Federal Relations Counsel

The American Association for Justice (AAJ®) is seeking a Federal Relations Counsel (non-entry level) for its Public Affairs department. AAJ works to preserve the constitutional right to trial by jury and to make sure people have a fair chance to seek justice when they are injured by the negligence or misconduct of others—even when it means taking on the most powerful corporations.

The Federal Relations Counsel is an advocate before Congress as well as the Executive Branch  for  maintaining  individual’s  access  to  the  courts.   This position  develops  and implements legislative and regulatory strategy related to civil justice.   Must be able to conduct the necessary research and writing to support assigned issue areas.

Essential Functions: Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Duties include:

•    Focus on the issues affecting individuals’ access to justice which includes:

o Develop and implement legislative and regulatory strategies independently.
o Maintain regular communication with the policy makers.
o Build coalitions with allied groups on shared policy goals.
o Advise and assist communications staff on press issues.
o Draft  advocacy  material,  such  as  one-pagers  and  fact  sheets,  and testimony to promote 
policy goals.
o Draft regulatory comments and letters in response to rulemakings.
o Conduct  the  necessary  research  to  support  the  writing  of  advocacy materials.

•    Heavy focus on research, policy writing and drafting all the following: legislative materials, advocacy  materials,  regulatory  comments,  policy/issue  white  papers and background memos.

•    Brief members of Congress and staff and prepare and provide information to Hill, particularly focusing on the needs of Committees of jurisdiction.

•    Analyze  and  assess  legislation  to  evaluate  civil  justice  implications  for  our members, including conducting legal research on legislative proposals.

•    Monitor the daily progress of legislation effecting access to the courts.

•    Assist regulatory counsel as needed on regulatory advocacy, including analyzing impact of proposed regulations on AAJ membership, drafting regulatory comments and letters, conducting legal 
research on proposed regulations.

•    Assist with other special projects as assigned.