Program Assistant, Lawyers for Reporters
The Cyrus R. Vance Center for International Justice/City Bar Fund
Position Reports to: Managing Attorney, Lawyers for Reporters/Vance Center
FLSA Status: Non-exempt
Work Schedule: Hybrid (3 days in-office weekly)
Location: New York City - Midtown

Established in 2004, the Vance Center advances global justice by engaging lawyers across borders to support civil society and an ethically active legal profession. The Vance Center is a unique collaboration of in-house and private practice lawyers catalyzing public interest innovation to advance human rights and access to justice, protect the natural environment, promote the rule of law and institutional integrity, and support public interest reporting. A non-profit program of the New York City Bar Association, we bring together leading law firms and other partners worldwide to pioneer domestic and international justice initiatives and provide pro bono legal representation to social justice NGOs. In 2024, the Vance Center represented 174 clients in 235 matters, collaborating as co-counsel with 844 lawyers from 164 law firms across 69 countries.

Program Description
The Vance Center launched Lawyers for Reporters in March 2020 to provide pro bono legal representation to early-stage local journalism and other reporting organizations in the United States. Since its launch, it has represented more than 220 clients in 38 states and the District of Columbia.
Lawyers for Reporters clients include creators and publishers of local and public interest reporting in many media formats, as well as investigative, advocacy, and academic publishers of public interest content. Lawyers for Reporters provides a broad range of advice and representation that news and public interest reporting entities need -- from inception through establishment as functioning reporting entities. Services include corporate, transactional, employment, and taxation advice, as well as newsroom-related advice. Lawyers for Reporters also advises clients regarding obtaining tax-exempt nonprofit status and in establishing and managing subscriber/membership programs.
Based on the successful model of the Vance Center, Lawyers for Reporters works in tandem with lawyers at dozens of law firms around the country in various areas of expertise, all engaged on a pro bono basis. Since its launch, 290 lawyers from 36 law firms have co-counseled with Lawyers for Reporters to serve clients.

Among its other activities, Lawyers for Reporters serves as the US/Canada coordinator for Reporters Shield , an international membership program established in 2023 that protects participating investigative reporting organizations from SLAPPs (Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation). In this role, working closely with Reporters Shield staff, Lawyers for Reporters coordinates the engagement, monitoring and compensation of paid legal counsel to represent Reporters Shield members in the United States and Canada against libel and related legal threats and claims.

Job Function
The Program Assistant, reporting to the Managing Attorney, will collaborate with a team of five professionals and help manage their workflow through:

Communicating with potential clients and assisting with client intake meetings and communications
Helping schedule meetings, drafting/circulating agendas and supporting materials
Compiling, organizing, and creating electronic client files; compiling data about program activities
Preparing and sending engagement letters to clients and project descriptions to potential co-counsel
Assisting in planning and executing programs and events
Assisting with updating website content and other communications
Other general administrative assistant work
Handling additional responsibilities/special projects as needed

Qualifications, Skills and Requirements

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience
Minimum 2 years directly relevant experience, preferably in a professional setting/office environment
The ability to work independently with minimal supervision, as well as collaboratively with a team
Strong organizational and project management skills, attention to detail, time-management and demonstrated ability to anticipate needs and efficiently multi-task and prioritize workload
Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including the ability to maintain a courteous and professional demeanor with a diverse range of clients, co-workers, volunteers, and other stakeholders
Strong computer skills, including intermediate knowledge of Microsoft Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and website management software
Authorization to work in the United States

Additional Experience Preferred

Experience and/or general knowledge of journalism, nonprofit/public interest legal work
Experience with the U.S. legal market, including pro bono legal services
Ability to develop and/or work with legal professionals

Candidates for this position must be available for in-person work at our Midtown Manhattan office on a hybrid schedule. The schedule requires 3 days of scheduled in-office work per week, with the balance of time being work-from-home. The hybrid schedule is subject to review and revision based on departmental needs.

Compensation
The annualized starting salary for this role will be in the $56,000- $62,000 range based on experience and for a 35-hour workweek, plus additional pay when working over 35 hours/week.
We provide a competitive benefits package, including generous paid time off (vacation, personal, sick time, holidays including closing between Christmas and New Year’s day, day off for volunteer work, extra time off in summer when employment starts prior to July), choice of medical plans, dental, vision, 401K, life insurance, commuter benefits program, Employee Assistance Program, short-term/long-term disability insurance, and employee discounts, and more!

Application Instructions:
Applications will be considered when received, until a qualified candidate is hired. It is suggested that qualified candidates submit a cover letter to explain why you are interested in the position, when applying, along with your resume.
Note: A minimum of three professional references will be required, later on in the process, for candidates being given serious consideration.
No phone calls please.

The Vance Center is a proud equal opportunity employer. We strongly encourage applications from candidates belonging to communities historically underrepresented in the legal profession. We actively seek a diverse applicant pool and encourage candidates of all backgrounds to apply. It is our policy to ensure equal employment opportunity without discrimination or harassment on the basis of race, color, creed, age, national origin, alienage or citizenship status, gender (including gender identity), sexual orientation, disability, arrest or conviction record, pregnancy, credit history, salary history, caregiver status, marital status, partnership status, or status as a victim of domestic violence, stalking and sex offenses, religion, sex, genetic information, military status, unemployment status or any other characteristic as protected by law. With regard to the Americans with Disabilities Act and other related laws, we will endeavor to make reasonable accommodations for persons due to their religious beliefs; disability; pregnancy, childbirth or related medical condition; or because the individual was a victim of domestic violence, sexual violence or stalking.

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Program Assistant, Lawyers for Reporters