Student Press Legal Associate 

This position will be based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, or Washington, D.C. FIRE operates on a hybrid work schedule that allows for a mix of in-the-office and remote work for eligible employees. Fully remote work will not be considered for this position. 

About FIRE  

The Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression’s mission is to defend and sustain the individual rights of all Americans to free speech and free thought — the most essential qualities of liberty. FIRE educates Americans about the importance of these inalienable rights, promotes a culture of respect for these rights, and provides the means to preserve them. 

Position Description

FIRE is seeking a motivated, self-starter, entry-level attorney who is eager to learn the ins and outs of our Student Press Freedom Initiative (SPFI) as our Student Press Legal Associate. With mentorship and support from senior attorneys, the Student Press Legal Associate will advocate on behalf of student journalists, including innovating and maintaining programs and resources that empower college journalists and their advisers to navigate complex legal issues and assert their rights. This role calls for a candidate who thrives in a fast-paced environment and is excited to pair their legal acumen with an entrepreneurial spirit to support the student press.

The Student Press Legal Associate will collaborate closely with FIRE’s Campus Rights Advocacy (CRA) team and work alongside FIRE’s Litigation, Policy Reform, and Legislative and Policy teams on student press-related litigation, campus policies, and legislative efforts. 

The duties for this position include but are not limited to:

• Coordinating outreach to and cultivating relationships with college journalists, their publications, their advisors, and other student press stakeholders.
• Reviewing, responding to, and managing individual case submissions from students journalists and their advisers.
• Recommending and executing an advocacy plan for student press cases, including implementing creative advocacy options.
• Authoring and reviewing advocacy materials, such as letters to universities, blogs, tweets, and statements to reporters.
• Authoring, filing, and tracking freedom of information act requests as necessary for evaluating cases.
• Identifying candidates for litigation in coordination with FIRE’s CRA and Litigation departments.
• Responding to requests to SPFI’s 24-hour hotline, including after-hours emergency requests.
• Creating and implementing training programs for student journalists.
• Coordinating across departments at FIRE to provide resources to student journalists, media outlets, and their advisors.
• Attending and helping to manage FIRE’s sponsorship at student media conferences.
• Innovating new resources to meet the legal needs of student journalists.
• Ensuring regular editing and maintenance of FIRE’s proprietary student press resources, such as the Can I Publish This? website.
• Researching current legal issues facing the student press.
• Collaborating in support of all aspects of FIRE’s mission.

This position involves a moderate amount of travel. Occasional work on weekends and evenings should be expected. The Student Press Legal Associate works on SPFI’s 24/7 hotline, which involves answering calls outside of normal business hours. Infrequent late night and weekend calls are expected.

The expected start date for this position is as soon as possible.

Qualifications

The ideal candidate will have 1-2 years of post-law school First Amendment and media law experience, though we welcome applications from recent law school graduates with strong credentials. Most importantly, a successful candidate must demonstrate a knowledge and passion for FIRE’s mission and an ability to articulate that passion in a way that will make others enthusiastic about our cause. A candidate must also be able to demonstrate:

• A strong foundation in First Amendment and/or media law, including proficiency in free speech principles, defamation, intellectual property, freedom of information, and privacy torts.
• Familiarity with general principles underlying university conduct codes and administrative structure of universities.
• Ability to understand current trends in student press, including organizational structure, common legal issues, and principles preferred.
• Proven ability to quickly problem-solve and make decisions with minimal oversight.
• Strong research, writing, and public speaking skills.
• Strong attention to detail and organizational skills.
• Exceptional conscientiousness.
• Exceptional interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work under tight deadlines, prioritize work and manage multiple projects.

Grit, charisma, empathy, and a sense of humor are pluses.

Candidates must have a J.D. from an ABA-accredited law school. Candidates that possess a J.D. and are not already a member of the Pennsylvania or D.C. bar must be willing to obtain licensure in Pennsylvania or D.C.  

Salary and Compensation:

Starting salary is negotiable and depends on experience and education level. FIRE conducts periodic evaluations where employees may receive raises or bonuses for outstanding and excellent work. FIRE also offers a comprehensive benefits package that 100% employer paid- medical, dental, and vision insurance premiums for our employees; a Section 125 Flexible Spending Account option; matching retirement contributions; and a generous paid time-off plan.

Applications:

Applicants should provide a resume, cover letter, a writing legal sample (such as a demand letter, memorandum, or brief), salary requirements, and contact information for at least two professional references. All applications are confidential. Please address applications to Cait Scanlan, Chief People Officer.

FIRE is an equal opportunity employer.