Legal Affairs and Courts Reporter

Nexstar Media Group, Inc.•Washington, DC

1d•$62,500 - $70,000•Onsite

About The Position

The Hill, a division of Nexstar Media Group, is hiring a Legal Affairs and Courts Reporter to cover the federal courts and Justice Department. This position will be responsible for writing breaking news and analysis on cases before the Supreme Court and federal judiciary system. The reporter will also work with our team to deliver The Gavel, The Hill’s weekly courts newsletter and streaming show. Our courts reporters are responsible for writing breaking news and enterprise pieces about the judiciary branch. We focus on the federal system but also pay attention to major cases in state courts. Our goal is to write about the courts through the prism of politics, to help our readers understand how the judicial branch affects the executive and legislative branches. We also want to show how the decisions coming out of the Supreme Court will affect our readers’ lives, so that our breaking news pieces on the daily nitty-gritty also paint a larger picture of how policy is shaped over years. A successful reporter in this role will be writing a mix of spot stories as well as longer feature stories. An ability to collaborate and communicate with other members of the courts team and our wider newsroom is a priority.

Requirements

A degree in journalism or a related field is required.
Previous newsroom experience is required.
Candidates should have good instincts for understanding what readers want.
Candidates should be able to produce error-free, clean journalism on a tight timetable.

Nice To Haves

Courts coverage is a plus, but not required.
Basic familiarity with Google Trends, SEO skills and real-time analytics are a plus.

Responsibilities

Writing breaking news and larger enterprise stories on federal court decisions and filings and Supreme Court rulings in ways that increases The Hill’s reach and readership.
Writing The Gavel, our weekly courts newsletter, and appearing on The Gavel’s streaming show.
Helping to keep track of all the cases moving through the courts so that The Hill is prepared when decisions are handed down.