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Legislative Attorney Jobs in Tennessee (NOW HIRING)

The paralegal/legal assistant will assist attorneys in legal research, drafting, document review, Board meeting preparation, rulemaking, legislative analysis, revising State Board rules and policies ...

Maintains strong working knowledge of legislative changes that may affect company, customers, and ... attorney, preferably with experience in commercial transactions/contracts. Transportation ...

Maintains strong working knowledge of legislative changes that may affect company, customers, and ... attorney, preferably with experience in commercial transactions/contracts. Transportation ...

Senior Counsel

Memphis, TN

$135K - $184K/yr

Acts as primary legal department contact for outside attorney communications on assigned projects ... Recommends and implements specific company responses to changes in governmental and legislative ...

Showing results 21-32

Legislative Attorney information

See Tennessee salary details

$27.2K

$58.3K

$109.8K

How much do legislative attorney jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 17, 2026, the average yearly pay for legislative attorney in Tennessee is $58,254.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $39,900.00 and $64,900.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a legislative attorney?

A Legislative Attorney is a legal professional who specializes in analyzing, drafting, and interpreting legislation for government bodies, lawmakers, and committees. They provide legal advice on the implications of proposed laws and help ensure that legislation complies with existing legal frameworks. Legislative Attorneys also conduct legal research, prepare written opinions, and may assist in the legislative process by testifying before committees or advising on policy issues. Their work is essential to the development of clear, effective, and lawful public policy.

What does a legislative attorney do?

As a legislative attorney, your job is to support a legislative body as they prepare reports, documents, and proposed materials. In this role, you may help determine whether or not a proposed bill complies with existing law and suggest solutions for any issues. You also ensure that the legislators follow the correct procedures throughout the process of creating laws. Legislative attorneys often write formal opinions examining the constitutionality, effect, or operation of a bill and provide these to others as necessary. The duties of this job can vary somewhat from area to area, but legislative attorneys almost always work directly for legislative bodies like city councils or state houses of representatives.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a legislative attorney, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Legislative Attorney, you need a law degree, bar admission, and expertise in legislative research, statutory interpretation, and legal writing. Familiarity with legislative tracking systems, legal databases like Westlaw or LexisNexis, and government document management tools is common. Strong analytical thinking, attention to detail, and effective communication are crucial soft skills for advising lawmakers and drafting legislation. These skills and qualifications are vital to ensure accurate, legally sound, and actionable guidance in the fast-paced legislative environment.

How does a legislative attorney typically collaborate with policymakers and other stakeholders during the legislative process?

Legislative Attorneys work closely with lawmakers, legislative staff, and subject matter experts to draft, analyze, and refine proposed legislation. They often participate in meetings or committee hearings to provide legal advice, explain the implications of legal language, and ensure proposed bills comply with state or federal laws. Effective communication and teamwork are essential, as Legislative Attorneys must translate complex legal concepts into accessible language for non-lawyers and help build consensus among diverse stakeholders.

What is the difference between Legislative Attorney vs Legislative Analyst?

AspectLegislative AttorneyLegislative Analyst
Required CredentialsLaw degree, bar admission often preferredBachelor's or master's degree in political science, public policy, or related fields
Work EnvironmentLegal offices, government agencies, legislative bodiesLegislative offices, government agencies, policy research organizations
Employer & Industry UsageLegal departments within legislative bodies, government legal teamsLegislative offices, think tanks, policy analysis firms
Common Search & ComparisonLegal expertise, legislative process, policy reviewPolicy analysis, legislative research, data interpretation

While both roles work within the legislative environment, a Legislative Attorney primarily provides legal advice, drafts legislation, and ensures legal compliance. In contrast, a Legislative Analyst focuses on researching policies, analyzing legislative proposals, and supporting decision-making with data. Understanding these differences helps clarify career paths and job expectations in legislative careers.

What job categories do people searching Legislative Attorney jobs in Tennessee look for?

The top searched job categories for Legislative Attorney jobs in Tennessee are:

What cities in Tennessee are hiring for Legislative Attorney jobs?

Cities in Tennessee with the most Legislative Attorney job openings:

Infographic showing various Legislative Attorney job openings in Tennessee as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 91% Full Time, 7% Part Time, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 77% Physical, 13% Hybrid, and 10% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $58,254 per year, or $28 per hour.

Principal, Advocacy, Southeast US or Midwest US

Ryan, LLC

Nashville, TN • On-site

Full-time

Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 19 days ago


Job description

Why Ryan?

  • Hybrid Work Options

  • Award-Winning Culture

  • Generous Personal Time Off (PTO) Benefits

  • 14-Weeks of 100% Paid Leave for New Parents (Adoption Included)

  • Monthly Gym Membership Reimbursement OR Gym Equipment Reimbursement

  • Benefits Eligibility Effective Day One

  • 401K with Employer Match

  • Tuition Reimbursement After One Year of Service

  • Fertility Assistance Program

  • Four-Week Company-Paid Sabbatical Eligibility After Five Years of Service

This unique opportunity is based in any major city in the Midwest or Southwest. Preferred locations include: Illinois, Indiana, Ohio in the Midwest and Florida, Louisiana, Nashville, TN or Atlanta, GA in the Southeast.
The Principal, Advocacy will serve as Ryan's key point of contact with tax policy leaders and elected officials in a multi-state region. The ideal job candidate must have the strategic relationships in place and an established record of success developing tax policies and procedures and resolving tax disputes.
We will consider individuals who are ready for a promotion and currently at the Managing Director or Director level. A Principal at Ryan is similar to an Equity Partner in public accounting.
If this is you or someone you know, we would like to speak with you. Please submit your resume or contact us directly if you want to learn more.
Contact: Rebecca.Turton@ryan.com or Andra.Kayem@ryan.com
Come be a part of the excitement at Ryan. We are a Great Place to Work!
The Principal, Advocacy is responsible for leading Advocacy activities in their defined geography to represent the interests of Ryan and its clients at all levels of government and will be responsible for developing and executing strategies that align with business priorities. He/she will establish positive working relationships with Federal, State and Local government officials and their constituencies. This individual will be the lead Ryan executive in the region leading interdepartmental teams to create both short-term and long-term success. They will lead and manage a team of service delivery advocates, attorneys, and internal and third-party lobbyists. They will also work with strategic third-party groups that align with the firm's needs.
This Principal will establish positive working relationships with Federal, State and Local government officials and their constituencies. This individual will be the lead Ryan executive in the region leading interdepartmental teams to create both short-term and long-term success closing cases and improving processes. They will lead and manage a team of service delivery advocates, attorneys, and internal and third-party lobbyists. They will also work with strategic third-party groups that align with the firm's needs.

Duties and Responsibilities, as they align to Ryan's Key Results

People:

  • Create a positive, work environment where team members can thrive and provide excellent client service and drive exceptional results.
  • Lead geographic interdepartmental teams, of subject matter experts to identify opportunities and issues in a proactive manner.
  • Lead strike team on key issues creating strategy and managing execution of plan to solve problems and improve processes.

Client:

  • Resolve client cases and issues in an expeditious and beneficial manner for both the client and the firm.
  • Review and enact policy, regulatory and legislative changes, internally or through an outside lobby group, to drive favorable outcomes, and benefit the organization's business goals.
  • Build on Ryan's reputation to drive innovation in taxpayer services.

Value:

  • Consult with senior leadership team to strategize and set agenda in each respective state agency and legislative session.
  • Develop and execute a strategy (long-term and short-term) aligning with Ryan overall vision of government relations and client advocacy to achieve business goals.
  • Develop, gather and drive persuasive public policy ideas, solutions, and countermeasures effectively.
  • Identify and work with key third-party organizations that align with the firm's interests to mobilize them for support.
  • Responsible for elevating and managing political profile with key local, state, and federal officials and making political giving recommendations.
  • Develop effective and timely case and issue status reports, success factors and goal alignment, timely scheduled communications to key stakeholders and executive leadership updating progress and on-going strategic efforts.
  • Performs other duties as assigned.

Education and Experience:

  • Bachelor's degree or post graduate degree in law, government, or public policy, especially in the field of tax.
  • Juris Doctor (J.D.) is required. Master's degree, CPA, or Master of Public Administration degree preferred.
  • 10+ years of experience in tax public policy and/or negotiation in a corporation or professional services firm. Subject matter expertise in tax recovery and minimization services and previous track record of excellent service delivery are required. Possession of the essential skills required.
  • Strong background in tax controversy is required.

Essential Skills Required:

  • Thorough knowledge in Federal and State tax laws and government affairs, proven track record of effectively and successfully working with senior government officials, staff members, and regulators
  • Established, key relationships with those individuals who are decision makers and in positions of influence in regulatory agencies and state legislatures
  • Experienced in analyzing, interpreting, and assessing tax policies and recommending a strategy that results in a favorable outcome
  • Exceptional communications skills with individuals, small groups and large audience presentations.
  • Highly effective negotiator with strong business acumen in tax matters with the ability to achieve successful, measurable and meaningful results in campaigns affecting positive changes in tax policy
  • Demonstrated experience in keeping campaigns at top of mind with stakeholders, lobbyist, and moving towards a positive outcome for Ryan clients
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills with a focused attention to detail and accuracy, organizational skills to manage multiple projects to completion and proactively keeping those involved updated
  • Ability to work effectively independently and in a team-based environment and adaptable to changing priorities in a dynamic environment
  • A work style that operates with a sense of urgency and thoroughness and professional demeanor that promotes and encourages trust and confidence in tax matters
  • Effective management of outside vendors (e.g. lobby groups)

Computer Skills:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must have intermediate knowledge of Microsoft Word, Access, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, PowerBI and Internet navigation and research.

Certificates and Licenses:

Valid driver's license required.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

Directly or indirectly supervises employees in the Practice and interdepartmental teams and carries out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with the Firm's policies and applicable laws.

Work Environment:

  • Standard indoor working environment.
  • Requires some after hours and weekend work.
  • Occasional long periods of sitting while working at computer.
  • Position requires regular interaction with employees and clients in person, on video and via e-mail and telephone.
  • Independent travel requirement: 30 to 50%.

Equal Opportunity Employer: disability/veteran