General Counsel

Position Title: General Counsel Attorney
Location: West Palm Beach, FL
Organization: Citizen Journalism Foundation & O'Keefe Media Group
Reports To: CEO

About Us: Citizen Journalism Foundation (CJF) and O'Keefe Media Group (OMG) are organizations dedicated to promoting transparency, freedom of speech, and independent journalism. As an integral part of our mission, we provide support to citizen journalists and investigative reporters by ensuring that they are well-equipped legally to carry out their important work. We are currently seeking a highly skilled and committed General Counsel Attorney to support our legal needs across both organizations.

Position Overview: The General Counsel Attorney will play a critical role in overseeing and managing all legal matters for the Citizen Journalism Foundation and O'Keefe Media Group. This includes providing legal advice, drafting and reviewing contracts, conducting legal research, and offering strategic guidance related to journalism and publishing efforts. This role will also involve developing and managing a nationwide network of pro bono attorneys to support the mission of the organizations. The ideal candidate will be a dynamic legal professional with experience in media law, nonprofit law, and a passion for supporting the growth of citizen journalism.

Key Responsibilities:

• Contract Drafting and Review:
  • Draft, review, and negotiate contracts, including partnerships, publishing agreements, and collaborations.
  • Ensure all contracts comply with applicable laws and safeguard the organizations' interests.
  • Advise the leadership team on any potential legal risks and how to mitigate them in contracts.

• Legal Research & Guidance:
  • Provide legal counsel on issues related to journalism, publishing, and media, including First Amendment rights, defamation, intellectual property, and other areas relevant to our mission.
  • Conduct in-depth research on legal developments affecting independent journalism and provide proactive guidance on emerging trends, risks, and opportunities.

• General Legal Advising:
  • Serve as the primary legal advisor to the leadership teams of CJF and OMG, offering counsel on various operational, strategic, and risk-related matters.
  • Advise on legal compliance and ethical issues concerning content creation, publication, and distribution.
  • Monitor and interpret legal trends in media law, especially in relation to the protection of journalists' rights and freedom of speech.

• Cultivation and Maintenance of Pro Bono Attorney Network:
  • Establish and nurture a network of attorneys across the United States who are willing to provide affordable or pro bono legal support to assist with litigation, legal inquiries, and other legal needs aligned with the mission of CJF and OMG.
  • Cultivate relationships with law firms, legal organizations, and individual attorneys to ensure the organization has access to expert legal assistance when needed.

• Litigation Support:
  • Provide oversight and guidance for any legal disputes or litigation involving CJF or OMG, including working with external attorneys when necessary.
  • Assist in preparing and reviewing legal briefs, motions, and other court filings.

• Legal Strategy & Risk Mitigation:
  • Collaborate with the executive team to develop legal strategies that support the organizations' goals while minimizing potential legal risks.
  • Conduct risk assessments related to new initiatives, partnerships, and content distribution.

• Training and Education:
  • Provide training to staff and contributors on legal issues related to journalism, publishing, and ethics.
  • Keep the team informed about important legal developments and best practices to ensure the organization operates in compliance with laws governing media and freedom of expression.

Qualifications:

• Juris Doctor (JD) from an accredited law school.

• Active bar membership in Florida; multi-jurisdiction experience preferred.

• Minimum of 5 years of legal experience, with a strong focus on media law, nonprofit law, or related fields.

• Proven experience in drafting, reviewing, and negotiating contracts.

• Expertise in First Amendment law, defamation, intellectual property, and freedom of speech issues.

• Experience working with or within a nonprofit organization is highly desirable.

• Strong understanding of the legal landscape for independent journalism and citizen media.

• Demonstrated ability to build and manage a network of legal professionals, particularly in a pro bono capacity.

• Ability to provide clear, concise legal advice and explain complex legal concepts to non-legal stakeholders.

• Self-motivated, organized, and able to manage multiple legal matters simultaneously.

• Passion for the mission of Citizen Journalism Foundation and O'Keefe Media Group.

Compensation: Compensation for this role will be commensurate with experience. This is a full-time position at our West Palm Beach office.