Senior Staff Attorney – Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press

The Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press is currently seeking a senior staff attorney with at least seven years of legal experience, including significant appellate experience, to lead the Reporters Committee’s nationwide amicus practice. The senior staff attorney – amicus position presents a unique opportunity for a senior attorney to further develop and oversee a core, mission-critical aspect of the Reporters Committee’s legal work.

The Reporters Committee files approximately 50 amicus briefs each year in state and federal appellate courts across the country, frequently representing coalitions of the nation’s leading news media organizations, in matters presenting issues of importance to the First Amendment and newsgathering rights of journalists. The senior staff attorney will be responsible for successfully leading the Reporters Committee’s amicus practice, including: drafting and editing amicus briefs and letters; supervising the work of less-experienced attorneys, including legal fellows, on amicus matters; participating as amicus in oral argument; and managing relationships with in-house attorneys and outside counsel in connection with the Reporters Committee’s amicus practice. The position will require a staff attorney with significant appellate experience, excellent legal writing skills, and experience successfully supervising the legal work of less-experienced attorneys. Experience representing journalists and news organizations in matters involving access to judicial records/proceedings, freedom of information, libel, and other newsgathering and First Amendment matters, is strongly preferred.

The position will be based in Washington, D.C. The position will report to the Legal Director.

Responsibilities:

●        Working with Reporters Committee senior leaders and staff attorneys to identify appropriate cases for amicus support and priorities for the Reporters Committee’s amicus practice;

●        Managing all aspects of the amicus brief/letter development and submission process, including legal strategy and argument development, managing relationships with local counsel, coordinating amicus coalitions, and filing;

●        Drafting/editing amicus briefs and letters;

●        Managing and supervising the amicus work of less-experienced attorneys;

●        Participating as amicus in oral argument.

Additional Information:

RCFP offers a generous compensation package. For this full-time position, RCFP offers:

●        A competitive annual base salary based on experience, with 3 weeks paid time off in addition to most federal holidays.

●        A retirement savings plan, including a 5% employer match from date of hire.

●        Comprehensive employer paid insurance coverage, including medical, dental, and vision, life and disability.

●         Ability to use pre-tax dollars for dependent care and commuting expenses.

●         A collaborative and inclusive work environment.

Qualifications:

●        J.D. from accredited law school; must be admitted to practice law in at least one U.S. jurisdiction and admitted to practice or eligible for admission to practice in the District of Columbia at the start of employment;

●        Excellent written and oral communication skills;

●        Must have strong leadership skills and be able to simultaneously successfully develop and lead the amicus practice, and supervise the legal work of less-experienced attorneys;

●        Must have significant, demonstrated appellate experience, and experience successfully supervising less-experienced attorneys;

●        Good judgment and the highest level of professional ethics and integrity.

Application:

Interested applicants can view the posting here.