Commission on Immigration - Staff Attorney 2/Chief Counsel

The American Bar Association (ABA) was founded on a commitment to advance the rule of law in the United States and beyond by providing practical resources for legal professionals, conducting law school accreditation, developing model ethics codes and more. Today, the ABA remains a member-based organization that works to ensure access to justice for all, a fair legal process, and respect for the rule of law at home and across the globe.

The ABA is committed to service and refining the standards that guide the legal profession. ABA staff are provided multiple types of continuing education and career development opportunities. Your work will help eliminate bias, enhance diversity, and advance the rule of law throughout the US and around the world.

The ABA recognizes the value staff contribute to our success through a generous benefits package that protects their health and their financial security.  The ABA’s wide array of benefit offerings include 401(k), medical, dental, vision, flexible spending accounts, health spending accounts, supplemental life and disability insurance, prepaid legal programs, and a complimentary membership to the American Bar Association, which offers additional benefits.

Flexible/hybrid work arrangements may be available for residents of CA, DC, IL, IN, MD, MI, MN, TX, VA, and WI.  Residency requirements may apply. ABA employees are eligible to apply for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program (PSLF). 
 

Job Summary/General Purpose of Job

Does substantive legal work and may manage a grant funded project or provide substantive support to an ABA entity. May manage that entity. May be supervised by another attorney and frequently supervises more junior attorneys and/or other staff. Includes legal research, writing, speaking, provision of technical assistance, and may include grant development and/or fundraising.

Essential Job Functions and Responsibilities (listed in order of importance and/or time spent)

• Conduct research and write speeches, memoranda, articles, frequently for publication. 
• Provide substantive advice, information and make policy recommendations. Serve as principal ABA expert on a substantive area of law or public policy. Includes contacts with government entities and with the media. 
• Give presentations and/or teach on legal and public policy issues. Act as a consultant designing substantive content of events, developing model documents, and conducting trainings. 
• Manage substantive/legal project aspects. Oversee research, report-writing, and publication. Coordinate or support member sub-groups and coordinate with external constituencies. Manage consultants, interns/externs. 
• Analyze laws, regulations, court rules and policies/policy proposals; prepare memoranda of law or on public policy; provide legal counsel.
• Research, draft, write, review and critique legislative/rule/policy or regulatory text. Manage policy adoption process. 
• Secure outside funding; write grants; deal with grantmakers. 
• Performs other related duties as required. 

Required Education, Qualifications, Experience

• Requires JD and active bar admission in at least one jurisdiction. 
• At least 4 years working in relevant specialized area of law.  
• High level of skills at legal writing and research, oral and written communications, and organizational skill. 
• Substantial experience in policy analysis.  

Physical Requirements 
Typical office work environment.  
  
Extent of Travel Required in the Job 
Ability to travel required.