoting individuals who have historically been underrepresented in the practice of law and professional careers.