Staff Attorney/Senior Staff Attorney – National Litigation

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.

The Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press is hiring a staff attorney or senior staff attorney to join its National Litigation program. This attorney will be responsible for designing and executing strategic litigation, providing rapid legal responses to threats against press freedom, and bolstering the newsgathering rights of journalists across the United States. The attorney’s primary focus will be providing direct representation to journalists and newsrooms, but they will also have the opportunity to participate in other Reporters Committee programs and advocacy efforts. 

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

Starting salary, based on experience, will range from $128,800 - $153,100. The priority deadline to apply is September 25.

Key Responsibilities Include:

• Representing journalists and news organizations in litigation involving access to judicial records/proceedings, freedom of information requests, Administrative Procedure Act claims, Section 1983 cases, and other newsgathering and First Amendment matters. This includes, among other things: intake/case selection; drafting correspondence, administrative appeals, pleadings, briefs, and other filings in trial and appellate courts; negotiating with opposing counsel; conducting discovery; and appearing on behalf of clients in state and federal courts;
• Developing and pursuing impact litigation in federal and state court to address emerging and systemic issues affecting reporters and newsrooms;
• Supervising legal fellows and interns at the Reporters Committee on pre-litigation and litigation matters, working with co-counsel and law school clinics, and, depending on experience level, supervising the work of more junior Reporters Committee attorneys;
• Working with the policy and amicus teams at the Reporters Committee on a wide variety of issues affecting the news media, including drafting amicus briefs, administrative comments, and advocacy letters; 
• Educating journalists about First Amendment and newsgathering rights, including by conducting trainings for journalists and news organizations on media law topics;

• Admitted to practice law in Washington, D.C. or eligible for admission to practice law in Washington, D.C.;
• A minimum of eight years of experience litigating cases in state and federal court. Substantial experience with media law matters is preferred. Judicial clerkships may qualify for up to two years of experience;
• A passion for protecting press freedom and a strong desire to support the work of journalists across the country;
• Outstanding legal research skills, and excellent written and oral communication skills;  
• Strong leadership skills with the ability to supervise—or demonstrated experience successfully managing—the work of less-experienced attorneys;
• Excellent public speaking and oral communication skills, with the ability to work collaboratively and effectively with a broad range of clients and stakeholders;
• Sound judgment and the highest level of professional integrity.

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 $128,800 - $153,100.

How to apply: Please submit a resume and cover letter explaining your interest in the position by the priority deadline of September 25, 2026. Please submit materials in one PDF or Word file. Applications received after the priority deadline will be reviewed on a rolling basis. Incomplete applications will not be reviewed.

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.