About the role#
The Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press hosts legal fellows at our Washington, D.C. office each year. These fellowships offer early-career lawyers the chance to work on First Amendment and media law cases. Fellows join small litigation teams to support our staff attorneys. We offer several fellowship tracks, including the Jack Nelson-Dow Jones Foundation Legal Fellowship, the Media Law Fellowship, and the E.W. Scripps Legal Fellowship.
What you'll do#
- Monitor significant developments in media law.
- Assist staff attorneys with legal defense requests from reporters.
- Prepare legal memoranda, litigation materials, and amicus briefs.
- Write content for our website and other publications.
- Participate in all aspects of trial and appellate court litigation, including motion practice, discovery, and hearing preparation.
- Handle special projects as assigned.
What you'll need#
- A J.D. from an accredited law school.
- Admission to practice law in at least one U.S. jurisdiction or current status awaiting bar exam results.
- Excellent written and oral communication skills.
- Good judgment and the highest level of professional integrity.
- A demonstrated interest in the First Amendment and media law is preferred.
Location & details#
- This is a full-time, paid position based on-site in Washington, D.C.
- Applications are accepted on a rolling basis.
- We do not provide visa sponsorship for these roles.
About Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press
The Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press is a nonprofit organization founded in 1970. Based in Washington, DC, it provides legal services to journalists and news organizations throughout the United States. Its attorneys offer representation and resources to protect First Amendment freedoms and newsgathering rights. The organization serves a variety of media professionals including documentary filmmakers, broadcast journalists, and independent freelancers.
How to get in at Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press
Securing an internship at the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press requires timing your application to ensure your materials are reviewed before the applicant pool grows. Intern Insider sends an instant alert the moment a role matching your target is published anywhere, helping you apply among the first. This early visibility is often the difference between being seen and getting lost in the pile. You can also improve your response rates by reaching out to the recruiters behind the company roles directly to ask about the position or a referral. Intern Insider surfaces these specific contacts, allowing you to bypass the standard queue and connect with the people actually managing the hiring process.


