Associate/Senior Associate

Mariner Strategies LLC; United States; Remote; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Mariner Strategies LLC is a leading state public policy firm focusing on privacy and emerging technology, working with clients to shape state legislation and regulations across multiple sectors.

The Associate/Senior Associate will be the firm’s public voice with legislators and regulators, explaining complex issues, testifying, and persuading diverse audiences. Senior Associates may lead hearings and meetings with minimal oversight from home anywhere in the U.S.

Qualifications

• Exceptional oral advocacy and public speaking skills.
• Experience in live advocacy settings such as hearings or negotiations.
• Ability to persuade policymakers under pressure and handle tough questions.

Responsibilities

• Testify at state legislative and regulatory hearings.
• Meet with legislators and regulators as a subject matter expert.
• Represent clients in coalition meetings, working groups, and negotiations.
• Deliver presentations and briefings to clients and industry stakeholders.
• Think quickly and adjust messaging during negotiations and hearings.
• Register as a state lobbyist when required.

Skills

Oral advocacy

Public speaking

Live advocacy

Composure under pressure

Attention to detail

Education

Juris Doctor (JD) from ABA-accredited law school

Job description

Mariner Strategies LLC is the leading state public policy firm in the nation for privacy and emerging technology issues, at both the legislative and regulatory levels. Our clients come to us for state advocacy, for help building public policy functions inside their organizations, and for public policy strategy on data privacy, cybersecurity, and biometrics. Mariner leads two multi-sector coalitions in addition to providing counsel for individual companies. We work with Fortune 50 companies and young entities alike.

The Role

We are looking for an Associate or Senior Associate who is willing to work very hard for a diverse and interesting group of clients on emerging technology regulation, with a particular emphasis on state privacy legislation. The person we hire will be one of the firm’s public voices in front of legislators, regulators, and stakeholders. They will often be the person in the room or at the witness table who has to make the case, answer hard questions in real time, and persuade skeptical audiences. The role requires a deep knowledge of state privacy legislation.

Title and responsibilities will match the candidate's experience. Senior Associates will be expected to lead hearings, legislator meetings, and stakeholder negotiations with minimal oversight.

This position can be based remotely anywhere in the United States, within a reasonable distance of a major airport. It is a full-time, salaried position with retirement and benefits.

Duties and Responsibilities

Oral Advocacy and Representation

• Testify at state legislative and regulatory hearings. This includes giving prepared testimony and handling unscripted questioning from committee members and regulators.
• Meet with legislators, legislative staff, and executive branch officials as a subject matter expert. In these meetings you will explain complex technology and privacy issues clearly and advocate persuasively for client positions.
• Represent clients in external stakeholder meetings, including coalition meetings, working groups, and negotiations with opposing interests.
• Deliver presentations, briefings, and panel remarks to clients, trade associations, and industry and policy audiences.
• Think on your feet and adjust messaging in real time as legislative negotiations and hearing dynamics change.
• Register as a state lobbyist as necessary.

Written Advocacy and Analysis

• Draft legislative testimony, including oral remarks, talking points, and anticipated question-and-answer preparation.
• Draft amendments to state legislation.
• Track, analyze, and report on relevant state legislation to clients.

Client Service

• Communicate frequently and professionally with clients, including leading client calls and giving real-time strategic advice.
• Travel as necessary, including on short notice, approximately 10%-20% of the time within the U.S., mainly for hearings, legislator meetings, and in-person advocacy.
• Senior Associate candidates should have demonstrated experience or interest in business development.

Skills and Qualifications

Required

• Exceptional oral advocacy and public speaking skills, with a proven ability to persuade policymakers and stakeholders. Superior oral and written communication skills are a baseline requirement.
• Demonstrated experience in live advocacy settings, such as legislative or regulatory testimony, lobbying meetings, oral argument, trial or hearing work, or high-stakes negotiations.
• Composure and credibility under pressure, including the ability to answer difficult or adversarial questions accurately and confidently.
• JD from an ABA-accredited law school.
• At least 3 to 5 years of legal and/or public policy experience. Senior Associate candidates will typically have more experience and a record of leading advocacy work independently.
• Current bar admission in a U.S. state jurisdiction.
• Sophisticated understanding of the legislative process.
• Attention to detail and willingness to learn new subject matter.
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