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Andrew R. McRoberts

Favorite Book: The Lord of the Rings Trilogy by J. R. R. Tolkien & To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee

Andrew McRoberts counsels Virginia local governments on how to solve complex legal challenges involving litigation, land use, economic development, tax assessment defense, utilities, election law, and State Corporation Commission matters.

As Leader of Sands Anderson's General Local Government Team, Andrew serves as trusted outside counsel to local governments and public officials across Virginia. A shareholder with the firm since 2009, he brings decades of experience as a county attorney, legislative liaison, and litigator, providing practical, strategic guidance tailored to each client's needs.

Known for his creative problem-solving and deep knowledge of local government law, Andrew helps clients navigate complex issues, achieve their goals, and serve their communities effectively.

Qualifications

Education

University of Richmond
J.D. 1990

College of William & Mary
B.A. 1987

Admissions

Virginia

U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit

U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia

U.S. District Court or the Western District of Virginia

Honors & Recognitions

Best Lawyers in America®, "Lawyer of the Year" in Litigation - Municipal, 2025

Best Lawyers in America® in Litigation - Municipal, 2021-2027; Municipal Law, 2025-2027

"Legal Elite", Virginia Business Magazine, Real Estate/Land Use, 2015-2017, 2019-2020, 2022-2025

Virginia Association of Assessing Officers' Distinguished Service Award, 2022

Local Government Attorneys of Virginia’s highest honor – the Edward J. Finnegan Award for Distinguished Service, 2012

Virginia Lawyer's Weekly "Leaders in the Law" List, 2010

Experience

  • Team Leader, General Local Government Team, Sands Anderson
  • Acting Part-time City Attorney for City of Charlottesville
  • Part-time County Attorney for King William County
  • Part-time County Attorney for Richmond County
  • Part-time County Attorney for Essex County
  • General counsel to the Stafford County Board of Zoning Appeals
  • Former Acting Part-time County Attorney for Accomack County
  • Former Acting Part-time Deputy City Attorney for Hampton
  • Former Full-time County Attorney in Goochland County
  • Former Full-time County Attorney in Culpeper County
  • Former Full-time Assistant Attorney in Arlington County
  • Former Part-time County Attorney for Mathews County
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • Lead attorney in successful administrative tax assessment appeals before local and state administrative assessing authorities against such companies as General Dynamics.
  • 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.
  • Served as acting and regular counsel to counties, cities, and towns across Virginia, providing day-to-day legal guidance on governance, ordinances, contracts, public finance, personnel matters, procurement, and other municipal operations.
  • Advised local governments on complex land use, zoning, and development matters, including comprehensive plan consistency, rezoning applications, special use permits, code enforcement issues, and the successful defense of related litigation and appeals.
  • Represented counties, cities, and towns in real estate tax assessment matters, providing strategic advice and defending localities in administrative proceedings and litigation involving property valuation and tax disputes.
  • Counseled local governments on matters before the Virginia State Corporation Commission (SCC), including utility regulation, telecommunications, and infrastructure-related proceedings, and represented clients in contested SCC litigation and regulatory matters.
  • Advised and defended local governments on compliance with the Virginia Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), Conflict of Interests Act (COIA), and other public sector ethics and transparency requirements, including responding to records requests, governance inquiries, investigations, and related litigation.

Affiliations

Community

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

Professional

Group Leader, Local Tax Practice Group, Local Government Attorneys of Virginia

Local Government Attorneys of Virginia (active member, Past President and former member of its Board of Directors)

Virginia State Bar’s Local Government Section, Former Board of Governors

Virginia Bar Association, Taxation Section

Virginia Local Government Managers' Association

International Association of Assessing Officers, Valuation of Data Center Facilities Task Force

News & Insights

Insights

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

News

Isle of Wight Forms Redistricting Task Force The Smithfield Times

Events & Speaking Engagements

"Legal Zoning Challenges and Impact on Assessments," VAAO Education Seminar, July 2026

"Anatomy of a Tax Defense," VAAO Education Seminar, July 2026

Andrew is a popular speaker at conferences and seminars for local government organizations, including:

  • American Planning Association (Virginia Chapter)
  • Commissioners of the Revenue Association
  • Virginia Association of Assessing Officers
  • Virginia Association of Zoning Officials
  • Local Government Attorneys of Virginia (the statewide bar organization for county, city, and town attorneys)
  • Land Use Education Program (Training at legal seminar, BZA and Planning Commission training sessions)

  • “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
Work With Andrew
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