Litigation Paralegal

Established in 1970, the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press provides pro bono legal representation, amicus curiae support, and other legal resources to protect First Amendment freedoms and the newsgathering rights of journalists. RCFP serves news organizations, reporters, editors, documentary filmmakers, media lawyers, and many more who use its online resources.

The Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press (Reporters Committee) is hiring a paralegal to support the Reporters Committee’s litigation and other legal programming, including its Local Legal Initiative (LLI). The paralegal will be a key member of the Reporters Committee’s legal team, working hand-in-hand with the Reporters Committee’s Senior Paralegal and its attorneys in Washington, D.C., Colorado, Indiana, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, and elsewhere, to provide pro bono legal services to news organizations and individual journalists. This position reports to the Vice President of Legal Programs.

The Reporters Committee is based in Washington, D.C.  Starting salary, based on experience, will range from $70,400 - $77,000 for a paralegal based in Washington, D.C.      

Applications will be considered on a rolling basis until July 31, 2025. 

Key Responsibilities Include:

• Maintaining and managing RCFP’s internal legal document system and e-discovery platform; organizing, maintaining, and updating case and client information in internal systems as needed;
• Assisting RCFP attorneys with the preparation and service of correspondence, court filings, briefs, and other legal documents; liaising with court clerks’ offices as needed;
• Formatting documents to ensure compliance with applicable court rules;
• Cite-checking and proofreading briefs prior to filing;
• Preparing and submitting hard copies of court filings;
• Assisting RCFP attorneys with successful case management.

• 3+ years of paralegal experience;
• Able to work collaboratively under pressure and manage multiple projects/deadlines;
• Detail-oriented, highly organized, and able to multitask and work independently to meet deadlines;
• Excellent proofreading/cite-checking and written and oral communication skills;
• Demonstrated proficiency with The Bluebook;
• Familiarity with Westlaw or other legal research services;
• Good judgment and the highest level of professional integrity. 

Compensation and Benefits

Starting salary, based on experience, will range from $70,400 - $77,000 for a paralegal based in Washington, D.C.  Our generous benefit package also should be considered. For all regular, full-time positions, RCFP 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, and vision, life and accidental death, and disability;
• Ability to use pre-tax dollars for dependent care and commuting expenses. 

To Apply

Interested candidates should submit a cover letter, resume, and contact information for three references through SmartRecruiters. Please submit materials in one PDF or Word file. Incomplete applications will not be considered. Applications will be considered on a rolling basis until July 31, 2025. Please note: the Reporters Committee does not sponsor work visas or cover relocation costs. All applicants must be authorized to work in the United States.

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.

RCFP is committed to the principle of equal employment opportunity for all employees and to providing employees with a work environment free of discrimination and harassment. All employment decisions at RCFP are based on business needs, job requirements and individual qualifications, without regard to race, ethnicity, age, religion or belief, family or parental status, or any other status protected by the laws or regulations in the locations where we operate. RCFP will not tolerate discrimination or harassment based on any of these characteristics.