ANTHONY C. COE served for more than 30 years in the U.S. Senate Office of the Legislative Counsel, with primary areas of responsibility in homeland security, the Congress, the Judiciary, administrative law, Government organizations and employees, Federal employee health and retirement benefits, privacy laws, and intellectual property. He retired as Senior Counsel. Mr. Coe currently is a consultant for training attorneys and legal interns in drafting legislation, Senate procedure, and the Federal legislative process with the U.S. Senate Office of the Legislative Counsel. He also serves as a faculty member at the International Law Institute (Georgetown University Law School). Mr. Coe is Vice Chancellor for the Episcopal Diocese of Washington (Counsel). He received his BA from the University of Maryland Baltimore County and a JD from Catholic University Law School.
The Open-Enrollment: Drafting Federal Legislation and Amendments training helps anyone draft, revise, and review bills and amendments. It’s lessons are especially useful to those who review legislation, prepare reports, or draft legislation and other formal legislative documents. Our expert faculty explain the role of the OMB, examine various formats and explore ways to choose the most appropriate one for your issue.
In this training you will learn how to:
The Open-Enrollment: Drafting Federal Legislation and Amendments provides accessible training for professional drafters as well as other legal professionals, congressional staff, government affairs professionals, advocates, and students.
As part of the training, you will receive a copy of the Legislative Drafter’s Desk Reference, 3rd Edition.
Date: September 29, 2026
Time: 9:00-4:30 PM EST Location: Online, Zoom Meeting
Preparing to Draft • Analyze the problem, facts, and existing law — determine the policy to be drafted and the law to be addressed • Decide which approach and drafting style to use • Understand the differences between positive and non-positive law • Understand the amendment process: form and technique • Use special provisions designed to clarify and simplify
Organization and Structural Guidelines • Consider who the “audience” of your legislation or amendment will be • Review organizational guidelines of a legislative measure
Drafting “Rules,” Style and Practical Tips • Learn punctuation rules, practical tips and suggestions on legislative style, grammar, and specific wording • Gain awareness of general drafting problems • Review basic rules of construction as outlined in the United States Code • Discuss the executive orders on “writing in plain English” and legislative branch requirements
The fee for this program depends on the location, number of attendees, length, and training materials. For more information reach out to training@sunwater.org
“I now have a better understanding of the working of Congress and I see why the legislative process can be so long. It all was very useful since this is a new area of work for me-I feel better equipped to perform the duties of my job.” — Attendee, Administrative Office of the US Courts
“Better able to strategize regarding lobbying efforts and better able to inform my members on status of legislation.” — Government Affairs staffer, national association