Attorney, Director I (Legislative Counsel Lifestyle Medicine) - (Hybrid)

American Medical Association

25d•$153,355 - $207,144•Hybrid

About The Position

The American Medical Association (AMA) is a nonprofit professional association representing physicians. The Attorney, Director I (Legislative Counsel Lifestyle Medicine) provides legal counsel and support on legislative, regulatory, and advocacy matters affecting the AMA, with an emphasis on FDA, drugs, lifestyle medicine, and other issues of interest to the organization. Under the supervision of the Director, the position analyzes and interprets complex legislation, regulations, and judicial opinions to inform AMA Advocacy staff, senior management, the Council on Legislation, the Board of Trustees, the AMA House of Delegates, and other constituencies. The role prepares AMA testimony, briefs witnesses, drafts strategic advocacy materials, and independently leads an assigned portfolio of significant legislative and regulatory issues. It serves as a strategic legal advisor, develops recommended policy and advocacy approaches, and coordinates work across Advocacy and other business units as issues evolve. The position is hybrid, based at the AMA’s Washington, D.C. office, and requires three days per week in the office. Some travel is required.

Requirements

J.D. degree.
Active membership in good standing in at least one state Bar.
At least 10 years of professional experience and at least 3 years of health law experience.
Subject matter expertise in the U.S. Congressional, legislative, and/or federal regulatory process.
Demonstrated strategic judgment and ability to independently lead complex, cross-functional advocacy initiatives.
Proven experience with physician-related issues across health law subjects such as FDA, lifestyle medicine, and drugs.
Excellent analytical and critical-thinking skills.
Strong verbal communication and presentation skills.
Strong writing and editing skills, including the ability to produce polished and persuasive advocacy documents on short deadlines.
Strong project leadership and organizational skills to prioritize complex work and coordinate cross-functional activity.
Interpersonal skills, including persuasiveness and relationship building.
Political acumen.
Willingness to travel as required.

Nice To Haves

Previous legislative, federal agency, or association experience.
Extensive knowledge of the AMA’s and Federation’s organizational structure and policy development processes.

Responsibilities

Provide legal, legislative, and regulatory advice to Advocacy units and other AMA business units on complex issues, with a focus on FDA and lifestyle medicine.
Identify and analyze emerging federal legislation and regulation, assess implications for AMA priorities, and recommend policy and advocacy approaches.
Identify AMA positions or the need for new positions and prepare or coordinate formal AMA responses to proposed regulations.
Represent the AMA to external groups and participate in coalition meetings to advance the organization’s policy goals.
Prepare advocacy documents, draft comment letters, and strategic communications for Congressional, Administrative, and grassroots operations.
Respond to oral and written inquiries from Congress, the Administration, other organizations, member physicians, and other parties regarding AMA policy.
Develop arguments and talking points for lobbying and grassroots communications and contribute to direct issue lobbying as appropriate.
Brief national medical specialty societies, state medical societies, and AMA Sections or their representatives.
Prepare AMA written testimony and oral statements for Board of Trustees members to present before Congress, federal agencies, and boards.
Prepare and brief AMA witnesses for public appearances, including developing responses to anticipated questions.
Lead an assigned issue portfolio, set its analytical framework and recommended approach, coordinate cross-functional work, and drive execution as issues evolve.
Serve as a subject matter expert across business units and guide or mentor junior attorneys as needed.
Advise Council members on legislative and political aspects of key issues and keep them informed about significant legislative and regulatory developments.
Assist the Reference Committee B Secretary at the AMA Annual or Interim meeting as assigned.
Develop and deliver presentations to specialty and state societies or other organizations on relevant legislative and regulatory issues.
Prepare and present written and oral briefings, develop proposed policy and advocacy approaches when existing AMA policy does not address an emerging issue, and make recommendations to the Council on Legislation.