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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 (Reporters Committee) is hiring a Michigan Local Legal Initiative (LLI) Attorney.  The Local Legal Initiative was launched by the Reporters Committee in 2020 to provide pro bono legal support to journalists and news outlets engaged in local enterprise and investigative journalism in their states.  The Michigan LLI Attorney will advise and represent news organizations and individual journalists in Michigan in impact and defense matters involving access to judicial records/proceedings, freedom of information, and other newsgathering and First Amendment issues.  The Michigan LLI attorney also will contribute to the Reporters Committee’s amicus and pre-publication/vetting practices for matters within Michigan; facilitate and conduct trainings for journalists and news organizations in their state; and work with stakeholders across Michigan to, among other things, increase the visibility of the LLI.  This full-time position reports to the Director of the Local Legal Initiative.

The Michigan LLI Attorney must be based in Michigan; the Detroit, Lansing and Grand Rapids metropolitan areas are preferred.  Some travel throughout Michigan and to the Reporters Committee’s office in Washington, D.C. is required. 

Key Responsibilities Include:

• Representing Michigan 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; and appearing on behalf of the clients in state and federal court;
• Providing counsel to Michigan journalists on legal issues related to newsgathering, access to information, libel, and privacy;
• Drafting amicus briefs and—depending on the seniority level and experience of the attorney—supervising the drafting and work of more junior RCFP attorneys on amicus briefs in cases presenting important newsgathering and First Amendment issues in Michigan;
• Educating Michigan journalists about First Amendment and newsgathering rights, including by conducting trainings for journalists and news organizations on media law topics;
• Responding to hotline inquiries from journalists in Michigan and working with RCFP communications staff to provide comment to local journalists and news organizations for publication;
• Working collaboratively with stakeholders in Michigan and internally at RCFP to promote the LLI and its strategic goals;
• Depending on the seniority level and experience of the attorney, working with the Vice President of Legal Programs and the Director of the Local Legal Initiative to provide guidance, supervision, and performance feedback to legal fellows and staff attorneys.

• Admitted to practice law in Michigan or eligible for admission to practice law in Michigan;
• 3+ to 10+ years of litigation and advising experience, with significant to substantial experience representing journalists and other media clients in matters involving newsgathering, access to public records, and other media law and First Amendment issues;
• Self-directed with the ability to handle independently all aspects of litigation, including drafting papers, formulating strategy, and negotiating with opposing parties;
• Strong leadership skills with the ability to successfully manage—or demonstrated experience successfully managing—litigation matters and the work of less-experienced attorneys;
• Outstanding legal research skills, and excellent written communication skills; 
• Excellent public speaking and oral communication skills, with the ability to work collaboratively and effectively with a broad range of clients and stakeholders;
• Good 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 $117,300 to $130,500.

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. The role will remain open until filled.

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.