About This Position
The Senate Office of the Legislative Counsel (SOLC) is responsible for drafting and editing nearly all legislation considered by the Senate. The SOLC is a nonpartisan and nonpolitical office of the Senate, comprised of approximately 45 attorneys who serve all Members, committees, and staff of the Senate. An SOLC Staff Attorney works as part of a team of 7 to 8 other attorneys who specialize in various areas of Federal law, with assistance and mentoring provided by a more senior attorney.
Qualifications
Hiring Criteria - A Staff Attorney applicant must satisfy the following minimum requirements: A record of academic excellence, evidenced by ranking in the top one-half of the applicant's law school class. Enrollment in, or graduation from, an ABA-accredited law school. An ability to write clearly and concisely. No substantial participation with any political party or cause. A commitment to public service.
Major Duties
The position of Staff Attorney is full-time, with substantial evening and weekend overtime occasionally required to serve the needs of the Senate. The responsibilities of an SOLC Staff Attorney include the following: Drafting and editing bills, resolutions, conference reports, and amendments for committees, Members, and staff of the Senate. Analyzing proposed legislation for legal sufficiency and constitutionality.
Researching the law and its development in relation to a proposal being analyzed or drafted. Working closely with SOLC attorneys and Senate staff to analyze proposed policy and its implications, in order to produce professional quality legislation.
Conditions of Employment
Before joining the Office as a Staff Attorney, an applicant must be a graduate of an ABA-accredited law school. Not later than 1 year after joining the Office, a Staff Attorney must be a member in good standing of a State bar.
Education
See 'Qualifications' for requirements.
How You Will Be Evaluated
The Staff Attorney position is filled on the basis of demonstrated academic achievement, writing ability, work experience (including employment outside of the legal profession), and in-person or video interviews.
Additional Information
Veterans' Preference Applicants: Hiring for this position within the SOLC will be governed by the Veterans Employment Opportunities Act of 1998 (Public Law 105-339; 112 Stat. 3182) ('VEOA'), including referenced provisions of the Congressional Accountability Act of 1995 (2 U.S.C. 1301 et seq.) ('CAA'). Pursuant to the VEOA, certain veterans (and certain family members of those veterans) ('eligible individuals') may, if qualified for the applicable position, be eligible to receive a preference in hiring decisions. To be eligible to receive such a preference, an applicant must meet all of the requirements set forth in the VEOA and applicable regulations.
Those eligibility requirements are summarized in the SOLC's Veterans' Preference Document Submission Form (https://sen.gov/KXMJ4). If claiming such a preference, an applicant must submit the Veterans' Preference Application (https://sen.gov/LVNK7), along with the specified supporting documentation. This information is intended solely for use in connection with the SOLC's obligations and efforts to provide preference to eligible individuals in accordance with the VEOA.
If the SOLC does not receive the Veterans' Preference Application and supporting documentation by the closing date specified in this announcement, the claim by the applicant for the preference will be denied. An applicant may obtain a copy of the SOLC veterans' preference policy summary by submitting a written request to [email protected]. Identification of disabled veteran status relating to the veterans' preference is requested on a voluntary basis.
The status of an individual as a disabled veteran and any information regarding a disability, including the medical condition and history of an individual, will be kept confidential and will be collected, maintained, and used only in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 12101 et seq.), as made applicable by section 102(a)(3) of the CAA (2 U.S.C. 1302(a)(3)). An applicant who declines to provide information regarding disabled veteran status will not be subjected to adverse treatment, but may be ruled ineligible for a veterans' preference as a disabled veteran.
How to Apply
Please submit an application through https://sen.gov/JQL26.
Required Documents
The application for the Staff Attorney position requires a cover letter, a resume, an unofficial law school transcript, and a writing sample demonstrating legal research and analysis of not more than 10 pages. The writing sample should be solely written by the applicant and not published under the name of any other person.
Your cover letter, resume, or transcript should clearly provide your law school class rank or estimated class standing, or any information regarding class standing that your law school provides. See 'How to Apply' for instructions.