Public Policy Counsel

Profile

Public Policy Counsel

The candidate will recommend revisions to team procedures and practices to incorporate best practices and address changes in the legal landscape and cultural environment. Disseminate, implement, and enforce organization and team standards, policies, and procedures, including providing proper guidance to those carrying out related duties. Assist with developing and executing plans and strategies to meet team goals and objectives. Lobby legislators and draft bill language for the organization’s priorities. Perform legal analysis to determine the Constitutionality of existing and proposed laws and policies. Work to actively elevate the work and leadership of communities directly impacted by injustice. Conduct legal research to identify key issues related to proposed legislation. Identify, track, and advise on introduced and proposed legislation before the Maryland General Assembly and other local legislative bodies that affect civil liberties. Maintain bill tracking database and hearing schedule, program calendars, and docket information. Monitor implementation of priority laws that passed from the previous session. Attend hearings, briefings, and other proceedings before the General Assembly. Draft testimony on a wide range of bills to explain the Constitutional implications of legislation and the organization's position. Deliver verbal testimony at the state and local level to represent the organization in front of government bodies. Draft reports, memos, letters, and documents to different audiences to explain complex legal and policy matters and provide recommendations. Draft policy briefs, fact sheets, one-pagers, talking points, communications and education materials, and other documents to synthesize complex issues into persuasive language that is easy to understand. Build and maintain relationships with key legislators, coalitions, and advocates to advance the organization's legislative agenda. Assist members of the legal department on an ad hoc basis by conducting legal research, writing, and analysis. Assist with development of and facilitate meetings with members of different departments and outside coalitions and advocates. Collaborate with the engagement team on outreach and organizing strategies. Collaborate with the communications team on media and communication strategies. Assist with developing and executing plans and strategies to meet team goals and objectives. Advance Juris Doctorate degree is required. Should have 3-7 years’ experience in a similar position. Experience with statutory and legislative analysis, legal research and writing, and legislative and budget processes in Maryland is required; experience with advocacy and policy change tools; awareness of the political landscape is required. Criminal defense trial experience is required. Bar Certification is required. Spanish skills are preferred.

Additional Information

Send cover letter, resume, 3 professional references, and (no longer than 5 pages) writing sample.

Company info

ACLU of Maryland.
2219 Saint Paul Street
Baltimore
Maryland
United States 21218
Website : http://www.aclu-md.org