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

The Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press (Reporters Committee) is hiring a staff 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 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.  The Staff Attorney also will contribute to the Reporters Committee’s amicus and pre-publication/vetting practices and will facilitate and conduct trainings for journalists and news organizations. 

This full-time position reports to the Director of National Litigation.

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 $118,600 - $134,700. The deadline to apply is October 15, 2025.

Key Responsibilities Include:

• Representing journalists and news organizations in litigation and other matters involving access to judicial records/proceedings, freedom of information, and other newsgathering and First Amendment matters; this includes, among other things: intake/case selection and other strategy decisions; drafting correspondence, administrative appeals, pleadings, briefs, and other filings in trial and appellate courts; negotiating with opposing counsel; and appearing on behalf of clients in state and federal court;

• Drafting amicus briefs and—depending on the seniority level and experience of the attorney—supervising the work of more junior RCFP attorneys on amicus briefs in cases presenting important newsgathering and First Amendment issues;

• Educating journalists about First Amendment and newsgathering rights, including by conducting trainings for journalists and news organizations on media law topics;

• Counseling journalists, including documentary filmmakers, on legal issues related to newsgathering, access to information, libel, and privacy in connection with the Reporters Committee’s pre-publication partnerships.

Requirements

• Admitted to practice law in Washington, D.C. or eligible for admission to practice law in Washington, D.C.;

• A minimum of four years of experience litigating cases in state and federal court, preferably with meaningful, substantive experience in access to judicial records/proceedings, libel/defamation, and other media law matters; 

• Outstanding legal research skills, and excellent written and oral communication skills;  

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

• Sound judgment and the highest level of professional integrity;

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

Physical Demands: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit and operate computer equipment. The employee is occasionally required to stand and walk. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.

Compensation: RCFP is committed to offering competitive pay and generous benefits, including group medical insurance, short- and long-term disability insurance, retirement benefits, health-reimbursement accounts, and paid family leave. The salary range for this position is $118,600 to $134,700.

How to apply: Submit a resume and cover letter. NOTE: Please submit materials in one PDF file. Only complete applications will advance in the hiring process. 

Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States. 

RCFP Is an Equal Opportunity Employer. At the Reporters Committee, we celebrate the diversity of our employees and our leadership. RCFP is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status or any other characteristic protected by law.