Staff Attorney/Senior Staff Attorney – National Litigation

Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press•Washington, DC

6d•$128,800 - $153,100•Onsite

About The Position

The Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press is hiring a staff attorney or senior staff attorney to join its National Litigation program. This attorney will be responsible for designing and executing strategic litigation, providing rapid legal responses to threats against press freedom, and bolstering the newsgathering rights of journalists across the United States. The attorney’s primary focus will be providing direct representation to journalists and newsrooms, but they will also have the opportunity to participate in other Reporters Committee programs and advocacy efforts. This full-time position reports to the Director of National Litigation.

Requirements

Admitted to practice law in Washington, D.C. or eligible for admission to practice law in Washington, D.C.
A minimum of eight years of experience litigating cases in state and federal court.
Substantial experience with media law matters is preferred.
Judicial clerkships may qualify for up to two years of experience.
A passion for protecting press freedom and a strong desire to support the work of journalists across the country.
Outstanding legal research skills, and excellent written and oral communication skills.
Strong leadership skills with the ability to supervise—or demonstrated experience successfully managing—the work of less-experienced attorneys.
Excellent public speaking and oral communication skills, with the ability to work collaboratively and effectively with a broad range of clients and stakeholders.
Sound judgment and the highest level of professional integrity.
Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States.

Responsibilities

Representing journalists and news organizations in litigation involving access to judicial records/proceedings, freedom of information requests, Administrative Procedure Act claims, Section 1983 cases, and other newsgathering and First Amendment matters. This includes, among other things: intake/case selection; drafting correspondence, administrative appeals, pleadings, briefs, and other filings in trial and appellate courts; negotiating with opposing counsel; conducting discovery; and appearing on behalf of clients in state and federal courts.
Developing and pursuing impact litigation in federal and state court to address emerging and systemic issues affecting reporters and newsrooms.
Supervising legal fellows and interns at the Reporters Committee on pre-litigation and litigation matters, working with co-counsel and law school clinics, and, depending on experience level, supervising the work of more junior Reporters Committee attorneys.
Working with the policy and amicus teams at the Reporters Committee on a wide variety of issues affecting the news media, including drafting amicus briefs, administrative comments, and advocacy letters.
Educating journalists about First Amendment and newsgathering rights, including by conducting trainings for journalists and news organizations on media law topics.