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Counsel

Max Hlavin

Favorite Book: Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak

Max is a local government attorney who provides public bodies, authorities, and agencies with pragmatic counsel. His solution-focused representation supports the prudent use of public funds. He helps local government clients on matters including planning, zoning, economic development, and general legal counseling. As a service provider, he seeks to understand each locality’s specific needs, deliver tailored solutions, and provide lasting value.

Having worked previously as an in-house government attorney, Max understands the needs of public entities. He is familiar with the political scrutiny that accompanies governmental decision-making and is hyper-cognizant of his clients’ responsibility to be good stewards of the public purse.

Clients often rely on Max to provide advice and training on open government laws, including FOIA, COIA, and procurement. He also counsels various boards and commissions, including planning commissions, water and sewer authorities, economic development authorities, and regulatory boards.

In his prior role as Deputy County Attorney for James City County, Max provided legal services to the county’s departments, agencies, and constitutional officers. He also negotiated and completed the acquisition and sale of real property interests on behalf of the County, James City Service Authority, and Economic Development Authority.

Max tries to spend his spare time outdoors and enjoys hiking, canoeing, and participating in recreational sports. Those close to Max also know him to be an avid player of board games and moderately proficient baker with a fondness for making breakfast treats (bagels, biscuits, and English muffins) and other sweets.

Education & Admissions

Education

William & Mary Law School
J.D., 2013

The College of William & Mary
B.B.A., 2009

Admissions

Virginia

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

Georgia

Honors & Recognitions

"Legal Elite", Virginia Business Magazine, Young Lawyer (Under 40), 2024

Experience

  • Successful prosecution of ordinance enforcement actions, including zoning, subdivision, Chesapeake Bay Preservation, Erosion & Sediment Control, building code, and business license actions.
  • Successful defense of a Board of Supervisors in a neighboring landowner’s challenge of a rezoning action.
  • Successful defense of a County and Board of Supervisors in a land use applicant’s challenge of both a rezoning denial and the statutory authority of prior ordinance action.
  • Participation in the successful appeal of SCC approval of an electric utility transmission line project, resulting in favorable action from the Virginia Supreme Court preserving local zoning authority.
  • Representation of an EDA in economic development projects, including a marina revitalization project involving the construction of shell building, leases to a brewery, and partnership with department of parks and recreation.
  • Successful representation of a local Department of Social Services in administrative and judicial proceedings related to child protective orders and findings of abuse and neglect.

Affiliations

Community

Williamsburg-James City County Community Action Agency, Board of Directors 2019-2022

Williamsburg Bar Association, Board of Directors 2015-2022

Professional

Local Government Attorneys of Virginia

News & Insights

  • “I enjoy working with clients to help realize goals that support the legislative and executive functions of good government. It is especially rewarding to be of service to those striving to do the right thing for their communities.”

    Max Hlavin
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