Legal Fellow

Company: First Amendment Coalition
Location: San Rafael
Posted on: March 27, 2020

Job Description:

FIRST AMENDMENT COALITIONPosition: Legal FellowThe First Amendment Coalition (FAC), an award-winning, non-partisan, non-profit organization dedicated to protecting the First Amendment and the public's right to know, is looking for a practicing lawyer or a recent law school graduate to serve for one year as a Legal Fellow, with the possibility of renewal for a second year.--We are seeking a highly motivated lawyer with excellent credentials and familiarity with the relevant areas of law.--The Legal Fellow will work with FAC's Executive Director and FAC's Litigation Director to expand FAC's ability to provide expert legal assistance to working journalists and other individuals and to amplify the impact of FAC's litigation program at both the trial and appellate levels. FAC's legal work is focused on enhancing public access to federal, state and local government records and proceedings and protecting the First Amendment rights of free speech and press.--FAC also works to provide legal assistance to journalists served with subpoenas for their confidential sources and notes.Description:Duties and Responsibilities:Researching, drafting, submitting, and following up on requests for government records under the California Public Records Act and the federal Freedom of Information Act;Identifying, formulating and helping to bring cases in state and federal courts seeking access to government meetings and records, as well as to court proceedings and records;Organizing, researching and drafting amicus briefs, and screening amicus briefs that FAC is asked to join; Helping locate and then assisting pro bono counsel to represent subpoenaed journalists;Other tasks to support FAC's legal work.Candidates should possess:Be a law school graduate with excellent academic credentials.----Be familiar with First Amendment law and/or FOIA and other access laws.-- A background in journalism is a plus.Be a self-starter and detail-oriented, with the ability to work collegially and collaboratively on a small staff.--Have strong research, analytical and legal writing skills.Be able to work in part in FAC's offices in the San Francisco Bay Area with flexibility for limited remote work.It is preferred that the Legal Fellow have one or more years of legal experience working in the relevant legal areas, in a judicial clerkship, law firm, or non-profit organization. California bar membership is required, though FAC will consider recent graduates who have applied for membership to the California bar or attorneys licensed elsewhere who are willing to apply for California bar membership.Salary:Competitive with similar positions in California non-profits.--Includes health benefits and eligibility for FAC's 403(b) retirement plan.How to apply:Applicants should email a resume and cover letter outlining their suitability for the job to legalfellow@firstamendmentcoalition.org.----Applicants are encouraged to submit materials as soon as possible; applications are preferred by April 15.--No calls, please.

Keywords: First Amendment Coalition, San Rafael , Legal Fellow, Legal , San Rafael, California