Legislative Policy Associate

Institute for Justice • Arlington, VA

1d • Hybrid

About The Position

The Institute for Justice (IJ), a national law firm for liberty, is seeking a Policy Associate or Legislative Counsel to join its Legislative team. IJ focuses on economic liberty, free speech, private property rights, and educational choice, aiming to shape a freer society and defend constitutional rights. This role is crucial in promoting individual liberties in state legislatures by advocating for legislation that protects the right to earn a living free from unreasonable governmental interference and safeguards property rights. The position is open to candidates at multiple experience levels, with the title, responsibilities, and salary determined by experience. Candidates with significant legislative advocacy experience and a J.D. may be considered for the title of Legislative Counsel.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree
• Minimum 1 year of professional work experience
• Knowledge of and passion for IJ's pillars, with a demonstrated ability to build and deepen expertise in those areas.
• Excellent interpersonal skills, including the ability to communicate persuasively – both orally and in writing – with legislators, policy makers, activists, colleagues, coalition members, and media.
• Ability to analyze bills and statutes in collaboration with IJ attorneys.
• Top-tier organizational skills, including executing detailed plans for lobbying with people from diverse backgrounds and external members of coalitions.
• Ability to effectively manage multiple projects and competing demands on short deadlines.
• Perseverance, optimism, and the ability to collaborate effectively with IJ attorneys.
• Ability to work across the political spectrum and demonstrate exceptional professionalism in both appearance and demeanor.
• Ability to support and advance sophisticated legislative efforts.

Nice To Haves

• Background in political science, lobbying, or political communication
• One year of experience working in a state legislature or in state government affairs
• Law degree or Master’s in Public Policy
• Experience using government affairs software, such as Quorum or FiscalNote
• Experience supporting and managing grassroots campaigns
• Public speaking experience
• Experience testifying at legislative committee hearings
• Experience developing and building relationships

Responsibilities

• Researching legislation with IJ’s Director of Legislation and Legislative Counsel, including researching the need for legislation, identifying bill supporters and opponents, and assessing the strengths and weaknesses of bills.
• Meeting with key stakeholders.
• Developing and executing legislative strategies with IJ’s Director of Legislation and Legislative Counsel, including identifying, securing, and managing direct relationships with bill sponsors.
• Identifying and organizing grassroots advocates.
• Forming coalitions with members of politically diverse organizations.
• Planning and executing media events to build support for legislation.
• Monitoring bills and ensuring text remains consistent with IJ’s strategies.
• Lobbying and assisting grassroots advocates in meeting with state legislators.
• Organizing testifiers for committee hearings.
• Drafting written testimony and testifying at committee hearings.
• Building and managing IJ campaign web pages using government affairs software.

Benefits

• Hybrid work schedule, requiring three days in-office each week; four fully remote weeks a year
• Flexible work hours with our core business hours of 10am and 4pm
• Smart casual dress code; casual Fridays
• Health, Dental, and Vision insurance (IJ covers 100% of individual premiums)
• Free Short-Term Disability, Long-Term Disability, and Life insurance plans
• HSA employer contributions
• 401(k) with employer matches
• Generous PTO including a paid personal day and 12 paid holidays

What This Job Offers

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