The Attorney Advisor will provide legal analysis and consultation on issues related to constitutional law and related aspects of American public law. This is a non-litigating position emphasizing qualifications and interest in legal research and writing in a public service legislative context.
Advisor prepares objective, non-partisan analytical studies, including content for the Constitution Annotated, and descriptive and background memoranda and reports on legal issues of national significance relating to constitutional law and related aspects of American public law; provides personal consultation and assistance to congressional committees, Members, and staff on legal issues throughout the legislative process; and participates in or leads team research projects and seminars. The incumbent is expected to provide legal analysis and consultation to congressional committees, Members, and staff at a sophisticated level.
Candidates with research experience in and expansive and in-depth knowledge of legal issues regarding constitutional law and related aspects of American public law; who demonstrate strong research, writing, and oral communication skills; and who possess a portfolio of high quality legal analytical writing are encouraged to apply. Experience as a judicial clerk will be beneficial.
The position’s primary focus is constitutional law. However, given ALD’s relatively small staff and the breadth of issues ALD covers for Congress, candidates must also be capable of working on related aspects of American public law and have the intellectual curiosity to seek out and maintain a broad portfolio of legal issues. Thus, applicants should also have knowledge of statutory interpretation; regulatory and common law, and how law interplays with other disciplines.
Attorney Advisor duties include:
Prepares content for the Constitution Annotated and probing and innovative written legal analyses that relate complex variables of constitutional law and related aspects of American public law to the development, interpretation, or implementation of important public policies.
Provides congressional staff with consultations and oral briefings that clarify legal questions, identify and discuss legal options, and inform congressional staff of CRS informational and analytical capabilities within the scope of constitutional law and related aspects of American public law.
Prepares authoritative reports, comparisons of laws and bills, and other types of written responses for congressional committees, Members, and staff that are characterized by substantial breadth and depth.
Advises and assists other legislative attorneys, analysts, and specialists through provision of legal analysis and information in support of their service to Congress.
Participates in planning, organizing, and coordinating group research efforts.
Prepares and delivers oral presentations at CRS seminars and other outreach programs, sometimes in collaboration with professionals in non-legal disciplines.
CRS works exclusively for Congress, providing legal and policy analysis to committees and Members of the House and Senate, regardless of party affiliation. CRS has been a valued and respected resource for more than a century. Within CRS, ALD has the unique role and responsibility of providing authoritative, non-partisan, and objective legal analysis to Congress, Members of Congress and their staff consult with ALD attorneys on all facets of law, including administrative, business, civil rights, criminal, cybersecurity, energy, environmental, immigration, intellectual property, international, labor, military, national security, procurement, tax, and trade law. ALD attorneys advise Congress on its legislative and oversight powers under the Constitution, illuminate challenges to enacted legislation and potential problems with contemplated legislation, and examine constitutional and statutory issues, including the separation of powers, individual rights, federalism, and statutory interpretation.
The Congressional Research Service (CRS) is committed to building a diverse and inclusive workforce that ensures the Service is well positioned to anticipate and meet the information and analytical research needs of a 21st-century Congress.