Media Law Counsel

Position summary

Reporting to the President & CEO of Pennsylvania NewsMedia Association, the Media Law Counsel will provide legal guidance, strategic assistance, and education to member news media organizations and other stakeholders on a broad range of issues involving media law, the First Amendment, government transparency, and other legal and policy matters affecting the news media industry.

Essential duties and responsibilities:

• Manage the PNA Legal Hotline by providing timely legal guidance to member news organizations, including background legal consultations and on-the-record commentary on a broad range of media law issues, while maintaining accurate records of member inquiries and legal guidance provided
• Conduct legal seminars and training programs for members and other interested parties
• Evaluate potential amicus opportunities and draft and file amicus briefs and related pleadings in state and federal courts
• Represent the interests of the news media industry before the Pennsylvania General Assembly by analyzing proposed legislation and drafting legislative language in coordination with PNA's legislative team and preparing written and oral testimony for legislative proceedings
• Provide legal guidance to the boards of PNA, the PNA Foundation, and MANSI Media and all committees thereof on corporate governance and bylaw compliance at quarterly meetings and as needed
• Oversee and ensure organizational compliance with Pennsylvania lobbying disclosure laws
• Organize and attend the annual PNA Media Lawyer’s Conference
• Monitor developments in state and federal case law, proposed court rules, administrative regulations, and state and local policies affecting news media organizations and offer formal comments as needed
• Draft advocacy letters on behalf of PNA members and engage with executive, legislative, and judicial branch officials at the state and local levels to advance policies positively impacting the news media industry
• Manage PNA's network of media law and advocacy partners, including law firms, attorneys, First Amendment organizations, press advocacy groups, collegiate journalism programs, and government transparency and public interest organizations
• Represent PNA with the Pennsylvania Bar Association’s Press Bar Committee and other organizations that impact news media rights and legal obligations
• Develop white papers, legal memoranda, guides, and training resources on legal issues affecting news media organizations for members and other stakeholders
• Maintain legal and research files of the PNA
• Other duties as assigned

Additional position details:

• Competitive salary in the range of $85,000-$95,000 and a company benefit package that includes an attractive
  healthcare plan
• Hybrid work schedule that is 35 hours per week based out of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania
• No billable hours required
• 401K opportunity

What you'll bring

Knowledge, skills, and abilities required:

• Juris Doctor degree from an accredited law school
• Current license to practice in Pennsylvania
• Registered lobbyist or ability to register immediately upon employment
• Previous legal practice preferred
• Journalism & Communications undergraduate degree preferred
• Strong organizational and time management skills, with the ability to balance a high-volume legal hotline and
  other substantive legal, legislative, and organizational responsibilities
• Ability to establish credibility and communicate effectively with a broad range of stakeholders, including
  journalists, attorneys, public officials, judges, and business leaders
• Sound legal judgement in determining the appropriate scope of legal guidance and when referral to outside
  counsel is warranted

How to apply

Visit the Pennsylvania NewsMedia Association for more.