LEGISLATIVE ATTORNEY

Date: Jul 12, 2024

Req ID: 41580

Location:

Little Rock, AR, US, 72223

Category: BUREAU OF LEGISLATIVE RESEARCH

Anticipated Starting Salary: $56,039 - $124,190

POSITION: Legislative Attorney, Administrative Rules Review Section

GRADE: Position grade and salary will depend on experience. The grade range is GS10-GS13, and the salary range is $56,039-$124,190.

SUMMARY OF POSITION: The Legislative Attorney works under the direct supervision of the Administrator for the Administrative Rules Review Section. The legislative attorneys in the section provide services to members of the General Assembly with regard to the promulgation of state agency rules and the review of claims appealed to the Claims Review Subcommittee of the Legislative Council, conduct a thorough review of each proposed state agency rule and appealed claim filed with the Legislative Council, and work with members of the General Assembly in making public comments to the proposed rules and communicating with the state agencies regarding members’ concerns about the proposed rules, as well as staffing the Administrative Rules and Claims Review Subcommittees of the Legislative Council.

The Bureau of Legislative Research seeks a Legislative Attorney who will review administrative rules and conduct legal research for the Arkansas General Assembly. Candidates who demonstrate strong research, writing, and oral communication skills, have research experience in and broad general knowledge of various legal issues, and possess a portfolio of high-quality legal analytical writing are encouraged to apply. Regular contact with legislative members and agency personnel is required. Given that the Arkansas General Assembly often deals with issues that are at the forefront of the law, candidates must 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 working knowledge of legal issues.

Experience in administrative law is preferred but not required.

BLR works exclusively for the Arkansas General Assembly, providing various services, including rules review, bill drafting and legal analysis, to committees and members of both the House of Representatives and the Senate, regardless of political affiliation. BLR is known for analysis that is authoritative, confidential, objective, and nonpartisan. BLR seeks to ensure that the Arkansas General Assembly has immediate access to high-quality research, analysis, and writing on issues of interest to its members and committees.

Application Requirements: Applicants must submit a resume and cover letter in addition to an application. A background check is required.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Be available to members of the General Assembly, state agency staff, and Bureau staff to provide answers to legal issues that may arise and provide legal research and legal memoranda.

• Review state agency rules filed with the Legislative Council under Arkansas Code § 10-3-309 for content and compliance with legislative intent before the expiration of the rule’s public comment period.

• Attend public hearings concerning agency rules filed with the Legislative Council.

• Communicate with members of the General Assembly concerning proposed state agency rules and public feedback on those rules, as well as the rule’s compliance with state law.

• Provide legal staff support to the Administrative Rules and Claims Review Subcommittees of the Legislative Council.

• Attend other legislative subcommittee meetings to which state agency rules have been referred.

• Keep track of Acts passed by the General Assembly that require the promulgation of rules by state agencies.

• Develop and maintain expertise in assigned subject matter areas, including monitoring case law, trends in other jurisdictions, news items, and emerging developments.

• Review claims appealed to the Claims Review Subcommittee of the Legislative Council and prepare appropriate summaries.

• Staff the Claims Review Subcommittee as necessary.

  OTHER FUNCTIONS:

• Intake of administrative rules if the administrative assistant is unavailable.

• Prepare materials and conduct presentations concerning administrative rules and the legislative process in general.

• Occasional in-state and out-of-state travel to conferences and seminars.

• Perform other related duties as requested by the Administrator of the Administrative Rules Review Section, the Assistant Director for Legal Services, and the Director of the Bureau.

  QUALIFICATIONS/SKILLS:

• Doctor of Jurisprudence degree.

• License to practice law in Arkansas, maintained in good standing.

• Three (3) years of legal experience preferred.

• Knowledge of state and federal laws and constitutions, especially Arkansas Code § 10-3-309, the Arkansas Administrative Procedure Act at Arkansas Code § 25-15-201,et seq., and the Freedom of Information Act at Arkansas Code § 25-19-101,et seq.

• Knowledge of the legislative process and the functions of state and federal agencies.

• Knowledge of laws, precedents, and procedures related to the General Assembly.

• Ability to conduct objective legal research and perform legal analysis.

• Ability to organize workload and set priorities.

• Ability to communicate with Bureau Staff, state agency staff, members of the General Assembly, and members of the public.

• Valid Arkansas Driver’s License and less than 10 points on current traffic violation report under the Arkansas State Vehicle Safety Program.

  PRODUCTION STANDARDS:

• Accurately analyzes and provides legislative solutions to complex legal issues.

• Adept in communicating with Bureau staff, members of the General Assembly, state agency staff, and members of the public, both verbally and in writing.

• Demonstrates proficient time management skills, including the ability to complete work under strict time deadlines.

• Functions and cooperates as part of an administrative rule review team, including without limitation assisting with the workload of other section members when necessary.

• Maintains high standard of professional ethics and exercises appropriate discretion with confidential matters.

Position Information

Summary

Functions

Dimensions

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

Minimum Qualifications

Licenses

Nearest Major Market:Little Rock