10 years of experience with Congress or the Executive Branch on legislative or regulatory policy.
Broad understanding of legal issues affecting the legal profession.
Excellent oral and written communication skills.
Demonstrated analytical skills and sound judgment in managing people and budgets.
Responsibilities
Manage, mentor, and supervise GAO staff.
Conduct advocacy and education outreach to federal legislators and agency officials.
Oversee resource management, budgeting, and strategic planning for GAO.
Provide legislative and policy advice to ABA leadership and members.
Support ABA standing committees with strategic planning and operational management.
Speak publicly at ABA events and programs.
Act on behalf of the Director and Sr. Associate Executive Director when needed.
Benefits
Opportunity to influence legal policy at a national level.
Engagement with high-profile stakeholders in government and law.
Professional development through mentorship and training.
Access to a network of legal professionals and advocacy groups.
Flexible work environment with some travel opportunities.
Full Job Description
Job Summary/General Purpose of Job
Assists the Sr. Associate Executive Director in managing day-to-day operations of the ABA Governmental Affairs Office (GAO), including the federal lobbying staff, State Legislative Counsel, the Digital Advocacy and Grassroots team, writer, and the Information Services Unit. Monitors federal government activities and represents the ABA interests in Washington, DC. Devises strategies for implementing ABA policies through legislative and other governmental action. Consults with ABA officers and other leaders on Governmental Affairs programs and provides information about ABA advocacy efforts to other bars, related stakeholder organizations, and members of the legal profession.
Essential Job Functions and Responsibilities
Manages, mentors/supervises, and trains the GAO staff.
Manages written and in-person advocacy and education contacts with federal Members of Congress, agency officials, and their staffs on legislation, regulatory, and governmental policies.
Responsible for GAO resource management (people, time, and funds), budgeting, strategic planning, and publication efforts.
Serves as a subject matter expert providing legislative and policy advice and information to senior ABA officers and leaders, members, and entities on substantive areas of law or public policy of interest to the legal profession. Conducts research, hosts meetings, develops recommendations, drafts advocacy products, reviews/drafts media releases for ABA policy compliance and strategic messaging, and publishes regular advocacy updates and success stories. Help tell the ABA's advocacy story.
Provides strategic planning, management, and operational support to assigned ABA standing committees, including budget and workload allocations.
Speaks publicly or online at GAO-hosted and other ABA programs or events.
Acts on behalf of the Director, and in specific matters, the Sr. Associate Executive Director, when those positions are absent.
Performs other related duties as required.
Required Education, Qualifications, Experience
Requires a Doctoral Degree (JD, PhD).
10 years' experience working with Congress or the Executive Branch of government in the public or private sphere on legislative, regulatory, or governmental policy.
Requires a broad understanding of legal issues affecting the legal profession and the administration of justice; excellent oral and written communication skills; demonstrated analytical skills; and ability to exercise sound judgment while managing people, budgets, and workloads.
