Legislative Attorney

State of South Dakota; Pierre (SD); On-site; USD 74,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

The State of South Dakota, through the Legislative Research Council in Pierre, seeks a permanent, full-time Legislative Attorney to assist legislators with legal research and policy development. The position emphasizes objective analysis, accurate data, and clear communication of complex legal topics to lawmakers and the public.

Requirements include a Juris Doctorate from an ABA-accredited school and an active State Bar of South Dakota license or eligibility within one year.

Qualifications

• Juris Doctorate from an ABA-accredited law school.
• Active license in good standing with the State Bar of South Dakota, or the ability to become eligible for and admitted within one year after employment.
• Ability to remain objective and nonpartisan, maintain confidentiality, and handle politically sensitive work.

Responsibilities

• Provide accurate, objective research for legislative committees and legislators.
• Draft and edit bills, resolutions, and amendments to implement legislators’ ideas.
• Staff standing committees during legislative sessions, developing agendas and preparing committee reports.
• Support interim committees, assist with meeting arrangements, and prepare final reports.
• Review administrative rules for form, style, and compliance with statutory authority.
• Research and write issue memoranda and develop resources for the Legislature and the public.

Skills

Legal research

Legal writing

Nonpartisan stance

Confidentiality

Education

Juris Doctorate (ABA-accredited)

Job description

Job ID: 37502 - Legislative Attorney

Agency: Legislative Research Council

Location: Pierre, SD

Closing Date: Open Until Filled

This is a full-time position with the Legislative Research Council, in Pierre, SD. For more information on the Legislative Research Council, please visit the LRC website.

The Legislative Research Council, which is the nonpartisan research and support staff to the South Dakota State Legislature, is accepting applications for a permanent, full-time Legislative Attorney. An applicant must have an interest in the legislative process and be results-oriented, honest, discrete, trustworthy, and articulate.

Duties And Responsibilities

A Legislative Attorney will assist legislators by providing accurate, objective, and relevant research information, informed by a professional understanding of the law. The significant duties include:

• Compiling data and conducting general and legal research for legislative committees and individual legislators and presenting alternative solutions for their consideration;
• Conferring with and advising legislators on legislative legal questions;
• Drafting and editing bills, resolutions, and amendments to implement legislators’ ideas;
• Staffing standing committees of the South Dakota Legislature during legislative sessions, consulting with committee chairs to develop agendas and obtain testimony, and preparing committee reports;
• Staffing interim committees, consulting with committee chairs to develop agendas, assisting with meeting arrangements, preparing background materials, and preparing final reports;
• Reviewing administrative rules for form, style, clarity, and compliance with statutory authority; and
• Researching and writing issue memoranda and developing other resources on selected topics for review and use by the Legislature, Legislative Research Council staff, and the public.

Minimum Qualifications

• A Juris Doctorate from an ABA-accredited law school;
• An active license in good standing with the State Bar of South Dakota, or the ability to become eligible for and become admitted to the State Bar of South Dakota within one year after employment; and
• The ability to remain objective and nonpartisan in relation to all legislative matters, maintain confidentiality, and handle politically sensitive work.

Preferred Qualifications

• Very strong writing skills;
• Strong research and analytical skills;
• A willingness to develop expertise in various subject areas;
• The ability to communicate, both orally and in writing, in a manner that clearly and efficiently conveys information to legislators and the public; and
• The ability to work under tight deadlines and extended hours during the legislative session.

Salary Range

For an entry level Legislative Attorney, the annual salary will range from $74,000 to $92,000. For a Senior Legislative Attorney with previous related experience, the annual salary will range from $88,000 to $130,000. The actual starting salary will depend on qualifications and experience.