Legislative Counsel Fellow

North Carolina General Assembly • Raleigh, NC

12d • Hybrid

About The Position

Do you enjoy problem-solving and deep engagement with law and policy? Do you want to work in a collegial environment that provides opportunities to contribute to the legislative process? If so, apply to join our dynamic team in the Legislative Analysis Division (LAD) of the North Carolina General Assembly. We are looking for a new or recent graduate to serve as a Legislative Counsel Fellow. As a Fellow, you will participate in LAD's operations and work with our Staff Attorneys. The Fellow is appointed for a one-year term with the possibility of permanent employment as an LAD Staff Attorney, subject to position availability, budgetary constraints, and demonstrated performance. The anticipated start date for the fellowship is early September, following successful passage of the Bar examination, but earlier start dates will be considered for those with a current NC Bar license.

Requirements

• Ability to work cooperatively and maintain composure under pressure.
• Clear and concise oral and written presentation skills, both in planned presentations and when communicating extemporaneously.
• Strong analytical skills and an aptitude for providing high-quality legal policy analysis and advice.
• Commitment to delivering nonpartisan, objective legal analysis.
• Creative problem-solving in achieving legal and policy objectives.
• Desire to continually learn and curiosity about how things work.
• Success working independently and in a team environment.
• Strong interpersonal and time-management skills.
• Willingness to accept feedback from staff attorneys and to provide feedback on work product of others as requested.
• Attention to detail in both work product and legislative process requirements.
• Flexibility and adaptability to meet the changing workplace needs throughout the legislative cycle.
• Ability and willingness to work extended hours during legislative sessions.
• Preference for those with two or fewer years of legal experience, including individuals anticipating graduation from law school in 2026.
• An active license to practice law in North Carolina; offers of employment extended to applicants who do not have an active license to practice law in North Carolina are conditional on passage of the Bar examination.
• A demonstrated interest in nonpartisan State service.
• A demonstrated interest in one or more of the following areas: State and local government finance and revenues, including income, sales, and property taxes. Banking and digital currency regulation. Regulatory law related to utilities, agriculture, aquaculture, wildlife, and the environment. Purchase and contract regulation. Building and fire code regulation. Transportation.

Responsibilities

• Meeting with legislators, political staff, legislative liaisons, and lobbyists to understand legislative intent.
• Identifying legal, constitutional, implementation, and drafting issues in legislation and sharing that information with legislators.
• Drafting and revising legislation in conformity with drafting conventions and reflective of legislative intent.
• Advising committee chairs regarding the operation of committees and parliamentary procedures and assisting with the planning of committee meetings.
• Providing written analyses of legislation.
• Answering questions from committee members.
• Providing counsel and coordinating interim study committees.
• Making presentations to committees on legal and policy issues when requested.
• Providing legislators and their staff with research and assistance with constituent requests.
• Maintaining legislative confidentiality.

Benefits

• Competitive State salaries with opportunities for incremental promotions and raises.
• Participation in health insurance options, a defined benefit retirement plan and supplemental retirement plans, and the NCFlex program (numerous high-quality, low-cost benefits on a pre-tax basis).
• Paid vacation, sick, parental, and community service leave.
• Remote work opportunities during some portions of the legislative cycle following an initial training period.
• Compensatory time policy for working extended hours during legislative sessions.
• Reimbursement for professional licenses necessary for employment at the General Assembly.
• Professional development opportunities with organizations such as the National Conference of State Legislatures and the UNC School of Government, and a structured training program for new staff.
• A collegial work environment with outstanding colleagues.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level