Public Service and Leadership Development - January 16 application deadline!

 Arizona State University / USDA Leadership Fellowship

Public Service and Leadership Development Fellow

In furthering the public service legacy of Justice Sandra Day O’Connor, the Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law is seeking attorneys to further develop commitment to and skills for public service as Public Service and Leadership Development Fellows.  Fellows will engage in ongoing study on the value of public service through coursework, participation in leadership groups, mentorship, and outreach for a period of 90 days followed by a transition to the U.S. Department of Agriculture Office of the General Counsel for two years of legal work under an Intergovernmental Personnel Agreement. Pay includes salary and benefits as well as $5,000 per year in travel expenses. 

The Public Service and Leadership Development program will begin in early 2024 in Washington, D.C. in a one week launch event to begin collaboration and specific education on legal issues relevant to USDA including law and technology, artificial intelligence, Indian law, administrative law, agricultural competition and/or antitrust law and high-profile topics in agriculture and food law. 

Once transitioned to USDA Office of General Counsel, the fellow will provide professional legal services to major components of USDA and its agencies during a 24-month period, while furthering commitment and skills related to public service. The position enables USDA to leverage local and regional talent to provide legal services to support the mission and programs of USDA and provide legal services to improve the coordination and effectiveness of programs, services and actions affecting rural areas. The primary work location may be Washington D.C. or one of four Regional Offices (Atlanta, Georgia; Denver, Colorado, Kansas City, Missouri, and San Francisco, California); or 8 field office locations (Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Albuquerque, New Mexico, Missoula, Montana, Little Rock, Arkansas, Temple, Texas, Juneau, Alaska and Portland, Oregon).  

The Fellows will perform work at USDA OGC such as:

• Provide legal advice and counsel to agencies of the USDA.

• Serve as liaison between agencies of the USDA and the Department of Justice concerning USDA.

• Defend USDA agencies in litigation.

• Conduct legal research.

• Draft and review legal documents, including briefs, contracts, legal opinions, and agency documents.

• Customer service and communication to client Agencies and Mission Areas.

• Legal research and opinion-writing on novel and complex legal issues.

• Assist in other litigation responsibilities as requested.

• Further a commitment to public service.

For the detail at OGC, applicants must meet the minimum qualifications for attorney positions:

• Successful completion of a full course of study in a school of law accredited by the America Bar Association (ABA) and have the first professional law degree (J.D. or equivalent degree) (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.

Experience or interest in law and technology, artificial intelligence, Indian law, administrative law, agricultural competition and/or antitrust law or high-profile topics in agriculture and food law a plus. 

Please apply at:  https://Public Service and Leadership Development Fellow