Attorney, Director I (Legislative Counsel, FDA) - (Hybrid)

American Medical Association; Washington (District of Columbia); Hybrid; USD 153,000 - 207,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Incentive plan

Excellent benefits

Job summary

American Medical Association in Washington, DC seeks an Attorney, Dir I (Legislative Counsel Lifestyle Medicine) for its Government Affairs team. This hybrid role requires three days in the Washington, DC office at 25 Massachusetts Avenue NW, to provide legal counsel on legislative, regulatory, and advocacy matters with emphasis on FDA and lifestyle medicine.

The role involves leading significant policy issues, preparing testimony, and briefing stakeholders across Congress, administrations, and

Qualifications

• J.D. degree and active Bar membership required.
• 10+ years professional experience and 3+ years health law experience; health association background preferred.
• Subject matter expertise of US legislative, federal regulatory process required.
• Strong analytical and writing skills for policy and advocacy documents.
• Some travel may be required.

Responsibilities

• Provide legal counsel on legislative, regulatory, and advocacy matters affecting AMA.
• Lead portfolio on assigned issues with policy and advocacy strategies.
• Prepare testimony, draft letters, and strategic communications for Congress and agencies.
• Brief national medical societies and AMA Sections on policy issues.
• Mentor junior attorneys and coordinate cross-unit advocacy work.

Skills

Legislative advocacy

Regulatory analysis

FDA law

Health law

Policy development

Education

J.D. degree

Bar admission in good standing

Job description

Attorney, Dir I
(Legislative Counsel Lifestyle Medicine) - (Hybrid)

Washington, D.C.

The American Medical Association (AMA) is the nation's largest professional Association of physicians and a non‑profit organization. We are a unifying voice and powerful ally for America’s physicians, the patients they care for, and the promise of a healthier nation. To be part of the AMA is to be part of our Mission to promote the art and science of medicine and the betterment of public health.

At AMA, our mission to improve the health of the nation starts with our people. We foster an inclusive, people‑first culture where every employee is empowered to perform at their best. Together, we advance meaningful change in health care and the communities we serve.

We encourage and support professional development for our employees, and we are dedicated to social responsibility. We invite you to learn more about us and we look forward to getting to know you.

We have an opportunity at our corporate offices in Washington D.C. for an Attorney, Dir I (Legislative Counsel Lifestyle Medicine) - (Hybrid) on our Government Affairs team. This is a hybrid position reporting into our Washington, DC office, requiring 3 days a week in the office. 25 Massachusetts Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20001-7400 USA

As an Attorney, Dir I (Legislative Counsel Lifestyle Medicine), under the supervision of the Director, you will provide legal counsel and support on legislative, regulatory, and advocacy matters impacting the American Medical Association (AMA), with an emphasis on FDA, drugs, lifestyle medicine, and other issues of interest to the AMA. This role involves analyzing and interpreting complex legislation, regulations, and judicial opinions to inform and guide AMA Advocacy staff, Senior Management, Council on Legislation, Board of Trustees, AMA House of Delegates, and other constituencies. Responsible for preparing AMA testimony, brief witnesses, and draft strategic advocacy materials to advance AMA policy objectives. Independently lead an assigned portfolio of significant legislative and regulatory issues, serving as a strategic legal advisor and developing recommended policy and advocacy approaches within the portfolio.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

Legislative & Regulatory Advocacy

• Serves as internal expert and provides legal, legislative, and regulatory advice to Advocacy units, as well as other AMA business units on a wide variety of complex AMA issues, focusing on FDA and lifestyle medicine.
• Advances AMA's legislative and regulatory agenda by identifying and analyzing emerging federal legislation and regulation, assessing implications for AMA priorities, and developing recommended policy and advocacy approaches on assigned issue.
• Identifies AMA position on legislation and regulation and/or identifies the need to develop a position in the absence of pertinent policy and prepares/coordinates formal AMA response to proposed regulations.
• Represents the AMA to external groups and participates in coalition meetings to advocate policy goals of the Organization.
• Prepares a broad array of persuasive advocacy documents, draft comment letters, and strategic communications on assigned issue areas for Congressional, Administrative, and grassroots operations of the Washington Office.
• Develops responses to oral and written inquiries from Congress, the Administration, other organizations (i.e. the Federation, member physicians, and others) regarding AMA policy.
• Develops arguments and "talking points" to assist lobbying and grassroots communication efforts and contributes to direct issue lobbying as necessary and appropriate.
• Briefs national medical specialty societies, state medical societies, and various AMA Sections or their representatives on request.
• Prepares AMA written testimony and oral statements on assigned issue areas to be presented by Board of Trustees members before Congress, federal agencies, and boards.
• Extensively prepares and briefs AMA witnesses for formal appearances in public forums, including preparation of effective responses to anticipated questions.
• Leads a portfolio based on subject matter expertise, determining the analytical framework and recommended approach, coordinating work across Advocacy and other business unites, and driving execution as issues evolve. Serve as a subject matter expert across business units and is available to guide/mentor junior attorneys as needed.

Policy Development & Advisory

• Advises Council members on legislative and political aspects of top issues, especially the Executive Committee and Workgroup members, and keeps them apprised of the status of key legislative and regulatory issues.
• Assists the Reference Committee B Secretary at the AMA Annual or Interim meeting as assigned
• Develops and delivers presentations to specialty and state societies, or other organizations, on relevant legislative or regulatory issues of importance to the House of Medicine.
• Prepares and presents substantive written and oral issue briefings on assigned issue areas; develops proposed policy and advocacy approaches when existing AMA policy does not clearly address an emerging issue; and provides recommendations to the Council on Legislation at its formal meetings.

May include other responsibilities as assigned

REQUIREMENTS:

1. J.D. degree and active membership in good standing in at least one state Bar required
2. 10+ years professional experience and 3+ years health law experience required; previous legislative, federal agency, or association experience is highly preferred
3. Subject matter expertise of the U.S. Congressional, legislative, and/or federal regulatory process required
4. Demonstrated strategic judgment and ability to independently lead complex, cross‑functional advocacy initiatives
5. Proven experience with physician‑related issues in a wide variety of health law subjects such as FDA, lifestyle medicine, and drugs
6. Extensive knowledge of the AMA's and Federation's organizational structure and policy development processes highly preferred
7. Excellent analytical and critical thinking skills required
8. Strong verbal communication and presentation skills
9. Strong writing and editing skills to compose and edit polished and persuasive legislative and regulatory advocacy documents to meet short deadlines
10. Strong project leadership and organizational skills to prioritize complex work and coordinate cross‑functional activity
11. Interpersonal skills to include persuasiveness and relationship building
12. Political acumen
13. Some travel required

This role is an exempt position, and the salary range for this position is $153,355-$207,144. This is the lowest to highest salary we believe we would pay for this role at the time of this posting. An employee's pay within the salary range will be determined by a variety of factors including but not limited to business consideration and geographical location, as well as candidate qualifications, such as skills, education, and experience. Employees are also eligible to participate in an incentive plan. To learn more about the American Medical Association's benefits offerings, please click here.

The AMA offers competitive salaries, including an incentive plan and excellent benefits. Our office is a business casual environment, and we respect work‑life balance. The American Medical Association is located near Union Station and the Capitol in Washington D.C.

We are an equal opportunity employer, committed to diversity in our workforce. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment. As an EOE/AA employer, the American Medical Association will not discriminate in its employment practices due to an applicant's race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity and veteran or disability status.

THE AMA IS COMMITTED TO IMPROVING THE HEALTH OF THE NATION