Legislative Assistant

Orrick Herrington & Suttcliffe; Santa Monica (CA); Hybrid; USD 40,000 - 65,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health benefits

Paid Time Off

Parental leave benefits

401K program

Job summary

Orrick Herrington & Suttcliffe is seeking a Legislative Assistant in Santa Monica. This hybrid position supports the Public Policy Group's innovative government affairs team across multiple states.

The ideal candidate will manage legislative research, advocacy material preparation, and administrative support. Applicants should possess strong organizational skills and 2 years of relevant experience. The position offers a competitive salary, health benefits, and a collaborative work environment.

Qualifications

• 2 years of experience in government affairs, political campaigns, or public policy.
• Strong research and analytical skills.
• Exceptional organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Ability to juggle multiple projects in a fast-paced environment.

Responsibilities

• Conduct legislative and political research.
• Monitor legislation and political developments.
• Assist in preparation of advocacy materials.
• Support operational and administrative tasks.

Skills

Research skills

Writing skills

Organizational skills

Interpersonal skills

Analytical skills

Communication skills

Proactivity

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

Microsoft Office

Legislative tracking platforms

Job description

Overview

Orrick's Public Policy Group is seeking a Legislative Assistant to join our highly innovative 50-state government affairs team. This is a hybrid position with flexibility for candidates preferably based in San Francisco, Los Angeles, Santa Monica or Orange County office. Consideration also for the New York or Washington, DC offices.

The Opportunity: This role is ideal for a government affairs professional with approximately 2 years of relevant experience who thrives in a fast-paced environment, is highly organized, intellectually curious, and eager to support complex multi-state legislative campaigns. The Legislative Assistant will play a critical role supporting senior members of the Public Policy Group through research, project coordination, operational support, and day-to-day team management functions.

Orrick's Public Policy Group advises some of the most innovative companies in the country on high-profile legislative matters across all 50 states. Our clients include leading companies in technology, sports betting, entertainment, finance, and emerging industries.

We are looking for someone who is proactive, detail-oriented, and comfortable working independently in a distributed team environment where senior team members frequently travel and manage multiple priorities simultaneously. The ideal candidate is resourceful, responsive, and able to anticipate team needs while managing competing deadlines.

Responsibilities

• Conduct legislative, political, and stakeholder research across multiple states and issue areas.
• Monitor and track legislation, hearings, and political developments relevant to client priorities.
• Prepare internal research memoranda, legislative summaries, meeting notes, background materials, and briefing documents for senior team members.
• Assist with preparation of advocacy materials, presentations, hearing preparation, and policy research.
• Support coordination of multi-state legislative campaigns and maintain internal trackers, databases, and organizational systems.
• Coordinate logistics and materials preparation for meetings, conferences, fundraisers, and industry events.
• Provide day-to-day operational and administrative support to senior team members, including scheduling coordination, meeting preparation, document management, and other team support functions as needed.
• Assist with business development research and internal strategic initiatives.
• Take ownership of assignments and proactively identify opportunities to improve team processes and efficiency.

Qualifications

• Approximately 2 years of experience in government affairs, state government, political campaigns, legislative offices, public policy, consulting, or a related field.
• Strong research, writing, and analytical skills.
• Exceptional organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Ability to manage multiple assignments and shifting priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
• Highly proactive, dependable, and comfortable working independently in a distributed team environment.
• Professional judgment and discretion when handling sensitive or confidential matters.
• Interest in state legislative processes and political strategy across multiple jurisdictions.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and legislative tracking platforms (Policy Note, BGov, etc.) is preferred.
• Bachelor's degree required; advanced degree not required.

What We're Looking For

• Takes initiative without waiting for direction.
• Is comfortable juggling multiple projects simultaneously.
• Can synthesize large amounts of information quickly and clearly.
• Enjoys being part of a collaborative, high-performing team.
• Is eager to learn and grow within a fast-moving public policy practice.

Compensation and Benefits

The expected salary range for this position is:

• New York City and San Francisco $45,000 - $68,000.
• Washington DC, Los Angeles, Orange County, Santa Monica, $40,000 - $65,000

Orrick is committed to providing a comprehensive, competitive, and thoughtful total compensation package to our attorneys and staff, wherever they work. This compensation and benefits information is based on the Orrick's estimate as of the date of publication and may be modified in the future. The level of pay within the range will depend on a variety of job-related factors that may include, but not limited to, qualifications, relevant experience or education, particular skills or expertise, geography. Other compensation may include an annual discretionary merit bonus, which would be determined by Firm and individual performance.

We offer a full range of elective health benefits including medical, dental, vision and life; robust mental well-being programs; child, family, elder, and pet care benefits; short- and long-term disability and industry leading parental leave benefits, health savings account contributions (w/applicable medical plan), flexible spending accounts, and a 401K program. This role will receive compensated time off through our Paid Time Off program and paid holidays.

Equal Opportunity Employment

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Consistent with the SF Fair Chance Ordinance, an arrest and conviction record will not automatically disqualify a qualified applicant from consideration.

Qualified applicants with criminal histories will be considered for the position in a manner consistent with the requirements of the Los Angeles Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring.