Legislative Attorney

Duties and Responsibilities

• Compile data and conduct general and legal research for legislative committees and individual legislators and present alternative solutions for their consideration.
• Confer with and advise legislators on legislative legal questions.
• Draft and edit bills, resolutions, and amendments to implement legislators’ ideas.
• Staff standing committees of the South Dakota Legislature during legislative sessions, consult with committee chairs to develop agendas and obtain testimony, and prepare committee reports.
• Staff interim committees, consult with committee chairs to develop agendas, assist with meeting arrangements, prepare background materials, and prepare final reports.
• Review administrative rules for form, style, clarity, and compliance with statutory authority.
• Research and write issue memoranda and develop other resources on selected topics for review and use by the Legislature, Legislative Research Council staff, and the public.

Minimum Qualifications

• A Juris Doctorate from an ABA-accredited law school;
• An active license in good standing with the State Bar of South Dakota, or the ability to become eligible for and become admitted to the State Bar of South Dakota within one year after employment;
• The ability to remain objective and nonpartisan in relation to all legislative matters, maintain confidentiality, and handle politically sensitive work.

Preferred Qualifications

• Very strong writing skills;
• Strong research and analytical skills;
• A willingness to expand and develop expertise into various subject areas;
• The ability to communicate, both orally and in writing, in a manner that clearly and efficiently conveys information to legislators and the public;
• The ability to work under tight deadlines and extended hours during the legislative session.