State Policy & Legislation Counsel (Hybrid/Remote)

American Association for Justice; Washington (District of Columbia); Hybrid; USD 70,000 - 85,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

401K with employer match

Paid leave and holidays

Transit benefits

Professional development

Job summary

The American Association for Justice (AAJ) seeks a State Affairs Counsel to analyze state legislation, draft advocacy materials, and coordinate with coalitions across all fifty states and DC. The role requires JD admission and a commitment to civil justice issues.

You will monitor proposals, draft model legislation, and help shape AAJ’s state and federal advocacy efforts while supporting communications and strategy initiatives. Hybrid work with some remote flexibility in DC.

Qualifications

• J.D. degree and bar admission in good standing with at least one state bar or U.S. territory.
• Minimum of 1 year experience in legal research and analysis; legislative drafting, and bill tracking.
• Familiarity with state and Congressional legislative and regulatory processes and a commitment to civil justice issues.
• Excellent writing, communication, and analysis skills, plus the ability to work independently and in teams.
• Ability to work with AAJ members, AAJ leadership and state associations.
• A clear understanding of AAJ issues and the ability to advocate for them to others.

Responsibilities

• Analyze and assess state legislation for state trial lawyers’ associations (TLAs) and AAJ’s members.
• Monitor the daily progress of state legislative proposals for the department, including providing a regular summation of state legislative proposals that would impact the civil justice system and tracking relevant bills in all fifty states, the District of Columbia and all U.S. territories.
• Draft advocacy material, such as one-pagers, fact sheets, and talking points in response to state legislative activities and to promote AAJ’s and the state TLAs’ policy goals.
• Draft model legislation and sample amendments.
• Work with allied groups on joint legislative goals, including representing AAJ’s interests and working with coalitions and building a broader group of allies.
• Communicate with members, staff, and leadership, on policy positions, progress of proposals, and AAJ/TLA advocacy activity.
• Assist Director in advising Communications staff on state messaging and state press regarding state legislative proposals.
• Assist Director in developing strategy for specific initiatives or policy campaigns as needed.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Skills

Legal research

Legislative drafting

Policy analysis

Written communication

Oral communication

Bill tracking

Team collaboration

Education

J.D. degree

Job description

The American Association for Justice (AAJ) seeks a State Affairs Counsel to analyze state legislation, draft advocacy materials, and coordinate with coalitions across all fifty states and DC. The role requires JD admission and a commitment to civil justice issues.

You will monitor proposals, draft model legislation, and help shape AAJ’s state and federal advocacy efforts while supporting communications and strategy initiatives. Hybrid work with some remote flexibility in DC.