Attorney Advisor

Appalachian Regional Commission; Washington (District of Columbia); On-site; USD 110,000 - 140,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

401(k)

Paid time off

Job summary

Appalachian Regional Commission seeks an Attorney Advisor to support the Office of General Counsel in delivering legal services to leadership, staff, and State partners. The role covers grants, contracts, ethics, and personnel matters, with compliance training and records management.

The incumbent will research statutes, analyze regulatory issues, and draft opinions under supervision of the General Counsel.

Qualifications

• Professional law degree (LL.B. or J.D.) from an accredited law school.
• Active bar admission and good standing in DC, US territory, or state.
• Minimum one year of relevant law experience or equivalent.
• U.S. citizenship and ability to complete a background security review.
• Valid driver's license; occasional travel within ARC region.

Responsibilities

• Provide legal advice to agency leadership and staff.
• Assist with grants, contracts, ethics, and personnel issues.
• Draft legal opinions and guidance on federal/state/local laws.
• Review legal instruments, records requests, and training on grant compliance.
• Utilize AI tools responsibly in accordance with professional standards.

Skills

Legal research

Policy analysis

Communication skills

Team collaboration

Training others

Education

J.D. or LL.B.

Bar admission in DC/State

Tools

Westlaw

Job description

Organization Overview

The Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) is an economic development entity of the federal government and 13 state governments focusing on 423 counties across the Appalachian Region. ARC’s mission is to innovate, partner, and invest to build community capacity and strengthen economic growth in Appalachia to help the Region achieve socioeconomic parity with the nation.

Position Summary

ARC seeks an Attorney Advisor to support the Office of General Counsel (OGC) in providing legal advice and services to agency leadership, staff, and State partners. Under the supervision of the General Counsel and senior attorneys, the incumbent applies professional legal knowledge to assist with administrative and programs law matters, including grants and cooperative agreements, contracts, ethics, employment and personnel issues, and the interpretation of federal, state, and local laws applicable to ARC programs. Duties include conducting legal research and analysis, interpreting statutes, regulations, and case law; assisting in the preparation of legal opinions and guidance; and advising on grant management, contracts administration, records management, and employee conduct. The incumbent supports drafting and review of legal instruments, responses to records requests, and delivery of training on federal grant compliance. Work requires application of legal principles, analytical reasoning, and sound judgement, as well as effective and ethical use of legal technologies, including generative AI, consistent with professional standards. This position reports directly to the General Counsel.

Required Qualifications

• Professional law degree (LL.B. or J.D.) from an accredited law school.


• Active member and in good standing of the bar of a state, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, or a U.S. territory.


• Minimum one year of relevant, professional law experience (including paid and/or unpaid experience); or a second professional law degree (Master of Laws [LL.M.]), provided it required at least one full academic year of graduate study; or Superior law student work or activities, as demonstrated by one of the following: academic standing in the upper third of the attorney's law school graduating class; work or achievement of significance on one of the attorney's law school's official law reviews or journals; special high-level honors for academic excellence in law school (e.g., membership in the Order of the Coif, winning a moot court competition, or membership on the moot court team that represents the law school in competition with other law schools); full-time or continuous participation in a legal aid program, as opposed to one (1) time, intermittent, or casual participation; significant summer law office clerk experience; or other evidence of clearly superior accomplishment or achievement.


• Successful completion (prior to hire) and maintenance of background security review; U.S. citizenship required.


• Must possess and maintain a valid driver's license. Occasional travel within the thirteen-state Appalachian region may be required.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Knowledge of federal, state, and local laws that impact ARC’s operations and program delivery. Experience providing legal counsel on laws, regulations, policies and procedures pertaining to federal grants management a plus.


• Knowledge of generative artificial intelligence and the ethical and professional responsibility requirements for attorney use of AI.


• Skilled in recognizing and analyzing key legal issues in a factual situation and applying well-reasoned analysis to reach clear, concise conclusions.


• Ability to research legal issues, analyze complex factual situations in light of general legal principles and the results of research, and prepare legal opinions.


• Ability to work collaboratively with managers, staff, attorneys and support personnel in a wide range of enforcement, litigation, policy‑making activities and legal counseling.


• Ability to communicate effectively with a diverse group of individuals, in and outside the legal profession, both orally and in writing, in both formal and informal settings.


• Ability to conduct trainings for a non‑legal audience.


• Core competencies: accountability, adaptability, collaboration, communication, and critical analysis.

Benefits

ARC offers a collaborative work environment and a competitive benefits package which includes health insurance, 401(k), paid time off, commuting subsidy, professional development, etc. This is not a federal position; however, if a federal employee is selected for this position and transfers without a break in service of more than three calendar days, he or she may be able to continue his or her retirement and life/health insurance benefits. ARC generally follows the General Schedule Salary Table of the Federal government. ARC's grades denoted by "NF" are equivalent to the federal grade(s) on the GS chart. This position is a NF12 (DC locality) is located in Washington, DC and requires five “in‑person” days in the office.

Equal Employment Policy

ARC is an equal employment opportunity employer and endeavors to make reasonable accommodations to the known physical or mental limitations of qualified applicants with a disability unless the accommodation would impose an undue hardship on the operation of ARC’s business. If an applicant believes he or she requires such assistance to complete the application or to participate in an interview, he or she should contact the Director, Human Resources. If an applicant has any questions or concerns, he or she should reach out to the Lisa Pansegrouw, Director, Human Resources at 202.884.7770 or at [e-mail]