Attorney

Maryland Court Reporters; Washington (District of Columbia); On-site; USD 85,000 - 115,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Life insurance

Retirement benefits

Transit benefits

Student loan repayment program

Job summary

The Office of the Legislative Counsel of the U.S. House of Representatives (HOLC) seeks two attorneys starting in March 2027 and three attorneys starting in September 2027.

Attorneys draft legislation, analyze policy, and advise on constitutionality in a nonpartisan environment. Candidates must graduate from an ABA-accredited law school, maintain bar membership within one year, and demonstrate exceptional writing, legal analysis, and communication skills.

Qualifications

• ABA-accredited law degree required.
• Active bar membership within the U.S. or D.C. within one year of graduation.
• Strong written and oral communication, and legal analysis skills.

Responsibilities

• Draft legislation and prepare bills at each stage of the process.
• Analyze policy proposals and conduct legal research to draft statutory language.
• Advise clients on legal effects and constitutionality of proposed measures.

Skills

Written communication

Legal analysis

Interpersonal skills

Oral communication

Education

J.D. (ABA-accredited)

Job description

Attorney

Office Description:

The Office of the Legislative Counsel of the U.S.House of Representatives (HOLC) transforms the policy goals of Members andcommittees of the House into clear, concise, and legally effective legislativelanguage to help ensure that the legislation introduced and debated inCongress, and the enacted laws of the United States, clearly expresscongressional intent. HOLC carries outthis mission by providing expert legislative drafting services and relatedlegal services on a non-partisan, impartial, and confidential basis.

HOLC seeks to hire 2 attorneys starting in March2027 and 3 attorneys starting in September 2027.

HOLC attorneys draft legislation and perform related legal functions on a nonpartisan basis in support of the Members and committees of the House of Representatives. HOLC attorneys address a broad spectrum of legal issues, including questions involving constitutional, statutory, and administrative law, and frequently provide legal analysis related to emerging and novel areas of Federal law. Attorneys in the office do not directly make policy but engage with policy for the purpose of making sure that legislation accurately reflects the policy of the committee or Member for whom it is being drafted. The duties of an HOLC attorney include the following:

• Drafting legislation and preparing bills at each stage of the legislative process.
• Analyzing policy proposals, engaging with clients, applying relevant legal principles and court decisions, and conducting research as necessary to prepare effective statutory language.
• Advising clients regarding the legal effect and constitutionality of proposed legislative measures in the context of existing laws and legislative procedure.
• Attending sessions of subcommittees and full committees of the House and conference committees between the House and the Senate.
• Responding to questions from legislators and legislative staff.
• Leading and participating in drafting sessions and other meetings, including both online and in person.
• Communicating with various stakeholders, at the request of the Member or committee, as necessary to draft legislation.
• After gaining sufficient experience, training and mentoring other attorneys.

HOLC attorneys perform these duties in response to the needs of the House, which sometimes requires working on short deadlines and working at night and on weekends.

A successful candidate will demonstrate the following:

• A commitment to nonpartisan public service, exceptional writing, legal analysis, interpersonal, and oral communication skills, a strong academic background, intellectual curiosity, and an openness to long-term employment with HOLC.
• The ability to work effectively alone and with others, an ability to work well under pressure, and an ability to maintain effective working relationships with colleagues and clients.
• The ability to analyze complex problems and handle difficult situations as they arise with judgment, tact, and discretion.

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Qualifications

An HOLC attorney must meet the following minimum qualifications:

• Graduated from a law school accredited by the American Bar Association prior to the commencement of employment.
• Beginning not later than one year after such commencement, maintain an active membership in the bar of a State, the District of Columbia, or a territory of the United States.
• Be a U.S. citizen.

Supplemental Information

HOLC is an equal opportunity employer.

The Legislative Counsel, who is appointed by theSpeaker of the House, appoints and fixes the compensation of the personnel of HOLC,subject to the approval of the Speaker. The starting salary for the attorney positionis $100,274.40 annually. The House offersa comprehensive benefits package, including health and life insurance,retirement benefits, transit benefits, and a student loan repaymentprogram.

Continued employment is contingent upon satisfactorilycompleting a criminal history record check. Employment with the U.S. House of Representatives is at-will.