Position Title:  Director of Governmental Affairs

Department:  Governmental Affairs

POSITION SUMMARY: Administer the legislative program of the North Carolina Bar Association. Serve as the Association’s legislative and executive branch lobbyist as well as federal lobbyist.  Coordinate Association legislative activities, working with the Executive Director, Board of Governors, the Executive Committee, all sections and committees, and departments of the Association.  Analyze impact of proposed legislation on Association activities.  Assist sections and committees in influencing legislation to achieve Association goals. 

EDUCATION, CREDENTIALS, AND TRAINING:

Required:        

College graduate with juris doctor degree. 

Proficiency in oral and written communication and computer skills.

Knowledge of the legislative process and/or the legal system. 

Team player, organized and detail-oriented.

Preferred:        

Previous legislative staff or lobbying experience.

License to practice Law in North Carolina.

EXPERIENCE: Preferred but not required.

ADDITIONAL SPECIALIZED KNOWLEDGE/SKILLS: 

Ability to establish strong working relationships with legislators, legislative staff, personnel from public and private agencies, and Association committees, sections and staff.  Ability to evaluate complex issues, recommend appropriate action to further the objectives of the Association, and take action as directed. Ability to use information and discussion to cooperate with and influence legislators and representatives of other public agencies and private entities.  Ability to maintain confidentiality and use discretion when dealing with sensitive information.  Excellent written and oral communication skills and presentation skills.  Ability to establish and maintain cooperative and collaborative relationships.  Knowledge of the North Carolina Constitution, North Carolina General Statutes, North Carolina Supreme Court Rules, the legislative process, and the court system in North Carolina desirable.

ORGANIZATIONAL RELATIONSHIPS:

Supervises: 

Assistant to the Director of Governmental Affairs                                   

Reports To:  Executive Director

FLSA STATUS: Exempt

Job Categories

1.      Legislative Agenda

2.      General Assembly and Federal Legislative Activity

3.      State Government Ethics Act Compliance

4.      Committees

5.      BARPAC

6.      Other Duties

Job Duties and Responsibilities

A.  Legislative Agenda - Coordinate the development, introduction and passage of the Association's Legislative Agenda as determined by the Board of Governors.

• Assist sections and committees as well as their legislative committees with developing Association sponsored legislation.
• Provide research and drafting assistance to sections and committees in support of  proposed legislation.
• Compile and circulate all final drafts of proposed legislation and accompanying information to the Association’s section and committee leadership and to the Executive Committee.
• Receive and compile all comments on proposed legislation from sections and forward them appropriately.
• Advise the proponents of the legislation of any concerns or comments and provide them with the opportunity to present their views to the Executive Committee.
• Present all proposed legislation to the Executive Committee and to the Board of Governors, with assistance from the proponents of the legislation as necessary.
• Notify the chair of the sponsoring section or committee of the Executive Committee's and Board of Governors’ recommendations and comments. 
• Obtain sponsors for all bills contained in the Association’s Legislative Agenda.
• Develop support for any part of the Association's Legislative Agenda through prepared written materials and/or direct contact with members of the General Assembly and handle any opposition or amendment to any part of the Association's Legislative Agenda.
• Coordinate testimony in support of the Association’s Legislative Agenda and provide written information about bills, amendments and Association positions on legislative issues.
• Participate in negotiations and take emergency positions as necessary concerning proposed amendments to Association sponsored legislation.

B.  General Assembly and Federal Legislative Activity - Monitor all legislative activity at the North Carolina General Assembly and, as requested, Congressional activity. 

• Represent the Association at the legislature and at meetings with legislators, legislative staff and staff from other governmental and private organizations.
• Monitor all bills introduced into the General Assembly each session, identifying those that contain issues of possible interest to members of the Association, refer those bills for further study and recommendation to the appropriate Association sections and committees and monitor all legislative action taken on those bills.
• Monitor all legislative committee meetings that address any topic of potential interest to members of the Association and monitor daily session of the General Assembly.
• Coordinate the appearance and testimony of Association volunteers and testify at committee hearings when asked to do so in a manner that is consistent with the Association’s legislative objectives.
• Coordinate the Association's response to requests from legislators and legislative staff for information.
• Advise legislators and legislative staff as appropriate on the development and drafting of legislation.
• Read and analyze publications produced by other groups which monitor the work of the General Assembly.
• Prepare and present quarterly reports to the Executive Committee and Board of Governors that update leadership about the status of the Association’s Legislative Agenda, other relevant developments, and to present legislative action requests from the sections and committees.
• Prepare and publish a weekly newsletter, during the time the General Assembly is in session and on an as-needed basis during the interim.
• Prepare and publish the Legislative Bulletin at the end of each legislative session.
• Attend political events on behalf of the Association.
• Prepare comprehensive end-of-session reports regarding legislation of interest to sections and committees.
• Federal legislative activity:

1.      Review monthly electronic publication, Washington Letter.

2.      Monitor Congressional proceedings through the national and legal media, the ABA's Governmental Affairs Office and the North Carolina Congressional delegation.

3.      Respond to requests from congressional offices regarding select bills of interest to sections and committees.

4.      Coordinate any section or committee recommendation with regard to a selected Federal bill as provided for in the North Carolina Bar Association's Legislative Policy and Procedures.

5.      Convey any approved section or committee recommendations on Federal legislation to the North Carolina Congressional delegation, the ABA's Government Relations Office and other parties as appropriate.

6.      Arrange meetings in Washington as needed or directed by the Executive Director.

C.  State Government Ethics Act Compliance Officer

·          Serve as the Association’s ethics compliance officer to make sure that no Association activities violate any provision of the State Government Ethics Act.

·          Respond to inquires from staff and volunteers as to whether Association activities are permissible under the State Government Ethics Act and advise Association leadership as necessary.

·          Draft and file formal and informal requests for advisory opinions from the State Ethics Commission.

·          Serve as the Association’s point of contact with the State Ethics Commission and Secretary of State’s Office.

·          Monitor legislation that amends the State Government Ethics Act and represent the Association’s position with regard to such amendments at meetings with governmental organizations and other non governmental organizations.

·          Keep records of reportable expenditures and file requisite reports with the Secretary of State’s Office.

D.  Committees - Serve as staff liaison for all assigned Association committees.

• Assist committee chairs with scheduling of regular meetings and necessary subcommittee meetings.
• Assist in preparing meeting agenda.
• Organize and prepare pertinent handouts for meeting.
• Participate in committee discussions.
• Assist in communications among committee members.
• Perform other duties as necessary to assist committees.           

E.  BARPAC - Manage and administer the NC BARPAC.

• Coordinate annual fund-raising campaigns.
• Keep required financial records of contributions and expenses related to the fund.
• Prepare all reports required by the Campaign Reporting Office.
• Respond appropriately to all solicitations received regarding the fund.
• Determine the proper use of NC BARPAC funds in consultation with the Executive Director.
• Communicate as necessary with BARPAC contributors.

E.  Other Duties - Perform other duties as required.

• File lobbying expense reports required by the Secretary of State's office.
• Develop, submit and manage an annual departmental budget.
• Serve as Association liaison to all non-Association commissions, task forces, committees and conferences that deal with any issue related to the administration of justice, including but not limited to, The Courts Commission, The General Statutes Commission and The Future of the Courts Commission.
• Organize Gubernatorial debate, U.S. Senatorial Debate, and  Judicial Candidates Forum for the Association’s Annual Meeting.
• Coordinate annual ABA Day activities.
• Participate in ABA/NABE events as appropriate.
• Visit as many local bar associations as is practical and give legislative presentations.
• Prepare and mail Judicial Candidate's Pledge to all judicial candidates.
• Monitor all aspects of election cycle.
• Perform any other task that may be necessary or helpful to the success of the Association's legislative program or the advancement of the Association's reputation in the legislative community.