Job Title: Legislative Attorney (Constitutional Law, Administrative Law, or Courts and Civil Procedure)
Job Responsibilities:
The Legislative Attorney position is situated within the American Law Division of the Congressional Research Service (CRS), a legislative branch agency. The primary duties of this role encompass a wide range of responsibilities, including:
- Analyzing legal questions related to constitutional law, administrative law, or courts and civil procedure, as well as general aspects of American public law.
- Conducting legal research, analysis, and writing to provide objective, non-partisan analytical studies, descriptive and background memoranda, and reports on legal issues of national significance.
- Offering personal consultation and assistance to congressional committees, Members, and staff on legal issues throughout the legislative process.
- Participating in or leading team research projects and seminars.
- Preparing authoritative reports on legal issues of legislative interest, which include surveys and explanations of existing law, comparisons of laws and bills, the activities and legal positions of government and private entities, the progress and implications of significant litigation, and analysis of the legal framework that applies to topics of current legislative focus.
- Preparing probing and innovative legal memoranda in response to inquiries from congressional offices and committees, addressing complex legal questions within the attorney's field of law related to the development, interpretation, or implementation of important public policies.
- Responding to congressional office and committee requests for oral briefings and consultations, educating congressional personnel about existing law, clarifying legal questions, identifying and discussing legal options, and assisting them in understanding the legal framework necessary to develop and implement their legislative purposes.
- Utilizing **Members Only**'s research capabilities to locate, organize, summarize, and interpret legal information in support of service to Congress, and drawing on information available from other institutions, research materials, or professionals in the field.
- Ensuring that the Constitution Annotated of the United States, the official record of the . Constitution, remains accurate and timely through historical research, analysis, and memorialization of current developments in constitutional law, and review and assimilation of practice materials and academic discourse.
- Advising and assisting other legislative attorneys, analysts, and specialists through the provision of legal analysis and information in support of their service to Congress.
Education and Experience Information:
The position requires the following educational and professional qualifications:
- Applicants must possess an . or ., or higher degree from a full course of study in a school of law accredited by the American Bar Association or a state-accredited school of law.
- Active membership in good standing of the bar of a state, the District of Columbia, a territory of the United States, or the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico is required, and appointees must maintain active membership in good standing throughout their employment.
- Candidates must have progressively responsible experience and training sufficient in scope and quality to furnish them with an acceptable level of knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the duties of the position without more than normal supervision.
- Analytical experience in and broad general knowledge of legal issues regarding constitutional law, administrative law, or courts and civil procedure, along with strong research, writing, and oral communication skills, are essential.
- A portfolio of high-quality legal analytical writing is encouraged, and experience as a judicial clerk would be particularly beneficial.
Salary Information:
The salary for the Legislative Attorney position is set within the GS 13 pay scale, with a range of $117,962 to $153,354 per year. The salary range reflects the locality pay adjustments for the Washington, ., Metropolitan area. While there is promotion potential to a GS 15, the selectee may not be hired at a level above GS 13, regardless of current salary or position at the time of application.
Additional Information:
- The position is full-time, with a flextime work schedule available.
- This is a non-supervisory, bargaining unit position.
- Relocation expenses will not be authorized for the selected candidate(s).
- The position is part of the excepted service, and **Members Only** is an equal opportunity employer. Women, minorities, and persons with disabilities who meet eligibility requirements are strongly encouraged to apply.
- **Members Only** may offer repayment for federally insured student loans, subject to approval by the appropriate service unit.
- The position is open to . Citizens, Nationals, or those who owe allegiance to the ., and applicants must submit a complete application package by the closing date of the announcement.
