Senior Legislative Counsel -- Human Rights Campaign

Senior Legislative Counsel Job Title: Senior Legislative Counsel Job Type: Full-Time Location: Washington, DC Post Date: 06/13/2013 To Apply: https://www4.recruitingcenter.net/Clients/hrc/PublicJobs/controller.cfm?jbaction=JobProfile&Job_Id=10091&esid=az Job Description: The Senior Legislative Counsel assists the Legal Director and, as needed, the General Counsel in providing responsive, comprehensive and high quality legal services to all programs, activities and operations of the Human Rights Campaign and its educational affiliate HRC Foundation (jointly “HRC”). The Senior Legislative Counsel’s principal client area is the Federal Legislative team. Additionally, the Senior Legislative Counsel will provide advice and counsel, research and writing as necessary to provide legal resources to HRC’s other departments. Some travel will be required to provide legal perspectives at town halls, conferences, coalition meetings and other venues as needed. Position Responsibilities:Following is a detailed review of the Senior Legislative Counsel’s primary areas of responsibility. Federal Legislative Law and Policy • Along with Legal Director and other legal staff, serves as federal legislative lawyer to the Federal Legislative program; providing research on selected issues, drafting proposed legislation and regulations as well as comments to proposed regulations, drafting supportive materials for lobbying efforts including fact sheets and talking points, drafting letters to relevant House and Senate committees, Members of Congress, and Senators, drafting testimony and proposed questions for hearings, attending hearings as necessary, conducting lobby visits with political staff, updating and improving website content, attending relevant coalition meetings, and others duties related to HRC’s federal legislative efforts as assigned. • Serves as the point of contact for the HRC Communications Department on selected issues; assisting in drafting press releases in connection with bills, hearings and votes as well as other communications upon request, and speaking to media regarding selected issues as requested. Foundation Programs • As needed, provides research, analysis, drafting and policy advocacy for Foundation programs, including the Family and Workplace Projects, and for Foundation publications. Law Fellows Program • Assists in the administration of the McCleary Law Fellows Program, including in the application, interview and acceptance processes as well as the day-to-day supervision and management of the fellows. General Counsel • As needed, assists the General Counsel in providing responsive, comprehensive and high quality legal services to all programs, activities and operations of the Human Rights Campaign, its affiliated PAC, and the Human Rights Campaign Foundation. Qualifications Required: Candidates for the Senior Legislative Counsel position must be licensed to practice law in the District of Columbia (or in the process of obtaining such a license) and have at least four years relevant practice experience. Experience in developing public policy is required. Work on Capitol Hill and/or on civil rights issues from a legislative perspective is strongly preferred. Candidates must be highly organized, detail-oriented, and able to handle multiple projects simultaneously in a fast-paced environment. Candidates must also have excellent speaking and writing skills, computer and Internet proficiency, and strong verbal communication skills. Candidates must be able to travel occasionally. A background or experience in lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender rights is preferred; the successful candidate will have a demonstrated commitment to HRC and to advancing HRC’s goals and objectives.