Legislative Counsel Fellowship

NCGA Careers • Raleigh, NC

2d • $70,000 - $75,000

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. WHO WE ARE LAD is a nonpartisan central staff division of the North Carolina General Assembly. Our staff attorneys play an important role in the functioning of the State legislature by providing legal counsel and drafting services to legislative committees of the House of Representatives and the Senate. We also provide high-quality legal and policy information to all 170 legislators of the General Assembly, regardless of political affiliation. WHAT WE DO LAD staff attorneys specialize in legislative practice and develop expertise in one or more areas of substantive law and policy. We work with legislators, political staff, stakeholders, and other interested parties from all political parties and across State and local government in a cooperative and fast-paced environment to provide high-quality bill drafts and legal counsel on the legislative process. A successful staff attorney in LAD analyzes, identifies, and proposes solutions to complex legal issues, communicates clearly both orally and in writing, and operates under tight time constraints while juggling multiple assignments. We work independently while functioning as part of a team in a cooperative environment to provide objective and impartial assistance to legislators, regardless of political affiliation, on a variety of policy issues. Throughout the legislative cycle, we provide legal, policy, and general information to individual legislators. During the legislation session, we serve as counsel for committees considering bills for enactment by the General Assembly. In interim periods between legislative sessions we serve as counsel and coordinators for study committees. Our job is to help legislators effectuate their legislative intent, and we do not advocate for or against legislation. The duties of a Legislative Counsel Fellow will include: 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.

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.
• An interest in civil law, such as torts, property, insurance, business, and contracts. The Fellow will work primarily with the Civil Law team, with a primary focus on committees covering civil law, commerce, and insurance legislation.

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
• Education Level: No Education Listed