Duties

A Staff Attorney in the Office of the Legislative Counsel of the United States Senate (SOLC) works as part of a team of 5 to 7 other attorneys who specialize in various areas of Federal law, with assistance and mentoring provided by a more senior attorney.
The position of Staff Attorney is full-time, with substantial evening and weekend overtime occasionally required to serve the needs of the Senate. The responsibilities of an SOLC Staff Attorney include:
1. Drafting and editing bills, resolutions, conference reports, and amendments for committees, Members, and staff of the Senate.
2. Analyzing proposed legislation for legal sufficiency and constitutionality.
3. Researching the law and its development in relation to a proposal being analyzed or drafted.
4. Working closely with SOLC attorneys and Senate staff to analyze proposed policy and its implications and produce professional-quality legislation.
A Staff Attorney receives a starting salary of $87,198, with competitive increases in salary similar to those provided under the Attorney General's Honors Program. The SOLC is committed to furthering the professional development of its employees throughout their careers with the Office and to providing a positive work-life balance. To the extent funding and the needs of the Senate allow, the SOLC currently offers its employees the following:
1. Participation in the Senate Federal student loan tuition repayment benefit program. SOLC employment qualifies for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program offered by the Department of Education.
2. Options for occasional telework and flextime (subject to current Office policies) and parking or public transit subsidies.
3. An annual allotment of paid leave (including annual leave, health leave, and Federal holidays) and a paid gender-neutral family and medical leave program.
4. Retirement and insurance programs, including Federal Employees Retirement System coverage, matching funds for contributions under the Thrift Savings Plan, and group life and long-term care insurance coverage.
5. Additional benefits for employees and their families, including coverage under the Federal Employees Health Benefits program, access to dental and vision plans, health care and dependent care flexible spending accounts, an onsite fitness facility for employees (subject to membership fees), and priority access for admission to the Senate Employees Child Care Center.

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

• See "Qualifications".

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:

Pursuant to Federal law, an individual may not be hired for a paid Senate position in the continental United States unless the individual-
(1) is a United States citizen;
(2) is lawfully admitted for permanent residence and is seeking citizenship as outlined in section 274B(a)(3)(B) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3)(B));
(3) is-
(A) admitted as a refugee under section 207 of that Act (8 U.S.C. 1157) or is granted asylum under section 208 of that Act (8 U.S.C. 1158); and
(B) has filed a declaration of intention to become a lawful permanent resident and then a citizen when eligible; or
(4) owes allegiance to the United States. (Note: To meet this requirement, an individual must be (1) a noncitizen United States national born in or having ties to American Samoa or Swains Island (as outlined in section 308 of that Act (8 U.S.C. 1408)), or (2) a noncitizen United States national pursuant to section 302 of the Joint Resolution entitled Joint Resolution to approve the Covenant To Establish a Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands in Political Union with the United States of America, and for other purposes, approved March 24, 1976 (Public Law 94-241; 90 Stat. 263).

Qualifications

A Staff Attorney applicant must satisfy the following minimum requirements:
1. A record of academic excellence, evidenced by ranking in the top one-third of the applicant's law school class.
2. An ability to write clearly and concisely.
3. No substantial participation with any political party or cause.
4. A commitment to public service.

TECHNICAL QUALIFICATIONS:

See "Qualifications".

Education

EDUCATION:

A Staff Attorney must be enrolled in, or a graduate of, a law school accredited by the American Bar Association. Before joining the Office, an applicant must be a graduate of an accredited law school. Not later than 1 year after joining the Office, a Staff Attorney must be a member in good standing of a State bar.

Additional information

You must submit all documents and required information by the closing date. Incomplete applications will not receive further evaluation.