Legal Journalist Jobs (NOW HIRING)

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 Legal Coordinator, Pre-Publication Review & Journalist Support is a new role designed to assist the expanding work of Reporters Committee’s legal programming team. This position will support the operational systems that makes our work possible by tracking the currency of our legal resources, coordinating journalist and newsroom legal trainings, and expanding outreach to ensure that journalists who need legal support know where to find it.

The Legal Coordinator will report directly to the Director of Pre-Publication Review & Journalist Support.  The Legal Coordinator will not provide legal advice. Instead, this individual will ensure that the infrastructure behind our legal programming is organized, current, and responsive, thus allowing attorneys and program staff to focus more on substantive legal work and strategic development. The ideal candidate is highly organized, mission-driven, and comfortable managing multiple workstreams in a fast-paced environment.

Reporters Committee is based in Washington, D.C. Applicants based in the Washington, D.C.-metropolitan area or East Coast time zone are strongly preferred but stellar remote applicants will be considered. Starting salary, based on experience, will range from $63,500–$69,300.

Key Responsibilities 

Legal Guides & Publications

• Track updates and revisions to Reporters Committee’s legal guides, including monitoring deadlines, flagging outdated materials, and coordinating with guide authors to ensure timely completion.
• Identify and onboard new guide authors and subject-matter contributors for legal guides and other publications.
• Maintain internal tracking systems for guide updates and ensure that published resources reflect current law.
• Provide logistical and administrative support for the publication workflow, including follow-up on outstanding contributions and revisions.

Journalist Training & Outreach

• Coordinate and schedule legal trainings for journalists, newsrooms, and partner organizations, including logistics for events, webinars, and clinics.
• Support outreach to new journalists, news organizations, and partners to increase awareness of and use of Reporters Committee’s legal hotline and other resources.
• Maintain tracking systems for training requests and outreach pipelines, and ensure timely follow-up on ongoing commitments.
• Assist with developing and distributing communications materials that highlight training opportunities and legal resources available to journalists.

Program & Administrative Support

• Maintain internal tracking systems across legal programming areas, including training requests, hotline follow-up, pre-publication review, and outreach pipelines.
• Help ensure timely follow-up on ongoing requests and commitments across legal programming.
• Collaborate with the Reporters Committee’s communications and data teams to ensure consistency and accuracy in program-related information.
• Participate in staff meetings, training sessions, and organizational planning processes.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Minimum 2 years of experience in a legal, nonprofit, or professional services environment.
• Exceptional organizational skills with proven ability to manage multiple workstreams, track deadlines, and follow through on commitments.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills; experience drafting professional correspondence and coordinating with external stakeholders.
• Ability to handle sensitive information with discretion and professionalism.
• Genuine commitment to press freedom and the mission of Reporters Committee.

Preferred

• Experience in journalism or media law.
• Familiarity with media law, press freedom issues, or newsgathering rights.
• Experience supporting legal programming, legal clinics, or CLE-style training events.
• Experience with CRM or project management platforms (e.g., Salesforce, Monday.com, or similar tools).

How to apply: Please submit a resume and cover letter explaining your interest in the position by the priority deadline of August 14, 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.

Compensation and Benefits: Salary range, based on experience, is $63,500 - $69,300. Our generous benefit package should also be considered. For all regular full-time positions, the Reporters Committee offers:

• A competitive base salary with 3 weeks paid time off, 4 annual floating days, and all Federal holidays;
• A retirement savings plan, including a 5% employer contribution after 3 months of service;
• Comprehensive employer paid insurance coverage, including medical, dental, vision, life and accidental death, and disability;
• Ability to use pre-tax dollars for dependent care and commuting expenses.

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.

Please note: the Reporters Committee does not sponsor work visas. All applicants must be 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.