Established in 1970, the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press (Reporters Committee) provides pro bono legal representation, amicus curiae support, and other legal resources to protect First Amendment freedoms and the newsgathering rights of journalists. Reporters Committee serves news organizations, reporters, documentary filmmakers, media lawyers, and many more who use its online resources.

Staff Attorney

The Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press (Reporters Committee) is hiring an early career attorney to expand the Reporters Committee’s ability to rapidly respond to legal threats to press freedom and to ensure that journalists across the country have easy access to the pro bono legal resources they need to do their jobs safely and effectively. The Staff Attorney will oversee the Reporters Committee’s Legal Hotline, including supervising the work of legal fellows tasked with responding to hotline inquiries. The Staff Attorney also will be responsible for providing legal training to journalists and news organizations, and for developing and maintaining Reporters Committee’s written resources on topics ranging from safely covering protests and elections to vetting stories to reduce legal risk. The Staff Attorney will take a lead role in promoting the work of the Reporters Committee and partner legal services providers, and in cultivating and maintaining relationships with private attorneys, law firms, law school legal clinics, nonprofit organizations, and other partners.

The Staff Attorney also will have the opportunity to provide direct legal services alongside other Reporters Committee attorneys, including by representing the Reporters Committee, news organizations, and individual journalists in impact and defense litigation involving newsgathering and First Amendment rights, and advising independent and freelance journalists on legal concerns in connection with the Reporters Committee’s pre-publication/vetting practice. 

This full-time position reports to the Deputy Legal Director.

The Reporters Committee is based in Washington, D.C. Applicants based in the Washington, D.C.-metropolitan area are strongly preferred but stellar remote applicants will be considered.  Starting salary, based on experience, will range from $105,800 - $115,400. The deadline to apply is August 31, 2024. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.

Key Responsibilities Include:

●     Manage and oversee the Reporters Committee’s Legal Hotline, including supervising the work of legal fellows tasked with responding to hotline inquiries;

●     Provide legal training to inform journalists and news organizations about their newsgathering and First Amendment rights;

●     Develop and maintain Reporters Committee guides and other written resources on topics ranging from safely covering protests and elections to vetting stories to reduce legal risk;

●     Work with other Reporters Committee attorneys and staff to cultivate relationships with private attorneys, law firms, law school legal clinics, nonprofit organizations, and other partners;

●     Promote the work of the Reporters Committee and other partner legal services providers;

●     Work with other Reporters Committee attorneys to represent journalists and news organizations in litigation and other First Amendment and newsgathering matters.

●     At least one year of post-graduate legal experience; substantive experience in media law is strongly preferred;

●     A passion for protecting press freedom and a strong desire to support the work of journalists across the country;

●     Excellent written and oral communication skills; public speaking experience is preferred;

●     Strong leadership skills with the ability to effectively supervise and guide Reporters Committee legal fellows and legal interns; 

●     Good judgment and the highest level of professional integrity.

Compensation and Benefits

Salary range, based on experience, is from $105,800 - $115,400. Our generous benefit package should also be considered. For all regular full-time positions, the Reporters Committee offers:

• A competitive base salary with 3 weeks paid vacation, 4 annual floating days, sick time, and all Federal holidays including the day after Thanksgiving;
• A retirement savings plan, including a 5% employer contribution to 401k after 3 months of service;
• Comprehensive employer paid insurance coverage, including medical, dental, vision, life and accidental death, and disability;
• Ability to use pre-tax dollars for dependent care and commuting expenses.

To Apply

Please submit a resume, cover letter explaining your interest in the position, and contact information for three references by the priority deadline of August 31, 2024. Please submit materials in one PDF or Word file. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. Incomplete applications will not be reviewed. Please note: the Reporters Committee does not sponsor work visas. All applicants must be authorized to work in the United States.

COVID Vaccination

All RCFP employees must be fully vaccinated/boosted against COVID or present us with a medical or religious/ethical/moral accommodation that meets our satisfaction.

RCFP is committed to the principle of equal employment opportunity for all employees and to providing employees with a work environment free of discrimination and harassment. All employment decisions at RCFP are based on business needs, job requirements and individual qualifications, without regard to race, ethnicity, age, religion or belief, family or parental status, or any other status protected by the laws or regulations in the locations where we operate. RCFP will not tolerate discrimination or harassment based on any of these characteristics.