2014 Food Law and Policy Career Guide

The Harvard Food Law and Policy Clinic and the Harvard Food Law Society are pleased to announce the publication of the 2014 Food Law and Policy Career Guide.

The area of food law and policy continues to grow rapidly, with more employment opportunities for lawyers being created each year. This third edition of the Food Law and Policy Career Guide includes new information on opportunities at universities, government agencies, non-governmental organizations, law firms, consulting firms, as well as a list of food listservs that educate, promote discussion, and provide information on job opportunities in the field.

Attorney, Farm Credit Council, Normal, IL Central office

Job Description:

This position reduces legal and compliance risk by providing legal counsel to the Executive Leadership Team and association staff.

Loan Transactions

•Facilitates loan transactions by responding to novel credit concerns, transaction structures, or other circumstances

•Decides, after balancing legal risk, whether or not to close a loan transaction

•Drafts, reviews, and negotiates loan documents and other contracts with the advice of the Compliance Officer

•Determines loan eligibility by deciding whether or not a transaction is within the association’s legal authority

Legal Matters

•Advises the Executive Leadership Team, the Board of Directors, and association staff on legal, compliance, and litigation matters

•Identifies legal changes affecting the association’s business or operations

•Responds to legal changes by drafting new policies and procedures

•Responds to routine litigation matters, subpoena requests, or other legal proceedings

•Interprets association policies and procedures

•Writes legal opinions

Real Estate Assets

•Manages the purchase, sale, and lease of the association’s real estate assets

•Determines the terms of the purchase or sale and title insurance policies

•Negotiates and drafts the necessary closing documents

Job Requirements: 
Minimum Qualifications

•Juris Doctor

•3 years related experience

•Or an equivalent combination of education and experience sufficient to perform the essential functions of the job 

Required Knowledge and Skills •Skill in using Microsoft technologies including e‐mail, word and spreadsheet processing

•Expertise in the areas of lending law, real estate law, and the Uniform Commercial Code

•Skill in lending market practices

•Skill in litigation response and management and contract drafting

•Oral and written communication skills, sufficient to discuss a variety of job-related topics, and to effectively communicate complex topics to a variety of audiences

View the full job description here.

USDA Office of General Counsel - Attorney Advisor - Little Rock, Arkansas

Job Title:ATTORNEY ADVISOR (GENERAL)

Department:Department Of Agriculture

Agency:Office of the General Counsel

Job Announcement Number:AG-OGC-2014-0226-DE

SALARY RANGE:	$57,982.00 to $75,376.00 / Per Year
OPEN PERIOD:	Wednesday, July 16, 2014 to Wednesday, August 6, 2014
SERIES & GRADE:	GS-0905-11
POSITION INFORMATION:	Full-Time - Permanent
PROMOTION POTENTIAL: 14
DUTY LOCATIONS:	1 vacancy - Little Rock, AR View Map
WHO MAY APPLY:	US Citizens and Nationals; no prior Federal experience is required.
SECURITY CLEARANCE:	Q - Nonsensitive
SUPERVISORY STATUS:	No

JOB SUMMARY:

USDA provides leadership on food, agriculture, natural resources, rural development, nutrition, and related issues based on sound public policy, the best available science, and efficient management.  Our vision is to expand economic opportunity through innovation, helping rural America to thrive; to promote agriculture production sustainability that better nourishes Americans while also helping feed others throughout the world; and to preserve and conserve our Nation's natural resources through restored forests, improved watersheds, and healthy private working lands.

The Office of the General Counsel provides legal advice and services to all agencies of the United States Department of Agriculture in administering USDA programs and activities within the defined geographic area.

This position is located in the Office of the General Counsel, Kansas City, Missouri Central Region, Little Rock, Arkansas Branch Office.

For more information and to apply -  

https://www.usajobs.gov/GetJob/ViewDetails/375580600 

Legislative Attorney at CRS in Washington, D.C. - Environmental Law

Job Title:Legislative Attorney

Department:Legislative Branch

Agency:Library of Congress

Job Announcement Number:140195

SALARY RANGE:	$89,924.00 to $116,901.00 / Per Year
OPEN PERIOD:	Tuesday, July 15, 2014 to Tuesday, August 12, 2014
SERIES & GRADE:	GS-0905-13
POSITION INFORMATION:	Open - Permanent
PROMOTION POTENTIAL: 15
DUTY LOCATIONS:	1 vacancy in the following location: Washington DC, DC View Map
WHO MAY APPLY:	U.S. citizens
SECURITY CLEARANCE:	Other
SUPERVISORY STATUS:	No

JOB SUMMARY:

About the Agency

The Congressional Research Service (CRS), American Law Division, is seeking a Legislative Attorney to provide analysis of legal questions that emerge from the work of Congress related to environmental law in particular and American public law generally. This is a non-litigating position that emphasizes qualifications and interest in legal research and writing in a public service legislative context. Candidates with research experience in and a broad general knowledge of legal issues regarding the environment in particular and American public law in general, who demonstrate strong research, writing, and oral communication skills, and who possess a portfolio of high quality legal analytical writing are encouraged to apply.

The primary focus of this position is the broad area of environmental law. However, given the relatively small staff of the American Law Division and the breadth of issues the Division covers for Congress, candidates must also be capable of working in a number of different areas of the law and have the intellectual curiosity to seek out and maintain a broad portfolio of legal issues. In addition to experience with environmental law, applicants should have knowledge of administrative law, constitutional law, and budget and appropriations.

The Legislative Attorney prepares objective, non-partisan analytical studies and descriptive and background memoranda and reports on legal issues of national significance; provides personal consultation and assistance to congressional committees, Members, and staff on legal issues throughout the legislative process; and participates in or leads team research projects and seminars. The Legislative Attorney is expected to develop over time the skills necessary to provide legal analysis and consultation to congressional committees, Members, and staff at increasingly sophisticated levels.

CRS works exclusively for the United States Congress, providing policy and legal analysis to committees and Members of both the House and Senate, regardless of party affiliation. As a legislative branch agency within the Library of Congress, CRS has been a valued and respected resource on Capitol Hill for nearly a century.

CRS is well known for analysis that is authoritative, confidential, objective, and nonpartisan. Its highest priority is to ensure that Congress has immediate access to the nation's best thinking on legal and public policy issues of interest to its Members and Committees.

FOR MORE INFORMATION AND TO APPLY -  https://www.usajobs.gov/GetJob/ViewDetails/375524300

USDA Office of General Counsel - Juneau, Alaska

Job Title:General Attorney

Department:Department Of Agriculture

Agency:Office of the General Counsel

Job Announcement Number:AG-OGC-2014-0224

SALARY RANGE:	$63,330.00 to $82,329.00 / Per Year
OPEN PERIOD:	Friday, July 11, 2014 to Friday, August 1, 2014
SERIES & GRADE:	GS-0905-11
POSITION INFORMATION:	Full-Time - Permanent
PROMOTION POTENTIAL: 14
DUTY LOCATIONS:	1 vacancy - Juneau, AK View Map
WHO MAY APPLY:	US Citizens and Nationals; no prior Federal experience is required.
SECURITY CLEARANCE:	Other
SUPERVISORY STATUS:	No

JOB SUMMARY:

USDA provides leadership on food, agriculture, natural resources, rural development, nutrition, and related issues based on sound public policy, the best available science, and efficient management.  Our vision is to expand economic opportunity through innovation, helping rural America to thrive; to promote agriculture production sustainability that better nourishes Americans while also helping feed others throughout the world; and to preserve and conserve our Nation's natural resources through restored forests, improved watersheds, and healthy private working lands.

Attorneys assigned to field offices in the Office of the General Counsel (offices physically located outside the Washington, D.C., Headquarters) provide legal advice and services to all agencies of the United States Department of Agriculture in administering USDA programs and activities within the defined geographic area. The incumbent serves as an attorney providing legal advice, research, analysis and interpretation of federal, state and local laws, as well as oral and written opinions, memoranda, pleadings, briefs and legal support of all USDA programs and litigation, and performs other legal services as assigned.

TRAVEL REQUIRED

• Occasional Travel
• as needed

RELOCATION AUTHORIZED

• No

KEY REQUIREMENTS

• US Citizenship is required.
• Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959.

---

DUTIES:

Back to top

As a General Attorney, you will be responsible for the following:

• Prepares pleadings, motions, briefs, litigation reports, and related documents in connection with suits by and against the government.
• Determines nature of legal issues involved
• Effectively represents Department and agency clients.
• Provides timely and relevant legal advice regarding program operations to management officials and to expertly represent clients in negotiations and legal proceedings.
• Identifies, analyzes, and evaluates issues of fact and law associated with clients' programs and initiatives.
• Speaks and writes with clarity and tact to provide guidance on complex legal issues, secures acceptance of recommendations, prepares complex legal opinions, and effectively represents the Department in a variety of interactions.

---

QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED:

Back to top

For consideration, applicants must meet the minimum qualifications for attorney positions:

• Successful completion a full course of study in a school of law accredited by the America Bar Association (ABA) and have the first professional law degree (LLB or JD) (Law School transcript required)

and

•Currently be a member in good standing of the bar of a state, territory of the United States, District of Columbia, or Commonwealth of Puerto Rico.

For full details and to apply click here.

Office of Tribal Justice, Attorney Advisor

Attorney Advisor 

 

Office of Tribal Justice (OTJ)

Announcement #: OTL-ATY-0114

Application Deadline: August 1, 2014

Posted: 07/09/2014 03:04 PM EDT 

 

OTJ is seeking an experienced attorney to serve as Attorney Advisor to provide counsel and assistance to the Director and senior staff. OTJ attorneys: 

  

• Provide advice on significant tribal justice matters and assist in policy and legislative development and review.
• Provide advice to OTJ leadership on Department components litigating, protecting or otherwise addressing Native American rights and/or related issues.
• Review proposed legal actions submitted by divisions that require OTJ approval or coordination.
• Perform legal research on assigned questions or law or policy and prepare reports and memoranda.
• Assist in coordinating with attorneys and officials of the Department, other government agencies, and interested parties to provide guidance and advice to ensure compliance with statutory, regulatory and policy requirements.
• Assist in maintaining liaison with federally recognized tribes, and work with the appropriate federal, tribal, state, and local officials, professional associations, and public interest groups.
• Develop, coordinate and execute special projects as assigned by the Director or the Deputy Directors.

 

View the full posting here.