Legal Researcher
Jerry
LLI Attorney
Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press
full-time
Posted on:
Location Type: Remote
Location: Remote • Louisiana, Mississippi • 🇺🇸 United States
Visit company websiteSalary
💰 $117,300 - $130,500 per year
Job Level
Mid-LevelSenior
About the role
- Representing Mississippi 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 Mississippi 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 Mississippi
- Educating Mississippi 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 Mississippi and working with RCFP communications staff to provide comment to local journalists and news organizations for publication
- Working collaboratively with stakeholders in Mississippi and internally at RCFP to promote the LLI
- 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.
Requirements
- Admitted to practice law in Mississippi or eligible for admission to practice law in Mississippi
- 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.
Benefits
- group medical insurance
- short- and long-term disability insurance
- retirement benefits
- health-reimbursement accounts
- paid family leave
Applicant Tracking System Keywords
Tip: use these terms in your resume and cover letter to boost ATS matches.
Hard skills
litigationlegal researchdrafting correspondencedrafting pleadingsdrafting briefsdrafting amicus briefsnegotiationcase strategy formulationadvising on media lawnewsgathering rights
Soft skills
self-directedleadershipmanagementcollaborationpublic speakingoral communicationwritten communicationgood judgmentprofessional integrity
Certifications
admitted to practice law in Mississippi
