Senior Legal Editor

Democracy Docket is the leading pro-democracy, independent digital media platform dedicated to voting rights and elections in courtrooms and across the country.

Founded in 2020 by Democratic voting rights attorney Marc Elias, we are an unapologetic newsroom that doesn't pull punches - using fact-based reporting to shed light on what's happening in the courts and hold those in power accountable.

With a comprehensive database of over 1,000 cases, Democracy Docket is the go-to source for tracking and understanding election and voting litigation - providing breaking news and in-depth analysis on voting rights and election litigation and policy that will shape our elections and democratic institutions for years to come.

We reach over 450,000 newsletter subscribers through free daily and weekly newsletters, offer a premium membership with exclusive content, and have built a social media following of more than 1 million across our channels - including 600,000+ You Tube subscribers.

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.

• 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.

• 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.

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.

At Democracy Docket, we believe great work starts with people who feel supported, valued, and able to thrive. We’re a…