Legal Affairs Correspondent

The New York Times National Desk creates journalism that is revelatory and impactful, that is rooted in on-the-ground reporting and that deepens our understanding of America. Readers — both existing and future — are central to how we pick and write stories. We seek a wide variety of perspectives from different racial and ethnic backgrounds that reflect communities across the country, and we’re always learning from those we encounter. We dig deeply and hold leaders accountable. Collaboration is a key to our journalism, both within The Times and with local news outlets. We write with authority and intelligence, but we’re also conversational. We realize the power of visual journalism and are innovative in new ways to tell stories.

Some of America’s most contentious debates are playing out in its courtrooms and we’re seeking an experienced legal affairs correspondent to travel the country to bring attention to our nation’s judiciary, particularly the federal courts and their impact on our politics and our lives. Legal disputes combine intellectual argument with high-stakes human conflict and we’re eager to unleash a dogged reporter to help readers better understand the inner workings of our court system.

The beat would include our nation’s judges, from those presiding over contentious local disputes to federal appeals court judges who usually remain anonymous to the public unless they are nominated to the Supreme Court. The dispute over the documents seized from former President Trump’s Florida residence is but one recent example of the outsized role federal judges play in the biggest stories of the day, with Judge Aileen M. Cannon of the Southern District of Florida recently overruling the special master in the case, Judge Raymond J. Dearie of the Eastern District of New York. The beat would include the legal battles now playing out in the states on matters as varied as abortion, immigration and affirmative action.

The successful applicant would have a love of history as our laws are still modeled on 18th century British laws and are falling behind, in the eyes of some, to the legal codes of other countries. Also necessary is someone adept at turning complex matters into compelling narratives, experienced at developing sources in order to remain ahead of the competition and collaborative in working with colleagues in Washington, across the country, and in our visual departments in New York.

Basic Qualifications:

5+ years’ experience a journalism or media company or other relevant organization.

Experience working in high-pressure, deadline-driven newsrooms -- including coverage, workflow, as a reporter.

Strong reporting and writing skills that demonstrate mastery of journalistic style and standards, including ethical and superb news judgment.

Preferred Qualifications:

Knowledge of United States legal systems, processes and key figures, either through personal or professional experience, is preferred but not required.

Well sourced with the American Bar Association and the Federalist Society, both of which play a role in assessing the credentials of judicial nominees.

Formal legal training, such as a JD degree, is a plus, but not required.

Belief in The New York Times’ mission and values and a dedication to being a part of our innovation and growth.

Application Instructions:

Applicants should submit a resume, examples of 5-7 clips with a short description and a memo not exceeding one page outlining their vision for the beat, including where they would most effectively report this beat from and why.

This position is represented by the NewsGuild of NY.

The annual base pay range for this role is between $115,506.56 and $170,000.00.