Andrew R. McRoberts
Shareholder
Experience
“Andrew thinks on the ‘broad brush’ level, yet keeps a keen eye on detail. With a solid knowledge in a wide variety of topics and fields, he has an edge when dealing with multidisciplined issues. He brings this innate skill when working with people who come from many different backgrounds.”
Linda Wall, paralegal to County Attorney at County of Powhatan, Virginia
About
Biography
Andrew McRoberts offers specialized outside counsel for local governments and officials across Virginia. A member of the firm’s Government Group and Leader of its General Local Government Team, Andrew is a long-time litigator and Virginia local government attorney. He brings in-depth knowledge and inventiveness when helping his clients navigate complex litigation and issues in local governments. Andrew has helped many local governments and local government officials, as well as select non-government entities resolve their unique legal needs, achieve their specific goals, and come out ahead.
Andrew provides complete legal guidance primarily in:
- Litigation
- Land Use and Zoning
- Tax Assessment Defense (judicial and administrative)
- Real Estate
- Special Service Districts
- Subdivision
- Utilities and Development
- Election Law
- Virginia State Corporation Commission (SCC)
- Economic Development
- Virginia Circuit Courts
- Virginia Supreme Court
- Other specialized advice and litigation for local governments
Andrew is a shareholder and joined Sands Anderson in 2009 after many years serving Virginia localities as county attorney, legislative liaison and litigator. Throughout his experienced and successful career, Andrew has served his clients with enthusiasm, creativity, and professionalism. He understands the legal issues his clients face, and how those issues directly affect the clients and their communities.
He has served in various localities and across the broad spectrum of local government law, bringing discipline and fresh perspectives to each issue. He thoroughly counsels local governments through difficult decisions and complex litigation with promptness and efficiency. Often, given his extensive local government background, he finds unexpected and interdisciplinary solutions to support his client’s needs. His significant record of success, both in and out of court, has led clients to refer to Andrew as a “lawyer’s lawyer” and a “legal scholar and a pleasure to work with.”
Professional Highlights
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Team Leader, General Local Government Team, Sands Anderson
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Acting Part-time City Attorney for City of Charlottesville
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Part-time County Attorney for King William County
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Part-time County Attorney for Richmond County
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Part-time County Attorney for Essex County
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General counsel to the Stafford County Board of Zoning Appeals
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Former Acting Part-time County Attorney for Accomack County
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Former Acting Part-time Deputy City Attorney for Hampton
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Former Full-time County Attorney in Goochland County
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Former Full-time County Attorney in Culpeper County
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Former Full-time Assistant Attorney in Arlington County
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Former Part-time County Attorney for Mathews County
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Chief attorney in the successful defense of dozens of local governments in major SCC cases against Verizon, Dominion Virginia Power, and other public service corporations.
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Lead attorney in the successful defense of local governments in major circuit court cases against such companies as Aggregate Industries, Dupont, Hazel Homes, International Paper, and Potomac Mills.
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Lead attorney in successful administrative tax assessment appeals before local and state administrative assessing authorities against such companies as General Dynamics.
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Author of many amicus curiae briefs filed with the Virginia Supreme Court on behalf of organizations including the Local Government Attorneys of Virginia, the Virginia Association of Counties, and Virginia Municipal League.
Recognition
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Best Lawyers in America® in Litigation - Municipal, 2021-2024
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Virginia Association of Assessing Officers' Distinguished Service Award
2022 -
Virginia Business magazine "Legal Elite" in Real Estate and Land Use
2015-2017, 2019-2020, 2022 -
Local Government Attorneys of Virginia’s highest honor – the Edward J. Finnegan Award for Distinguished Service, 2012
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Virginia Lawyer's Weekly "Leaders in the Law" List
2010
Favorite Books
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The Lord of the Rings
trilogy by J. R. R. Tolkien -
To Kill a Mockingbird
by Harper Lee
Background
Education
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University of Richmond
J.D. 1990
T. C. Williams School of Law -
College of William & Mary
B.A. 1987
History, Theatre & Speech
Admissions
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Virginia
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U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit
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U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia
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U.S. District Court or the Western District of Virginia
Involvement
Speaking Engagements
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Andrew is a popular speaker at conferences and seminars for local government organizations, including:
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American Planning Association (Virginia Chapter)
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Commissioners of the Revenue Association
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Virginia Association of Assessing Officers
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Virginia Association of Zoning Officials
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Local Government Attorneys of Virginia (the statewide bar organization for county, city, and town attorneys)
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Land Use Education Program (Training at legal seminar, BZA and Planning Commission training sessions)
Professional Affiliations
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Group Leader, Local Tax Practice Group, Local Government Attorneys of Virginia
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Local Government Attorneys of Virginia (active member, Past President and former member of its Board of Directors)
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Virginia State Bar’s Local Government Section, Former Board of Governors
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Virginia Bar Association, Taxation Section
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Virginia Local Government Managers' Association
Community Service
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The Society for the College (William & Mary)
Former President -
First Baptist Church, Richmond
Deacon and Member -
City of Richmond Commission on Architectural Review
Former Member -
Boy Scout Troop 710, Goochland, Virginia
Former Scoutmaster
Publications
Publications by Andrew R. McRoberts
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Local Government Law: When the Law You Know Isn't the Law that Applies
Journal of Local Government Law, a publication of Virginia State Bar, Vol. XXIX, No. 2, Winter 2019
Andrew R. McRoberts In The Media
- Isle of Wight Forms Redistricting Task Force The Smithfield Times
News by Andrew R. McRoberts
- Local Government Law: When the Law You Know Isn’t the Law that Applies
- Time for Localities to Enter the Era of Airbnb
- Local Governments and Community Associations: Who Enforces Your Regulations?
- Virginia Supreme Court Opinions Affecting Local Government Law: December 2016 and March, April, June, and August 2017
- Virginia Supreme Court Opinion Affecting Local Government Law: September 22, 2016
- Legislature to Litigants: “Can’t Touch This!” – Virginia Supreme Court Recognizes Legislative Privilege
- Virginia Supreme Court Opinions Affecting Local Government Law: September 15, 2016
- Virginia Supreme Court Opinions Affecting Local Government Law: April 28, June 23, June 30 and July 22, 2016
- Virginia Supreme Court Opinions Affecting Local Government Law: December 17, 2015, January 14, 2016 and February 12, 2016
- Virginia Supreme Court Opinion Affecting Local Government Law: September 17, 2015
- Virginia Supreme Court Opinions Affecting Local Government Law: June 4, 2015
News About Andrew R. McRoberts
- Twenty-Seven Sands Anderson Attorneys Recognized by Best Lawyers in America®
- Forty-Four Sands Anderson Lawyers Named to 2022 Virginia Business Legal Elite
- Andrew R. McRoberts Receives VAAO’s Distinguished Service Award
- Twenty-Three Sands Anderson Attorneys Recognized by Best Lawyers in America®
- Sands Anderson’s Andrew R. McRoberts Becomes Leader of LGA’s Local Taxation Practice Group
- Twenty-One Sands Anderson Attorneys Named as 2022 Best Lawyers in America®
- Forty Sands Anderson Lawyers Named to 2020 Virginia Business Legal Elite
- Twenty-One Sands Anderson attorneys named to 2021 Best Lawyers® List
- Forty Sands Anderson Lawyers Named to 2019 Virginia Business Legal Elite
- Sands Anderson Local Government Attorneys Awarded LGA Special Projects Award