New York City Bar Association
Staff Attorney, Lawyers for Reporters
New York City Bar Association, New York, New York, United States, 10001
Staff Attorney, Lawyers for Reporters
The Cyrus R. Vance Center for International Justice advances global justice by engaging lawyers across borders to support civil society and an ethically active legal profession. The Vance Center is a unique collaboration of in-house and private practice lawyers catalyzing public interest innovation to advance human rights and access to justice, protect the natural environment, promote the rule of law and institutional integrity, and support reporting in the public interest. A non-profit program of the New York City Bar Association, we bring together leading law firms and other partners worldwide to pioneer domestic and international justice initiatives and provide pro bono legal representation to social justice NGOs. The Vance Center launched Lawyers for Reporters in March 2020 to provide pro bono legal representation to independent local and subject-specific news outlets, public interest reporting organizations, and journalism support organizations in the United States. Since its launch, it has represented more than 350 clients in 41 states and the District of Columbia. The Staff Attorney, reporting to the Managing Attorney, will collaborate with a team of five professionals in the legal practice of the program in all areas: intake of new clients; determination of legal needs; communication with clients and law firms providing pro bono co-counseling; coordination with law firms regarding legal services provided; provision of legal advice and representation; and support of fundraising for the program from foundations, law firms, and individuals, in coordination with fundraising staff. We seek a Staff Attorney with some demonstrable experience in media and/or First Amendment law, and the successful candidate will have the opportunity to develop expertise in a broad range of other legal areas affecting news and public interest media organizations and to assume primary responsibility for client matters in these areas. Qualifications, Skills and Requirements
Law degree from a U.S. law school, with additional education or specialization in media law and/or journalism a plus. Admission to practice law in any state. Minimum of 3 years of legal practice in a U.S. law firm or other organization representing clients, with at least 1 year of experience in media and/or First Amendment law. The ability to work independently, present well in writing and orally, manage multiple short and long-term tasks simultaneously, and report, with the Managing Attorney, to an advisory committee. Authorization to work in the United States. Additional Experience Preferred
Experience and/or general knowledge of professional journalism and/or start-up businesses. Experience with pro bono practice and general knowledge of the U.S. legal market, including pro bono legal services. Ability to develop and/or work with professional networks and/or other forms of collaboration. Experience with nonprofit management, including governance and compliance. Candidates for this position must be available for in-person work at our Midtown Manhattan office on a hybrid schedule. The schedule requires 3 days of scheduled in-office work per week, with the balance of time being work-from-home. The hybrid schedule is subject to review and revision based on departmental needs. The annualized salary for this role is in the range of $100,000 to $110,000. We provide a competitive benefits package including generous paid time off (vacation, personal, sick time, holidays including closing between Christmas and New Year's day this year, day off for volunteer work, extra time off in summer), choice of medical plans, dental, vision, 401K, life insurance, commuter benefits program, Employee Assistance Program, short-term/long-term disability insurance, employee discounts, and more!
The Cyrus R. Vance Center for International Justice advances global justice by engaging lawyers across borders to support civil society and an ethically active legal profession. The Vance Center is a unique collaboration of in-house and private practice lawyers catalyzing public interest innovation to advance human rights and access to justice, protect the natural environment, promote the rule of law and institutional integrity, and support reporting in the public interest. A non-profit program of the New York City Bar Association, we bring together leading law firms and other partners worldwide to pioneer domestic and international justice initiatives and provide pro bono legal representation to social justice NGOs. The Vance Center launched Lawyers for Reporters in March 2020 to provide pro bono legal representation to independent local and subject-specific news outlets, public interest reporting organizations, and journalism support organizations in the United States. Since its launch, it has represented more than 350 clients in 41 states and the District of Columbia. The Staff Attorney, reporting to the Managing Attorney, will collaborate with a team of five professionals in the legal practice of the program in all areas: intake of new clients; determination of legal needs; communication with clients and law firms providing pro bono co-counseling; coordination with law firms regarding legal services provided; provision of legal advice and representation; and support of fundraising for the program from foundations, law firms, and individuals, in coordination with fundraising staff. We seek a Staff Attorney with some demonstrable experience in media and/or First Amendment law, and the successful candidate will have the opportunity to develop expertise in a broad range of other legal areas affecting news and public interest media organizations and to assume primary responsibility for client matters in these areas. Qualifications, Skills and Requirements
Law degree from a U.S. law school, with additional education or specialization in media law and/or journalism a plus. Admission to practice law in any state. Minimum of 3 years of legal practice in a U.S. law firm or other organization representing clients, with at least 1 year of experience in media and/or First Amendment law. The ability to work independently, present well in writing and orally, manage multiple short and long-term tasks simultaneously, and report, with the Managing Attorney, to an advisory committee. Authorization to work in the United States. Additional Experience Preferred
Experience and/or general knowledge of professional journalism and/or start-up businesses. Experience with pro bono practice and general knowledge of the U.S. legal market, including pro bono legal services. Ability to develop and/or work with professional networks and/or other forms of collaboration. Experience with nonprofit management, including governance and compliance. Candidates for this position must be available for in-person work at our Midtown Manhattan office on a hybrid schedule. The schedule requires 3 days of scheduled in-office work per week, with the balance of time being work-from-home. The hybrid schedule is subject to review and revision based on departmental needs. The annualized salary for this role is in the range of $100,000 to $110,000. We provide a competitive benefits package including generous paid time off (vacation, personal, sick time, holidays including closing between Christmas and New Year's day this year, day off for volunteer work, extra time off in summer), choice of medical plans, dental, vision, 401K, life insurance, commuter benefits program, Employee Assistance Program, short-term/long-term disability insurance, employee discounts, and more!