Research Assistant, Congressional Investigations

Research Assistant

Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP is one of the world's leading international law firms. The firm provides coordinated legal advice and transactional capability to clients around the globe. The Client Development & Engagement (CDE) function sits at the heart of the firm's growth strategy, bringing together business development, marketing, events and communications. Working closely with partners, practice leaders, and cross functional teams, CDE supports high impact initiatives such as pitches and RFPs, strategic marketing and communications, and practice level business initiatives. The team leverages data, insights, and creative problem solving to help partners drive sustained growth through repeatable excellence and a modern client experience.

The Research Assistant position sits with CDE and works closely with the firm's Congressional Investigations practice, which assists clients in all stages of the legislative branch's oversight processes. The role directly supports a team of three partners and several senior attorneys and associates in monitoring media – including social media - from Capitol Hill, identifying client development opportunities, and producing research reports and background memorandum to prepare partners for client engagements. This is a unique opportunity gain hands-on exposure to the firm's business and clients, collaborate across disciplines, and develop foundational skills in business development, strategy, and client engagement.

Essential job duties and responsibilities include:

• Summarizing and distributing timely legal and policy news coverage impacting client investigations
• Tracking congressional member and committee activity, preparing written reports for senior staff and clients
• Producing comprehensive research on congressional, state, and regulatory scrutiny towards clients and corporate participants
• Actively participating in weekly team meetings and providing relevant research updates to keep the team informed
• Creative issue spotting for senior lawyers for potential work streams for clients
• Careful data tracking for attorney-ready analyses

Education:

• Bachelor's degree

Skills and experience:

• Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to build rapport across all levels of the Congressional Investigations practice and with members of the Client Development & Engagement team
• Flexibility and willingness to work outside core hours. Daily reporting is critical for success in this function
• Demonstrated ability to operate independently, exercise sound judgment, discretion and advise senior stakeholders
• Demonstrated ability to handle confidential information with care and professionalism and exercise excellent judgment
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to translate complex information into clear, compelling messaging
• Highly organized, proactive, and solutions-oriented
• Proven ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced, high-expectation environment
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office (Outlook, Word, PowerPoint, Excel) and comfort learning new systems

Preferred:

• Prior Hill or related working experience is a plus

Salary Information:

DC Only: The estimated base salary range for this position is $60,000 to $65,000 at the time of posting. The actual salary offered will depend on a variety of factors, including without limitation, the qualifications of the individual applicant for the position, years of relevant experience, level of education attained, certifications or other professional licenses held, and if applicable, the location in which the applicant lives and/or from which they will be performing the job. This role is non-exempt meaning it is overtime pay eligible.

Simpson Thacher will not sponsor applicants for work visas for this position.