Staff Attorney

Legislative Branch

Senate

U.S. Senate Office of the Legislative Counsel

Summary

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.

This job is open to

The public

U.S. Citizens, Nationals or those who owe allegiance to the U.S.

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.

Requirements

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.

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.

Education

See 'Qualifications' for requirements.

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 vetrecruiting@slc.senate.gov. 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.

Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

A Staff Attorney receives a starting salary of $102,415, with competitive increases in salary similar to those provided under the Attorney General's Honors Program. The SOLC is committed to furthering the professional development of its employees throughout their careers with the SOLC and to providing a positive work-life balance. To the extent funding and the needs of the Senate allow, the SOLC currently offers its employees the following:

Participation in the Senate Federal student loan tuition repayment benefit program. SOLC employment qualifies for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program offered by the Department of Education.
Options for telework and flextime (subject to current Office policies) and public transit subsidies.
An annual allotment of paid leave (including annual leave, health leave, and Federal holidays) and a paid gender-neutral family and medical leave program.
Retirement and insurance programs, including Federal Employees Retirement System coverage, matching funds for contributions under the Thrift Savings Plan, and group life and long-term care insurance coverage.
Additional benefits for employees and their families, including coverage under the Federal Employees Health Benefits program, access to dental and vision plans, health care and dependent care flexible spending accounts, an onsite fitness facility for employees (subject to membership fees), and priority access for admission to the Senate Employees' Child Care Center.

How you will be evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

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.

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.

If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:

Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.

How to Apply

Please submit an application through https://sen.gov/JQL26.

Agency contact information

Human Resources

Email: recruiting@slc.senate.gov

Address: US Senate Office of the Legislative Counsel
668 Dirksen Senate Office Building
Washington, DC 20510
US

Next steps

We will review your application and qualifications and will contact you if further information is needed or to arrange an interview. Only those applicants selected for an interview will be notified.

The Senate Office of the Legislative Counsel is an equal opportunity employer. The Office reserves the right to conduct a background check before final selection, including a reference check, Internet name searches, and a criminal background check.

Staff Attorney Job in Washington, DC