Legislative Counsel: Nonpartisan Bill Drafting

NCSL Juvenile Justice Principles Work Group; Denver (CO); Hybrid; USD 81,000 - 139,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Additional paid time off

Job summary

The Minnesota Senate’s Office of Senate Counsel, Research, and Fiscal Analysis (SCRFA) seeks a Senate counsel to provide objective legal and policy analysis to Senators and committees, draft bills, amendments, and memos, and support committee hearings. The role emphasizes nonpartisanship and collaboration.

This on-site position offers a competitive salary with potential hybrid options outside the legislative session; long hours during session and tight deadlines; standard benefits.

Qualifications

• 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.

Responsibilities

• Draft bills, amendments, memos, and bill summaries; conduct legal and non-legal research; support Senate committee hearings and floor sessions; meet with Senators, staff, state agency staff, lobbyists, and other interested parties.
• Counsel works directly with Senators and staff to understand goals, identify options, and draft bills, amendments, or memos to achieve those goals.
• Assigned to one or more committees as part of a SCRFA team, typically including a fiscal analyst and/or a research analyst.
• Develop subject matter expertise in particular areas of law and become a trusted resource on substantive issues and the legislative process.
• Work closely with partisan staff and other Senate staff; collaboration and strong relationships are essential.
• Senate counsel does not make policy or advocate for or against policies; provide objective information, analysis, and options to enable informed decisions.

Skills

Strong legal and policy research

Effective oral, written, and presenta

Adaptable to changing priorities

Issue identification and problem solvi

Experience with the legislative proce

Experience with judicial or exec brach

Professional legal setting experience

Interpersonal and collaborative skills

Nonpartisan capacity

Education

Juris Doctor (J.D.) from ABA-accredited law school

Job description

The Minnesota Senate’s Office of Senate Counsel, Research, and Fiscal Analysis (SCRFA) seeks a Senate counsel to provide objective legal and policy analysis to Senators and committees, draft bills, amendments, and memos, and support committee hearings. The role emphasizes nonpartisanship and collaboration.

This on-site position offers a competitive salary with potential hybrid options outside the legislative session; long hours during session and tight deadlines; standard benefits.