Legal Manager, Pro Bono Partnerships

Company Description

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

Job Description

ProJourn is a legal services program operated by the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press with the support of Microsoft, Davis Wright Tremaine and the Knight Foundation. 

ProJourn’s mission is to increase the supply of pro bono attorneys trained in pre-publication review and access to public records — two of the most critical editorial legal needs of journalists — and to meet the legal demands newsrooms face in an ever-changing news landscape, including business, 501(c)(3), and operations-related needs. ProJourn facilitates pro bono legal assistance to local and community-focused journalists, independent newsrooms, documentary filmmakers, and freelancers. 

Our services connect journalists and news organizations to pro bono legal support, providing intake, training, and support for a broad range of editorial and operational matters. The Legal Manager is the operational backbone of our program — a highly organized, mission-driven professional who combines deep familiarity with operating legal programs. 

The Legal Manager does not provide legal advice. Instead, this individual ensures that every person who contacts our organization receives a prompt, well-informed, and compassionate response — and that our program operates with precision and care. The ideal candidate brings hands-on experience from a legal services environment, a talent for juggling competing priorities in a fast paced and innovative working environment. 

Key Responsibilities 

Intake & Client Coordination 

• Serve as the primary support of the Projourn team for all incoming legal inquiries, including coordinating introductions and managing the legal database in a timely fashion. 
• Conduct initial eligibility screenings of news organizations and journalists. 
• Support the coordination of connecting clients with the appropriate law firms or in-house counsel, pro bono attorneys, law school clinics, and other community resources. 
• Regularly update the law firm directory, including tracking provider capacity and specializations, coordinate to develop tech infrastructure to innovate in this program area. 
• Follow up with clients and law firm and in-house counsel to confirm progress and collect feedback. 

Program & Data Support 

• Track and report key program metrics. 
• Assist with preparation of grant reports, board presentations, and funder communications. 
• Support outreach and community education efforts, including logistics for legal clinics and public events. 

Administrative & Office Management 

• Manage all aspects of case file administration, including opening, maintaining, and closing client intake records in the case management database. 
• Help coordinate and schedule key meetings, trainings, and clinics for the program’s extensive outreach work. 
• Oversee document management systems, ensuring confidentiality and compliance with data retention policies. 
• Process incoming and outgoing mail, including time-sensitive legal documents; maintain organized filing systems (physical and digital). 
• Collaborate with the RCFP data team to ensure consistency. 

Communications 

• Contribute content for ProJourn’s LinkedIn account, including drafting posts that highlight our work, events, and milestones while upholding principles of ethical storytelling, including the protection of confidential information. 
• Draft quarterly updates that communicate program progress, impact, and key developments in a clear, compelling, and responsible manner. 
• Assist in developing impact‑focused case studies that demonstrate outcomes for funders and supporters, using client‑centered storytelling practices that protect confidentiality. 
• Collaborate with the RCFP Communications team to ensure accuracy, consistency of messaging, and compliance with all confidentiality, privilege, and ethical standards. 

Team & Culture 

• Provide mentorship and day-to-day guidance to program staff and volunteers. 
• Participate actively in staff meetings, training sessions, and organizational planning processes. 
• Innovative mindset paired with the ability to operate efficiently in a fast-paced environment. 

Qualifications

Required 

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Minimum 5–7 years of progressively responsible experience in a legal environment, such as a law firm, legal aid organization, court, or corporate legal department. 
• Demonstrated proficiency in legal terminology, coordination and document handling. 
• Exceptional organizational skills with proven ability to manage high-volume workflows with accuracy and attention to detail. 
• Strong written and verbal communication skills; experience drafting professional correspondence and reports and presenting during board meetings or similar settings. 
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Teams, SharePoint, Excel, etc.). 
• Strong experience with CRM platform Salesforce and project management tool Monday.com. 
• Ability to handle and protect sensitive, confidential information with discretion and professionalism. 

Preferred 

• Experience in a nonprofit, legal services or law firm setting. 
• Familiarity with legal referral systems, civil legal aid networks, or pro bono coordination. 
• Bilingual (Spanish) or multilingual abilities are strongly encouraged. 
• Experience supporting grant reporting or compliance documentation. 
• Familiarity with media law. 

Additional information

How to apply: Submit a resume and cover letter in one PDF file. Only complete applications will advance in the hiring process. The deadline to apply is April 10, 2026. 

Candidates based in New York or Washington, DC preferred. Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States. 

Compensation: RCFP is committed to offering competitive pay and generous benefits, including group medical insurance, short- and long-term disability insurance, retirement benefits, health-reimbursement accounts, and paid family leave. The salary range for this position is $82,000.00 - $93,000.00.

Physical Demands: 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 an Equal Opportunity Employer. At the Reporters Committee, we celebrate the diversity of our employees and our leadership. RCFP is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status or any other characteristic protected by law.