Legal Reporter

Job description

Job Overview Democracy Docket is seeking a Legal Reporter to bolster and deepen our coverage of election litigation — our single most important coverage area. The ideal candidate will be an experienced legal reporter with a strong grasp of both the nuts and bolts of covering the courts and of the legal and news landscape on voting rights issues. They’ll be confident in going beyond follow-the-pack coverage to produce original, timely stories that dig deeper into key elections cases. They’ll be adept at spotting a noteworthy argument or revealing detail in a new court ruling or legal filing, quickly and clearly explaining why it matters for access to the ballot, and giving it a compelling and newsworthy framing. And, working with our Research team and Senior Legal Editor, they’ll be skilled at identifying key trends across the election litigation landscape. Finally, they’ll be excited about our newsroom’s commitment to mission-driven, pro-democracy journalism that doesn’t flinch from calling out powerful anti-democratic actors. This role reports to the Senior Legal Editor. Key Responsibilities Pitch and write stories across a range of formats — breaking news, quick-turns, Day 2 analyses, explainers, deeper-dives — that deepen readers’ understanding of the legal battles over voting rights. Comb through court filings to find stories and angles, paying especially close attention to the arguments and strategies of anti-voting actors, including the DOJ. Work with our Research team to closely track elections cases and to develop a detailed, nuanced understanding of the most important ones. Work collaboratively with editors, especially the Senior Legal Editor, to brainstorm ideas, plan coverage, test assumptions, etc. Develop a network of sources — voting rights advocates, election law experts, election administrators, etc. — to inform and enrich coverage of ongoing cases. Work with Democracy Docket’s Social, Video and Product teams to help produce additional content — social posts, video, newsletters, member emails, etc. Appear on external podcasts, TV/radio shows, etc. to promote reporting and explain election cases. Possible travel for on-the-ground coverage of elections disputes and/or court proceedings, especially around the post-election period. Required Qualifications Deep experience covering political and policy issues in the courts, with a proven track record of producing authoritative reporting and unique, original angles. Demonstrated ability to break news is a major plus. Proven track record of breaking legal news and/or producing stories with unique, original angles. Strong grasp of legal procedure and of key concepts in election law. Ability to write clearly and concisely on a tight deadline. Instinct for finding the story others miss, including by highlighting revealing details hidden in filings. Willingness to juggle multiple projects, to adjust plans in response to breaking news, and to pitch in as part of a team. Strong grasp of national politics and policy, and of the political dimensions of the legal fights over voting rights. Concern about the dangers U.S. democracy currently faces, and an eagerness to contribute to the fight to protect and strengthen it. Work Environment This is a full-time role based out of our Washington, D.C. or Jersey City office. Our core business hours are 9am-6pm, and we currently operate on a hybrid schedule, with remote work on Mondays and Fridays and in-office days on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays. This position will require being comfortable adapting to fast-paced workflows and being responsive to urgent editorial needs, including outside of normal business hours. REQUIRED: To apply, please complete the application and submit a resume, cover letter , and short memo listing at least three published stories under your byline. Why You’ll Love Working Here At Democracy Docket, we believe great work starts with people who feel supported, valued, and able to thrive. We’re a collaborative, mission-driven team that values transparency, care for one another, and doing work that truly matters. We offer a competitive and people-first benefits package designed to support your health, financial security, and life outside of work: Merit-based annual bonus eligibility 100% employer-paid medical, dental, and vision premiums for employees 401(k) with 6% company match , available after 3 months Commuter benefits to help with your daily travel Generous paid time off , including: 18 days of PTO per year (increasing with tenure) 10 paid Health & Wellness days annually 2 paid personal days annually 11 paid holidays , observed per company policy We’re committed to creating a workplace where you can do meaningful, impactful work - without sacrificing your well-being. Salary Range: $ 90,000-105,000 Democracy Docket is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment for all employees. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable laws. About Democracy Docket Democracy Docket is the leading pro-democracy, independent digital media platform dedicated to voting rights and elections in courtrooms and across the country. Founded in 2020 by Democratic voting rights attorney Marc Elias, we are an unapologetic newsroom that doesn't pull punches — using fact-based reporting to shed light on what's happening in the courts and hold those in power accountable. With a comprehensive database of over 1,000 cases, Democracy Docket is the go-to source for tracking and understanding election and voting litigation — providing breaking news and in-depth analysis on voting rights and election litigation and policy that will shape our elections and democratic institutions for years to come. We reach over 450,000 newsletter subscribers through free daily and weekly newsletters, offer a premium membership with exclusive content, and have built a social media following of more than 1 million across our channels — including 600,000+ YouTube subscribers.