Local Journalism Fellow - Cornell Law School Job at Zymtronix Catalytic Systems

Local Journalism Fellow - Cornell Law School

About Us:

Cornell Law School, established in 1887, offers a 3-year JD program, a one-year LLM program, and a JSD program. The faculty includes tenured and tenure-track professors and clinical faculty across research, writing programs, and clinics. The school emphasizes a balance of theory, doctrine, and experiential teaching to prepare graduates for excellence in the legal profession.

The Local Journalism Project is a special initiative within the Cornell Law School First Amendment Clinic. It provides pro bono legal services to local media outlets and journalists, with emphasis in New York, Pennsylvania, and Vermont. The project also teaches law students litigation skills deployed on behalf of local journalism clients.

Position Overview

The Local Journalism Fellow reports to the Associate Director of the Clinic and the Managing Attorney of the Local Journalism Project. Working with the Clinic’s legal staff and students, the Fellow will provide legal support to the project’s active litigation docket. The Clinic pursues two core objectives: (1) litigating and supporting cases that aid journalists and media outlets in their news-gathering functions; (2) educating and preparing lawyers in First Amendment and press principles to defend such principles.

Responsibilities

• Supervise Clinic students, including feedback, mentoring, and training.
• Manage ongoing cases staffed with students or handled by staff, ensuring timely and professional work.
• Provide counseling and legal support to clients on non-litigation matters (pre-publication review, newsgathering, access and public records, and operational/advice).
• Assist with organization and teaching of the Clinic, focusing on First Amendment doctrine, litigation processes, legal writing, advocacy, and client relations.
• Help organize and participate in each semester’s First Amendment Bootcamp.
• Help shape case focus to support, protect, and defend clients’ ability to gather and publish news.
• Assist with hiring and supervising interns for the Clinic’s summer program.
• Collaborate with Clinic staff on programming related to press issues for the Law School and University communities.
• Maintain relationships within the legal and journalism communities, including law firms, advocacy organizations, and journalism outlets.

Location, Term, and Benefits

The successful candidate will be based in Ithaca, NY and is expected to work on-site. This is a full-time, two-year term and benefits-eligible. Employment is contingent on performance and continued funding. Expected start date is October 1, 2025, with some flexibility.

Qualifications

The Local Journalism Fellow must be a law graduate with significant litigation experience and a background in constitutional law. They must be admitted to the practice of law in New York, prepared to take the New York bar exam prior to beginning the Fellowship, or be admitted on written motion after hiring. Clerkships and prior work in the media industry are desirable but not required.

To Apply

Submit a cover letter, curriculum vitae, three references, a writing sample (an unedited or slightly edited brief or bench memo), and other significant materials to the application portal: https://academicjobsonline.org/ajo/jobs/30324. To ensure maximum consideration, submit by October 3, 2025. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis with priority to early applicants.

Compensation

Anticipated starting salary: $72,500. Pay range: $62,232.00 – $88,745.00. The final pay rate will consider prior relevant experience, education, discipline, and unique applicable skills.

Employment Assistance and Equity

For general questions about the position or the application process, contact the Recruiter listed in the job posting or email mycareer@cornell.edu. If you require an accommodation for a disability, contact Cornell Office of Civil Rights at (607) 255-2242 or accommodations@cornell.edu. Applicants without internet access can use local libraries or the Department of Labor, or request an appointment to use a workstation in the Office of Talent Attraction and Recruitment in Ithaca.

Notice to Applicants

Please read the required Notice to Applicants statement by clicking here. The notice contains important information about applying for a position at Cornell and your rights and responsibilities as an applicant.

EEO Statement

Cornell fosters diversity and is committed to equal opportunity in employment. No person shall be denied employment on the basis of protected status or discrimination. We encourage applications from historically underrepresented identities and strive to hire on merit in an inclusive environment.

About Cornell University

Cornell University is an Ivy League institution with a broad global presence, including the Ithaca campus, the medical college campuses in New York City and Doha, and the Cornell Tech campus in New York City. The university offers extensive employee programs and benefits to support career development and personal life.