What are the responsibilities and job description for the General Counsel position at Texas Senate?
Performs advanced and complex professional legal work in the Texas Senate. Work involves giving legal advice, preparing opinions, bill analyses and briefs, and drafting bills and amendments for legislative consideration. Works under supervision of the Chief of Staff with latitude for exercise of independent judgment and will regularly interface with and receive direction directly from the Senator. Serves as both a member of the Policy Team and an individual legal team.
Legal Counsel:
● Advise and counsel the Senator on any legal or law related matters and bills.
● Provide the Policy Team with legal analysis of legislation in all policy areas as needed.
● Advise and counsel Chief of Staff on personnel management.
● Manage Texas Public Information Act (PIA) requests in coordination with Chief of Staff and Deputy Chief of Staff.
● Monitor any legal cases in which the Senator is named.
● Submit PIA and Legislative Information requests on behalf of the office under direction of the Chief of Staff.
● Does not serve as the personal counsel for staff.
● Will respond to constituent inquiries but does not/will not serve as direct counsel for constituents.
Legislative:
● In coordination with the Policy Team:
o Prepare legislative briefings, bill analyses, talking points, and vote recommendations
o Maintain legislative deadline calendars
o File and track bills, including relevant information on the office bill tracking chart
o Assist in preparing the physical and virtual Bill Book for the Senator to use on the Floor during Session.
● Conduct thorough legal and policy research.
● Attend meetings with groups/individuals as assigned by the Senator and/or Chief of Staff.
● Monitor assigned committees.
● Research and consult stakeholders on interim charges.
● Other duties as assigned by the Senator or Chief of Staff.
Qualifications:
Candidates should have experience reviewing legislation with a preference for candidates that have experience drafting legislative language. Demonstrated experience doing legal research. Candidates should possess a Juris Doctor (JD) degree and be admitted to the Texas Bar. The Senator has a strong preference for experience in criminal justice policy, family and guardianship policy (e.g. CPS, mental health detention) and access to civil justice.
Salary: $70,000 to $100,000 depending on experience.
Interested candidates should send resume, cover letter, legal writing sample, salary history, and two references to Peter Einhorn, Chief of Staff at peter.einhorn@senate.texas.gov
Salary : $70,000 - $100,000