Legal Fellow, Ishiyama Transparency in Government

OVERVIEW

A thriving, mission-driven multimedia organization, NPR produces award-winning news, information, and music programming in partnership with hundreds of independent public radio stations across the nation. The NPR audience values information, creativity, curiosity, and social responsibility – and our employees do too. We are innovators and leaders in diverse fields, from journalism and digital media to IT and development. Every day, our employees and member stations touch the lives of millions worldwide. 

Across our organization, we’re building a workplace where collaboration is essential, diverse voices are heard, and inclusion is the key to our success. We are committed to doing the right thing in our journalism and in every role at NPR. This means that integrity, adherence to our ethical standards, and compliance with legal obligations are fundamental responsibilities for every employee at NPR.

Intro to Position

NPR seeks an outstanding recent law school graduate with an interest in First Amendment and media law to serve as its Ishiyama Transparency in Government Legal Fellow.  Under the guidance of NPR staff lawyers, the Legal Fellow works with NPR journalists to obtain access to public records and proceedings that shed light on government operations.  The Legal Fellow will help reporters craft requests for records under the federal Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) and state public records laws, appeal inappropriate denials, request access to court records and proceedings, and work with NPR staff lawyers and outside counsel in litigating FOIA, state public records act, and court-access cases.  Time permitting, the Legal Fellow may also assist NPR staff lawyers on other media law matters, such as reviewing amicus briefs, pre-publication review, counseling reporters on newsgathering, copyright, and First Amendment issues, defending content-related suits, and negotiating content-related agreements.

Application Deadline: Friday, April 10, 2026

Here's what to include when you apply

To ensure your application receives the attention it deserves, please include a copy of your current resume and a cover letter. Your cover letter must specifically discuss your experience or demonstrated interest in:

Media Law & The First Amendment: Your academic or clinical background in libel, copyright, or newsgathering issues.

Government Transparency: Your familiarity with the federal Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), state public records laws, or the legal frameworks governing access to government data and court proceedings.

Responsibilities

• Work with NPR journalists to request access to records under the federal Freedom of Information Act
  and state public records laws;
• Work with NPR staff attorneys and outside counsel to prepare appeals from inappropriate denials of such requests;
• Track federal FOIA and state public records requests and appeals across the NPR newsroom and the newsrooms of NPR Member stations engaged with NPR in collaborative reporting projects;
• Work with NPR staff attorneys and outside counsel to pursue FOIA, state public records act, and
  court-access litigation, and, time permitting, to defend content-related lawsuits against NPR and NPR journalists;
• Conduct legal research and advise NPR legal colleagues and reporters on FOIA, state public
  records act, court-access, and other media law issues;
• Prepare memoranda, presentations, and other materials for internal and external audiences
• Prepare training materials and work with staff lawyers and newsroom leaders to train journalists in the effective use of FOIA and state public records laws.

The above duties and responsibilities are not an exhaustive list of required responsibilities, duties and skills. Other duties may be assigned, and this job description can be modified at any time.

Minimum Qualifications

• Outstanding academic credentials, including a Juris Doctor from an ABA-accredited law school earned by June 2026.
• Bar membership in good standing in the District of Columbia, or eligibility to waive into the DC bar, by January 2027.

Education Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree and Juris Doctor from an ABA-accredited law school earned by June 2026 required.

Work Location & Requirements

• NPR Hybrid-Permitted: This is a hybrid permitted role. Some aspects of this role include duties that are better performed at an NPR facility. The employee will be required to be in the office at the Washington, D.C. location at least 10 days a year. The em