Public Policy Assistant (Part-time/temporary)

Manatt, Phelps & Phillips, LLP; Washington (District of Columbia); On-site; USD 23,000 - 32,000; Part time

Job summary

Manatt, Phelps & Phillips, LLP in Washington, DC is seeking a Public Policy Assistant for a part‑time 20 hours per week role within the Government Advocacy & Contracting Group. You will conduct substantive issue research, attend hearings, and prepare summaries, memoranda and client‑facing presentations.

The position emphasizes strong writing, research, and analytical skills, with attention to detail and the ability to manage multiple tasks in a fast‑paced environment.

Qualifications

• Strong analytical and critical‑thinking abilities with exceptional attention to detail.
• Superior writing, editing and research skills.
• Practical understanding of executive and legislative branch processes.
• Ability to manage multiple tasks, meet deadlines, and adapt to changing priorities.
• Professional communication skills and the ability to collaborate effectively with team members at all levels.
• Strong Outlook, Excel and Word skills required.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Effective analytical, logical reasoning, and problem‑solving abilities.

Responsibilities

• Conduct substantive issue research and monitor congressional and executive branch agency activity, including attending and compiling detailed notes for relevant hearings.
• Draft memoranda, white papers, and presentations for client‑facing meetings and internal briefings.
• Research, draft, and distribute comprehensive monthly reports detailing legislative, regulatory, and policy developments relevant to clients (Monthly and/or Weekly).
• Produce concise Week Ahead reports summarizing upcoming legislative hearings, meetings, and policy events, and prepare Week Recap documents highlighting significant activities and policy changes from the previous week (Weekly).
• Create and curate a weekly Federal Grants Newsletter identifying and summarizing relevant federal grant opportunities, application deadlines, and funding trends aligned with organizational goals (Weekly).
• Maintain and update an Appropriations/Earmarks Tracker to monitor the status, progress, and funding levels of key appropriations bills and budgetary items, with weekly updates during the appropriations request period.
• Document and summarize advocacy wins, legislative achievements, and successful engagements by the government affairs team for internal and external communications (Ongoing/Regular updates).
• Track scheduling and logistics for client fly‑ins, including drafting scheduling documents, briefing materials, and providing logistics support as needed.
• Draft and edit various materials, such as talking points, briefing memos, presentations, press releases, and correspondence for senior staff (As needed).

Skills

Analytical thinking

Excellent writing

Research

Time management

Professional communication

Excel

Word

Attention to detail

Tools

Excel

Word

Job description

With eleven offices across the United States, 500+ professionals and 350+ business professionals, Manatt, Phelps & Phillips, LLP (www.manatt.com), is a multidisciplinary, integrated national professional services firm known for quality and an extraordinary commitment to clients. The Firm’s groundbreaking approach—bringing together legal services, advocacy and business strategy—differentiates Manatt from its competitors and positions the Firm to provide a distinct and compelling value proposition.

The Opportunity During their time at the Firm, the Public Policy Assistant can expect to support the Government Advocacy & Contracting Group by conducting research, attending and preparing written summaries of congressional and executive branch agency hearings, drafting memoranda, and preparing white papers and presentations for client‑facing meetings. The role will also provide general administrative and project coordination support as needed. The Public Policy Assistant will participate in regular meetings with senior members of the firm to gain insights into their practice areas, professional backgrounds, and industry experience.

Strong analytical and critical‑thinking abilities, exceptional attention to detail, and superior writing skills are essential for success in this role. A practical understanding of executive and legislative branch processes will further enhance the assistant’s effectiveness and overall experience. This is a temporary, part time role geared toward current undergraduate students.

Responsibilities

• Conduct substantive issue research and monitor congressional and executive branch agency activity, including attending and compiling detailed notes for relevant hearings.
• Draft memoranda, white papers, and presentations for client‑facing meetings and internal briefings.
• Research, draft, and distribute comprehensive monthly reports detailing legislative, regulatory, and policy developments relevant to clients (Monthly and/or Weekly).
• Produce concise Week Ahead reports summarizing upcoming legislative hearings, meetings, and policy events, and prepare Week Recap documents highlighting significant activities and policy changes from the previous week (Weekly).
• Create and curate a weekly Federal Grants Newsletter identifying and summarizing relevant federal grant opportunities, application deadlines, and funding trends aligned with organizational goals (Weekly).
• Maintain and update an Appropriations/Earmarks Tracker to monitor the status, progress, and funding levels of key appropriations bills and budgetary items, with weekly updates during the appropriations request period.
• Document and summarize advocacy wins, legislative achievements, and successful engagements by the government affairs team for internal and external communications (Ongoing/Regular updates).
• Track scheduling and logistics for client fly‑ins, including drafting scheduling documents, briefing materials, and providing logistics support as needed.
• Draft and edit various materials, such as talking points, briefing memos, presentations, press releases, and correspondence for senior staff (As needed).

Qualifications

• Strong analytical and critical‑thinking abilities with exceptional attention to detail.
• Superior writing, editing and research skills.
• Practical understanding of executive and legislative branch processes.
• Ability to manage multiple tasks, meet deadlines, and adapt to changing priorities.
• Professional communication skills and the ability to collaborate effectively with team members at all levels.
• Strong Outlook, Excel and Word skills required.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Effective analytical, logical reasoning, and problem‑solving abilities.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Ability to work appropriately 20 hours per week.
• The hourly pay for this role will be $20.00 per hour.

EEO/AA

EMPLOYER/Veterans/Disabled Manatt is an equal opportunity employer, dedicated to a policy of non‑discrimination in employment on any basis including race, color, physical or mental disability, religion, creed, national origin, citizenship status, ancestry, sex or gender (including gender identity, gender expression, status as a transgender or transsexual individual, pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), age (over 40), genetic information, past, current, or prospective service in the uniformed services, sexual orientation, political activity or affiliation, genetic or and any other protected classes or characteristic protected under applicable federal, state, or local law. Consistent with the American Disabilities Act, applicants may request accommodations needed to participate in the application process. This employer will provide the Social Security Administration (SSA) and, if necessary, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), with information from each new employee’s Form I‑9 to confirm work authorization. IMPORTANT: If the Government cannot confirm that you are authorized to work, this employer is required to provide you written instructions and an opportunity to contact SSA and/or DHS before taking adverse action against you, including terminating your employment. Employers may not use E‑Verify to pre‑screen job applicants or to re‑verify current employees and may not limit or influence the choice of documents presented for use on the Form I‑9. In order to determine whether Form I‑9 documentation is valid, this employer uses E‑Verify’s photo screening tool to match the photograph appearing on some permanent resident and employment authorization cards with the official U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services’ (USCIS) photograph. If you believe that your employer has violated its responsibilities under this program or has discriminated against you during the verification process based upon your national origin or citizenship status, please call the Office of Special Counsel at 1-800-255-7688 (TDD: 1-800-237-2515).

Manatt, Phelps & Phillips, LLP, is a leading professional services firm, providing integrated legal and consulting services to a global client base. With offices strategically located in California (Los Angeles, Orange County, Palo Alto, San Francisco and Sacramento), New York (New York City and Albany), Chicago, Washington, D.C., and Boston, the firm represents sophisticated clients — including Fortune 500, middle‑market and emerging companies — across a range of industry sectors such as health care; financial services; entertainment; digital and technology; and energy, environmental and real estate. For more information, visit www.manatt.com.