LEGISLATIVE ATTORNEY II

Grade: SPC05

About the role

The Legislative Attorney II works under the direct supervision of the Administrative Rules Chief Legal Counsel. The legislative attorneys in the 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 role involves reviewing proposed state agency rules, conducting legal research, codifying administrative rules for the Code of Arkansas Rules, and staffing subcommittees of the Legislative Council.

The Bureau of Legislative Research (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 authoritative, confidential, objective, and nonpartisan analysis.

Responsibilities

• Be available to members of the General Assembly, state agency staff, and Bureau staff to provide answers to legal issues, 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; prepare legal summaries for legislative members.
• Prereview state agency rules for compliance with Code of Arkansas Rules style and review/proof 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, public feedback, and 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.
• Track Acts passed by the General Assembly that require rule promulgation by state agencies; 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 for the Claims Review/Litigation Reports Oversight Subcommittee; prepare legal summaries for legislative members.
• Staff the Claims Review/Litigation Reports Oversight Subcommittee as necessary.
• Prepare materials and conduct presentations on administrative rules and the legislative process.
• Occasional in-state and out-of-state travel to conferences and seminars.
• Perform other duties as requested by the Administrative Rules Chief Legal Counsel, Deputy Director for Legal Services, or 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 (Arkansas Code 25-15-201, et seq.), and the Freedom of Information Act (Arkansas Code 25-19-101, et seq.).
• Proficiency in English grammar, spelling, and punctuation.
• Knowledge of or ability to quickly develop knowledge of the legislative process and functions of state/federal agencies.
• Knowledge of or ability to quickly develop knowledge of laws, precedents, and procedures related to the General Assembly.
• Ability to conduct objective legal research and perform legal analysis.
• Proficiency or demonstrated ability to quickly develop proficiency in the Code of Arkansas Rules style manual.
• Ability to independently organize workload and set priorities.
• Strong communication skills with Bureau staff, state agency staff, members of the General Assembly, and the public.
• Valid Arkansas Driver’s License with fewer than 10 points on current traffic violation report under the Arkansas State Vehicle Safety Program.

Skills

• Strong research, writing, editing, and oral communication skills.
• Broad general knowledge of various legal issues.
• Portfolio of high-quality legal analytical writing.
• Intellectual curiosity to maintain a broad working knowledge of legal issues.
• Ability to work in multiple areas of the law, often at the forefront of legal developments.
• Time management skills, including meeting strict deadlines.
• Professional attitude and appearance.
• Ability to function independently and as part of a team.
• High standard of professional ethics and discretion with confidential matters.

Pay

Salary range: $71,027–$169,298 (grade range SPC03–SPC08).