NPR

Legal Fellow – Ishiyama Transparency in Government

NPR

full-time

Posted on:

Location Type: Hybrid

Location: Washington, D.C. • District of Columbia • Washington • United States

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Salary

💰 $41 per hour

About the role

  • Work with NPR journalists to request access to records under the federal Freedom of Information Act and state public records laws;
  • Work with NPR staff attorneys and outside counsel to prepare appeals from inappropriate denials of such requests;
  • Track federal FOIA and state public records requests and appeals across the NPR newsroom and the newsrooms of NPR Member stations engaged with NPR in collaborative reporting projects;
  • Work with NPR staff attorneys and outside counsel to pursue FOIA, state public records act, and court-access litigation, and, time permitting, to defend content-related lawsuits against NPR and NPR journalists;
  • Conduct legal research and advise NPR legal colleagues and reporters on FOIA, state public records act, court-access, and other media law issues;
  • Prepare memoranda, presentations, and other materials for internal and external audiences
  • Prepare training materials and work with staff lawyers and newsroom leaders to train journalists in the effective use of FOIA and state public records laws.

Requirements

  • Outstanding academic credentials, including a Juris Doctor from an ABA-accredited law school earned by June 2026.
  • Bar membership in good standing in the District of Columbia, or eligibility to waive into the DC bar, by January 2027.
  • Demonstrated interest in, and knowledge of, the federal Freedom of Information Act, state public records laws, court-access law, and media law, generally.
  • Superb verbal and written communications skills, high ethical and professional standards, a commitment to journalism, and good judgment.
  • Strong organizational skills and ability to manage multiple projects, to set and adjust priorities, and to work under pressure.
Benefits
  • access to health and wellness
  • paid time off
  • financial well-being
  • medical, dental, vision, life/ accidental death and dismemberment, long-term disability, short-term disability, and voluntary retirement savings
Applicant Tracking System Keywords

Tip: use these terms in your resume and cover letter to boost ATS matches.

Hard Skills & Tools
legal researchFOIAstate public records lawscourt-access lawmedia law
Soft Skills
verbal communicationwritten communicationorganizational skillsjudgmentprofessional standards
Certifications
Juris DoctorBar membership