Counsel I

Senate; Saint Paul (MN); Hybrid; USD 81,000 - 139,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

State benefits: health, dental, vision

Paid sick and vacation leave

11 paid holidays

Two floating holidays

Professional development opportunities

Job summary

The Minnesota Senate is seeking an attorney to join the Office of Senate Counsel, Research, and Fiscal Analysis as Senate Counsel I. This nonpartisan role provides legal, policy, research, and fiscal analysis services to Senators and Senate committees.

You will draft bills, amendments, memos, and bill summaries; conduct legal and non-legal research; and support committee hearings and floor sessions. The position requires a Juris Doctor and Minnesota bar admission or eligibility.

Qualifications

• Must hold a Juris Doctor from an ABA-accredited law school.
• Must be authorized to practice law in Minnesota OR able to demonstrate evidence of applying for admission to practice in Minnesota.
• Nonpartisan background and ability to work in a nonpartisan capacity.
• Strong legal and policy research and writing skills.

Responsibilities

• Draft bills, amendments, memos, and bill summaries for Senators and committees.
• Conduct legal and non-legal research to support legislative processes.
• Support Senate committee hearings and floor sessions.
• Meet with Senators, staff, state agency staff, lobbyists, and other stakeholders.

Skills

Legal research

Policy research

Oral communication

Written communication

Presentation skills

Nonpartisan capacity

Collaboration

Education

Juris Doctor from ABA-accredited law school

Job description

The office of Senate Counsel, Research, and Fiscal Analysis (SCRFA) is accepting applications for an attorney to fill a position as Senate Counsel I.

The Office of Senate Counsel, Research, and Fiscal Analysis (SCRFA) is a nonpartisan office that provides objective legal, policy, research, and fiscal analysis services to Senators and Senate committees. SCRFA serves all Senators regardless of party and does not advocate for or against legislation or policy positions. In this nonpartisan position, the successful candidate will be expected to remain free from political party affiliation, bias, or designation for the duration of the appointment. The credibility and reputation of this office, and the trust placed in it by senators and staff, depend on maintaining its nonpartisan status.

The Minnesota Senate prohibits discrimination and harassment and provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to any characteristics protected by federal, state, or local laws. The Minnesota Senate is committed to providing an inclusive and respectful workplace for our employees.

Who May Apply: Open to all qualified job seekers.

Salary: The full starting salary range for this position is $80,555.04 - $139,415.76 with salary level within this range commensurate with experience. New hires typically begin toward the lower end of the range, with starting salaries primarily determined by using the Minnesota Senate’s comprehensive salary calculator and are not individually negotiated within the full salary range. A salary premium is applied to the salary range minimum based upon how an applicant’s work experience aligns with the job responsibilities. Future salary movements may occur based on Senate policy, tenure, and work performance.

Telework: This position works on-site in the Minnesota Senate Building and Minnesota Capitol during the legislative session. When the legislature is not in session, flexible hybrid options may be available.

Days of Work/Hours: Monday-Friday/8am-5pm. This position requires long and irregular hours and the ability to meet tight deadlines during the legislative session (typically January through May), including evening and weekend work. Additional paid time off will be available.

Appointment Type: Full-time/Permanent

Status: Unclassified/At-will

Department: Senate Counsel, Research, and Fiscal Analysis

Reports to: Director of Senate Counsel, Research, and Fiscal Analysis

Closing Date: Applications will be accepted until a suitable candidate pool is determined. Resumes will be reviewed starting November 17, 2026.

Position Summary

A Senate counsel provides a wide variety of services to Senators and Senate staff throughout the legislative process. As Senate counsel, you would draft bills, amendments, memos, and bill summaries; conduct legal and non-legal research; support Senate committee hearings and floor sessions; and meet with Senators, staff, state agency staff, lobbyists, and other interested parties. Counsel works directly with Senators and staff to understand their goals, identify and evaluate possible options, and draft bills, amendments, or memos to achieve those goals.

A Senate counsel is assigned to one or more committees as part of a team of SCRFA staff, typically including a fiscal analyst and/or a research analyst. Through these assignments, counsel develop subject matter expertise in particular areas of law and becomes trusted resources on both substantive issues and the legislative process. Counsel also works closely with partisan staff and other Senate staff, making collaboration and strong working relationships an important part of the position.

Senate counsel does not make policy or advocate for or against particular policies. Their role is to provide objective, nonpartisan information, analysis, and options that enable Senators to make informed policy decisions.

Position Description Here

Minimum Qualifications:

A person applying for this position must:

• Possess a Juris Doctor from an ABA-accredited law school.
• Be authorized to practice law in Minnesota OR be authorized to practice law in another state and prior to appointment be able to demonstrate evidence of having applied for admission to practice law in Minnesota.
• Have a nonpartisan background.

Desired Skills and Experience:

• Strong legal and policy research skills.
• Effective oral, written, and presentation skills.
• Ability to adapt to changing priorities and manage multiple projects at the same time.
• Ability to identify issues, solve problems, and think creatively.
• Experience with the legislative process, experience with judicial or executive branch procedures, and/or experience in a professional legal setting.
• Strong interpersonal and collaborative skills.
• Ability to work in a nonpartisan capacity.

Skills to Possess or Develop:

Counsel will need to possess or develop the following skills to be successful in the position. SCRFA provides training and support to help counsel develop these skills:

• Speak effectively in public, including responding to questions and making presentations.
• Read, understand, and draft legislation and other legislative documents.
• Develop relevant subject matter expertise.
• Develop a thorough knowledge of the legislative process.
• Work effectively under tight deadlines and long hours.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with legislators, partisan and nonpartisan legislative staff, state agency staff, and others.

Benefits

This position is full-time and eligible for a variety of state benefits. Read more: https://mn.gov/mmb-stat/segip/doc/segip-benefit-overview.pdf. These benefits include insurance (medical, dental, vision, life, and others), paid sick and vacation leave, paid parental leave, eleven paid holidays, and two floating holidays. SCRFA also offers training and professional development opportunities.

An Equal Opportunity/ADA Employer