Senior Legal Editor

Job Overview 

Democracy Docket is seeking a Senior Legal Editor to help steer and shape Democracy Docket’s original reporting – specifically, our reporting on voting rights and election law. 

The ideal candidate will be an experienced editor and newsroom leader who brings an expertise in covering the courts and the law, and in translating complex legal concepts into compelling journalism. They’ll have a strong ability to spot original angles, anticipate storylines, guide and direct reporters, and frame stories to maximize their impact. They’ll also bring a solid grasp of voting and democracy issues, and how they play out in politics and the law. Finally, they’ll have an enthusiasm for our newsroom’s commitment to mission-driven, pro-democracy journalism that doesn’t flinch from calling out powerful anti-democratic actors. 

This role reports to the Managing Editor.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead Democracy Docket's election litigation and courts coverage, the core plank of our news coverage of voting issues.
• Work closely with other top editors to identify key storylines and opportunities for enterprise reporting.
• Manage, direct and assign a small team of reporters producing breaking news and enterprise stories. 
• Work with our legal research team to ensure we are closely covering key developments in voting, elections and redistricting cases.
• Quickly sharpen drafts, including punching up headlines and ledes, to make the finished product even stronger.
• Collaborate with, and help generate ideas for, Democracy Docket’s Social, Video, and Growth teams on promotion and other organizational goals.

Required Qualifications

• Deep experience directing and editing legal news coverage – ideally in a courts, voting, election law or related legal beat. 
• A digital-newsroom background, with experience publishing quickly, optimizing for audience, and thinking across formats — text, social, video, and direct communications with members  — to best showcase our coverage.
• Proven track record managing reporters and assigning and shaping stories in a fast-paced news environment.
• Excellent news judgment and an instinct for finding the story others miss.
• Strong grasp of national politics and policy. Experience as an editor or reporter on voting and democracy stories is a huge plus. 
• Concern about the dangers U.S. democracy currently faces, and an eagerness to contribute to the fight to protect and strengthen it.

Work Environment
This is a full-time role based out of our Washington, D.C. or Jersey City office. Our core business hours are 9am-6pm, and we currently operate on a hybrid schedule, with remote work on Mondays and Fridays and in-office days on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays.

This position will require being comfortable adapting to fast-paced workflows and being responsive to urgent editorial needs, including outside of normal business hours.

REQUIRED: Interested candidates should submit a resume, cover letter, and short memo listing at least three published stories that you edited, and explaining your contribution to each one.

Why You’ll Love Working Here

At Democracy Docket, we believe great work starts with people who feel supported, valued, and able to thrive. We’re a collaborative, mission-driven team that values transparency, care for one another, and doing work that truly matters. We offer a competitive and people-first benefits package designed to support your health, financial security, and life outside of work:

• Merit-based annual bonus eligibility
• 100% employer-paid medical, dental, and vision premiums for employees
• 401(k) with 6% company match, available after 3 months
• Commuter benefits to help with your daily travel
• Generous paid time off, including:
• • 18 days of PTO per year (increasing with tenure)
  • 10 paid Health & Wellness days annually
  • 2 paid personal days annually
• 11 paid holidays, observed per company policy

We’re committed to creating a workplace where you can do meaningful, impactful work - without sacrificing your well-being.

Salary Range: $130,000 - 150,000

Democracy Docket is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment for all employees. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable laws.

Salary

• $130,000 - $150,000