LEGISLATIVE ATTORNEY II

Location: Little Rock, AR 72201

Anticipated starting salary: $71,027 - $169,298

About the role

The Legislative Attorney II works under the direct supervision of the Administrative Rules Chief Legal Counsel. The legislative attorneys in the Administrative Rules Review Section provide services to members of the General Assembly with regard to the legislative review of state agency rules, litigation reports provided to the Legislative Council, and claims appealed to the Claims Review/Litigation Reports Oversight Subcommittee of the Legislative Council.

The Bureau of Legislative Research (BLR) seeks a Legislative Attorney II who will review administrative rules, conduct legal research for the Arkansas General Assembly, and codify administrative rules for inclusion in the Code of Arkansas Rules. BLR works exclusively for the Arkansas General Assembly, providing bill drafting, legal analysis, and other services 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.

Responsibilities

• 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 statutory authority before the expiration of the rule’s public comment period and prepare legal summaries for legislative members.
• Prereview state agency rules for compliance with Code of Arkansas Rules style and review and proof state agency rules for codification following Legislative Council approval and agency finalization.
• Attend public hearings concerning state 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/Litigation Reports Oversight Subcommittees of the Legislative Council.
• Attend other legislative committee meetings to which state agency rules have been referred or statutorily assigned.
• Keep track of Acts passed by the General Assembly that require the promulgation of rules by state agencies and assist in preparing a report of those Acts for legislative members.
• Develop and maintain expertise in assigned subject matter areas, including monitoring case law, trends in other jurisdictions, news items, and emerging developments.
• Review appealed claims, awarded claims, and litigation reports to be considered by the Claims Review/Litigation Reports Oversight Subcommittee of the Legislative Council and prepare legal summaries for legislative members.
• Staff the Claims Review/Litigation Reports Oversight Subcommittee as necessary.
• 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 duties as requested by the Administrative Rules Chief Legal Counsel, the Deputy Director for Legal Services, and the Director of the Bureau.

Requirements

• Doctor of Jurisprudence degree.
• License to practice law in Arkansas, maintained in good standing.
• At least two (2) years as a Legislative Attorney I or other relevant experience as determined by the Director of the Bureau and the Deputy Director for Legal Services.
• 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 and proficiency in English grammar, spelling, and punctuation.
• Knowledge of or the ability to expeditiously develop knowledge of the legislative process and the functions of state and federal agencies.
• Knowledge of or the ability to expeditiously develop knowledge of laws, precedents, and procedures related to the General Assembly.
• Ability to proficiently conduct objective legal research and perform legal analysis.
• Proficiency in or writing experience that demonstrates the ability to quickly develop proficiency in the Code of Arkansas Rules style manual.
• Ability to independently organize workload and set priorities.
• Ability to communicate appropriately 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.

Skills

• Strong research, writing, editing, and oral communication skills.
• Research experience in and broad general knowledge of various legal issues.
• Portfolio of high-quality legal analytical writing.
• Intellectual curiosity to seek out and maintain a broad working knowledge of legal issues.
• Experience in administrative law is preferred but not required.

Pay

$71,027 - $169,298