Description
Description:
The Knight First Amendment Institute defends the freedoms of speech and the press in the digital age through strategic litigation, research, and public education. Our aim is to promote a system of free expression that is open and inclusive, that broadens and elevates public discourse, and that fosters creativity, accountability, and effective self-government.
Since its establishment in 2016, the Institute has filed precedent-setting litigation, undertaken major interdisciplinary research initiatives, and become an influential voice in debates about the freedoms of speech and the press in the digital age. Its active litigation docket includes cutting-edge cases relating to transparency, surveillance, and social media. Through its research program, the Institute has published a series of influential essays focused on emerging threats to the system of free expression. It has also hosted public events on new technology and public discourse, data journalism and the law, the First Amendment and inequality, whistleblowers, leaks, and national-security journalism.
The Staff Attorney
Reporting to the Institute’s Litigation Director and Senior Staff Attorneys, the Staff Attorney will contribute to the Institute’s litigation program by, among other things, conceiving of and developing new cases, researching legal and factual questions, drafting research memos, working with clients and witnesses, drafting and editing legal briefs, and presenting oral argument. The Staff Attorney will also contribute to the Institute’s strategic planning, support the Institute’s research and public education programs, speak on behalf of the Institute to professional and academic audiences, and represent the Institute in the media. The Staff Attorney must have significant litigation experience, preferably in cases seeking to vindicate civil rights or civil liberties. The Staff Attorney must also have the judgment, energy, initiative, creativity, flexibility, and passion required to work effectively both individually and as part of a team.
The salary for this position will be between approximately $100,000 and $113,000, and is based on the number of years of litigation experience.
Responsibilities:
- Help conceive of and develop the Institute’s litigation docket, including by identifying cases and issues that warrant the Institute’s attention, researching legal and factual questions, drafting research memos, working with clients and witnesses, drafting legal papers, and presenting oral argument.
- Help set the Institute’s strategic direction, including by helping the Institute’s staff determine the Institute’s substantive priorities and design and implementing the Institute’s research and public education programs.
- Speak on behalf of the Institute to professional and academic audiences; write in a variety of formats (including in blog posts, op-eds, and white papers) for both legal and non-legal audiences about issues relating to the Institute’s work; and represent the Institute in the media.
- Supervise legal fellows and interns.
- Cultivate and manage relationships with the Institute’s partners inside and outside the Columbia University community.
- Travel as required for litigation, conferences, and speaking engagements.
- Performs related duties & responsibilities as assigned.
Qualifications:
Minimum Qualifications:
The Staff Attorney must have a J.D. or equivalent, be admitted to the New York bar (or be in a position to gain admission to the New York bar quickly), and have at least three years of relevant experience as a lawyer. (The responsibilities and expectations of the position are generally commensurate with three to seven years of legal practice.) Applicants should have excellent communication skills, both oral and written; excellent analytical skills; and the ability to work independently and collaboratively as well as to supervise other lawyers.
Preferred Qualifications:
Experience litigating cases involving the freedoms of speech and the press, government transparency, or new technology is preferred but not required.
Application:
Those interested can view the posting here.
Candidates must apply through Columbia University's Careers website here. The deadline for applications is August 23, 2020.
Required Materials:
- Cover letter explaining your interest in the position, including a description of any relevant life or work experience
- Resume
- Two writing samples
Additional information may be requested during the application process.
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