Federalist Convention Comes At Right Time For Potential Hill Staffers

From The Blog of Legal Times and Alliance Defense Fund:

November 17, 2010


Federalist Convention Comes at Right Time for Potential Hill Staffers

Scores of newly elected Republican lawmakers came to Washington this week, looking to learn congressional rules and hire their staffs. Luckily for them, hundreds of conservative lawyers are also gathering.



Thursday marks the beginning of the annual national convention of the Federalist Society, which every November offers its members the chance to debate ideas, see old friends and network with new contacts. This year’s meeting has the advantage of coming barely two weeks after the Republicans’ victories in the midterm elections.



“I think any opportunity that policymakers have to deal with professionals that are grounded in the traditional understanding of the Constitution and the law is a benefit,” said Rep. Mike Pence (R-Ind.). And, he added, “We’re doing a lot of hiring out here right now.”



Pence, a potential 2012 presidential candidate who has been a member of the House’s Republican leadership, is scheduled to speak to the convention Friday. He said he plans to expand on a speech he delivered in September at Hillsdale College about the powers of the presidency under the Constitution.



The convention doesn’t include anything as formal as job fair, and one lawyer who will speak on a panel, Baker Hostetler partner David Rivkin Jr., said the convention’s organized panels and debates will always be its focus.



But Leonard Leo, the executive vice president of the Federalist Society, said another goal is to foster social interaction among society members through receptions, meals and other settings. An “invisible hand” may then lead to professional networking, he said: “These things sort of happen best when they happen naturally.”



Leo added, “It’s always a good thing for smart, talented folks to want to commit to public service, which is often as much a sacrifice as it is a joy.”



Michael Madigan, a partner at Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe, said the Federalist Society convention has the advantage of drawing lawyers from a wide range of career stages, from law school students to senior partners and lawmakers.



“The Federalist Society is always a very good source of talent, and it’s certainly a networking opportunity,” said Madigan, who will be on one of the convention’s panel discussions. “When you have a change like this,” he added, referring to Republicans taking control of the House, “it would be a fertile place to look.”



At least 1,500 people are expected to attend the three-day convention, Leo said.



Posted by David Ingram on November 17, 2010 at 03:35 PM