Commission on Immigration - Staff Attorney 1

American Bar Association; Washington (District of Columbia); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

American Bar Association seeks a professional to undertake substantive legal work for a grant-funded project and provide expert support to ABA entities. You will conduct research, write memoranda and articles, and may supervise non-attorney staff.

The role requires JD and active bar admission, with strong written and verbal communication skills and the ability to work independently within a team of professionals. Some travel may be required.

Qualifications

• Requires JD and active bar admission in at least one jurisdiction.
• Excellent written and verbal communication.
• Ability to exercise independent judgement and manage multiple tasks.

Responsibilities

• Conduct legal research; write memoranda, speeches, and articles, including for publication.
• Provide substantive advice, information and policy; serve as ABA expert on a substantive area of law or public policy; interact with officials and media.
• Analyze laws, regulations, court rules and policies; prepare memoranda; provide guidance to clients or ABA committees.
• Coordinate or support member sub-groups or advisory committees; supervise interns/externs.
• Give presentations and/or teach on legal and public policy issues; design substantive content of events; develop model documents; conduct trainings.
• Research, draft, author, review and critique legislative/rule/policy or regulatory text; manage policy adoption process.
• Performs other related duties as required.

Skills

Communication skills

Organizational skills

Independent judgement

Policy knowledge

Education

Juris Doctor (JD)

Job description

Job Summary/General Purpose of Job

• Undertakes substantive legal work for a grant funded project or provides substantive support and expertise to an ABA entity. Supervised by a more senior attorney or experienced professional. Includes research, writing, and speaking. May have supervisory duties of non-attorney staff.
  

Essential Job Functions and Responsibilities

• Conduct legal or other research; write memoranda, speeches, and articles, including for publication.
• Provide substantive advice, information and policy. Serve as principal ABA expert on a substantive area of law or public policy. May conduct research and meetings, develop recommendations and memoranda. Includes contacts with government entities including officials, and with media
• Analyze laws, regulations, court rules and policies/policy proposals. Prepare memoranda on law or public policy. Provide guidance to client or ABA committees.
• Coordinate or support member sub-groups or advisory committees, and coordinate with external constituencies. Manage interns/externs.
• Give presentations and/or teach on legal and public policy issues. Act as a consultant designing substantive content of events, developing model documents, and conducting trainings.
• Technological legal tool development/use
• Research, draft, author, review and critique legislative/rule/policy or regulatory text. Manage policy adoption process.
• Performs other related duties as required.
  

Required Education, Qualifications, Experience

• Requires JD and active bar admission in at least one jurisdiction. 0-3 years legal experience.
• Requires outstanding communication skills, excellent organizational skills and ability to exercise independent judgement.
• May occasionally conduct attorney trainings and/or plan/host conferences.

Preferred Education, Qualifications, Experience

• Spanish written and oral fluency.

Physical Requirements

• Typical office work environment.

Extent of Travel Required in the Job

• Some travel required.