Closing Date: 8th June, 2026
Description:
Introduction:The Wisconsin Legislative Council is a nonpartisan service agency in the Wisconsin Legislature that employs attorneys and analysts who provide legal and policy research services to legislative committees, legislators, and legislative staff. The Legislative Council staff is required, by statute, to be strictly nonpartisan.
Salary Information:
The Legislative Council seeks a staff attorney to join the agency, with an anticipated start date of August 2026. The position is located in downtown Madison, across from the State Capitol. The position is in the unclassified state service and offers a comprehensive compensation and benefits package. The starting salary is $81,000 and may be negotiable based on relevant work experience.
Job Details:
Primary Responsibilities:
Committee Staffing
Research for Individual Legislators
Administrative Rules Review
Review and prepare reports on proposed administrative rules that are promulgated by state agencies, including analyzing whether a state agency has statutory authority to promulgate a rule.
Publications
Qualifications:
A qualified candidate will have a Juris Doctor degree from an accredited law school and a license to practice law in the State of Wisconsin (or an expectation to obtain a Wisconsin law license within six months of employment). In addition, a qualified candidate will have the ability to work well in a nonpartisan role; have a strong knowledge of basic legal principles and constitutional law, as well as federal, state, and local government organization and functions; be able to work well in a visible and time-sensitive manner; and have an interest in working in a collaborative environment.
An ideal candidate will also possess all of the following:
How to Apply:
The deadline to apply for this position is June 8, 2026.
To apply, submit the following application materials: (1) resume; (2) law school transcript; and (3) two-page statement of interest that describes your interest in, and qualifications for, the position. Application materials should be submitted via email to Katie Patyk, Administrative Assistant, Wisconsin Legislative Council, at lcapp@legis.wisconsin.gov.
We are an Equal Opportunity Employer seeking a diverse and talented workforce.
- Prepare for and attend each meeting of each assigned standing committee or study committee. [Typically, an attorney is assigned to staff three to six standing committees during the legislative session and to staff one to two study committees during the interim period.
- Provide legal and policy research to the committee.
- Respond to questions from the committee and provide legal interpretation and analysis on bills and amendments that are being considered by the committee, as well as relevant federal or state law.
- Provide written legal interpretations and analyses on bills, amendments, and federal or state law.
- Provide briefings to committee members on bills being considered by the committee.
- Provide advice on topics such as the Open Meetings Law and committee procedure.
- Assist in the development of bills and amendments, including providing analysis on the practical and legal effects of changes to state law.
- Advise the committee in its oversight of state agencies.
- Develop expertise in the subject matter areas under the jurisdiction of the committee.
- Develop strong working relationships with the chair, ranking minority member, and other members of the committee.
Research for Individual Legislators
- Provide legal interpretations and analyses on bills, amendments, and federal or state law, either orally or in writing.
- Assist in the development of bills and amendments, including providing analysis on the practical and legal effects of changes to state law.
- Provide advice on the Open Meetings Law, Public Records Law, and legislative procedure.
Administrative Rules Review
Review and prepare reports on proposed administrative rules that are promulgated by state agencies, including analyzing whether a state agency has statutory authority to promulgate a rule.
Publications
- Write act memos for bills that are enacted into law.
- Write amendment memos for amendments that are adopted by a committee or house of the Legislature.
- Write publications on topics of interest to the Legislature.
Qualifications:
A qualified candidate will have a Juris Doctor degree from an accredited law school and a license to practice law in the State of Wisconsin (or an expectation to obtain a Wisconsin law license within six months of employment). In addition, a qualified candidate will have the ability to work well in a nonpartisan role; have a strong knowledge of basic legal principles and constitutional law, as well as federal, state, and local government organization and functions; be able to work well in a visible and time-sensitive manner; and have an interest in working in a collaborative environment.
An ideal candidate will also possess all of the following:
- Interest in working in the legislative branch.
- Strong oral and written communication skills.
- Experience in interpreting and advising on statutory and case law.
- Significant knowledge and experience in at least one policy area.
- Knowledge of parliamentary procedure.
How to Apply:
The deadline to apply for this position is June 8, 2026.
To apply, submit the following application materials: (1) resume; (2) law school transcript; and (3) two-page statement of interest that describes your interest in, and qualifications for, the position. Application materials should be submitted via email to Katie Patyk, Administrative Assistant, Wisconsin Legislative Council, at lcapp@legis.wisconsin.gov.
We are an Equal Opportunity Employer seeking a diverse and talented workforce.
