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 incumbent 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.
Candidates with research experience in and broad general knowledge of
legal issues regarding constitutional law 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. Experience as a
judicial clerk will be beneficial.
The position’s primary focus
is the broad area of constitutional law. However, given ALD’s
relatively small staff and the breadth of issues ALD 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. Thus, applicants
should also have knowledge of administrative law and statutory
interpretation.
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 more than 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.
A full job description may be found here.