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Deputy Editor/Senior Contributor, Balls & Strikes

Location: Remote
Status: Exempt, Full-time

Position Summary

The person in this role will write and edit columns for and contribute to the overall growth of Balls & Strikes, a project of Demand Justice launched in 2021 to provide critical, progressive coverage of the Supreme Court and the American legal system.

The person in this role should have a clear-eyed understanding of how the legal system works—and, perhaps even more importantly, all the ways in which it doesn’t. The person in this role will contribute their own bylined writing to the site, which may include coverage of Supreme Court oral argument, Supreme Court opinion releases, lower court nominations, and other stories at the intersection of law and politics. These stories may take the form of 500-word posts that are pitched, edited, and published in two hours, or longform essays on topics of interested to B&S’s core audience.

The person in this role will also assist the Editor-in-Chief with all aspects of the process of editing columns from B&S staff writers, contributors, and freelancers, including shepherding ideas from pitch to publication and promotion. They will also assist the Editor-in-Chief with developing the site’s overall editorial strategy, with an eye toward expanding B&S’s influence in legal journalism and on the political left.

The person in this role will report to Balls and Strikes’ Editor-in-Chief.

Basic Qualifications

  • The ability to find strong angles on trending news stories within B&S’s coverage areas, and to file clean copy and turn stories around quickly with little oversight
  • Strong knowledge of and interest in politics, the Supreme Court, the federal judiciary, and the American legal system
  • A firm grasp of B&S’s unique voice and an understanding of its place in the media ecosystem
  • An instinct for finding original, creative ways to cover news stories that set B&S apart from more traditional legal journalism
  • The ability to report out stories in B&S’s coverage areas through original reporting and research
  • A sharp eye for editing writers in ways that strengthen their argument while preserving their unique voice
  • The ability to package and promote stories using snappy headlines and social copy to maximize their reach and impact
  • Fresh ideas for how their writing can supplement existing B&S coverage, including the development of franchises, beats, and/or recurring series

Preferred Qualifications

  • Three or more years of experience in journalism, digital media, communications, or a related field
  • Substantive experience in politics and/or with the judicial nominations process
  • J.D. or equivalent

Compensation and Benefits

Annual compensation for this role is between $80,000 and $100,000 based on experience, as well as a generous benefits package, including medical, vision and dental insurance provided by the employer and matching 401K.


How to Apply

To apply, please send a resume, cover letter, and writing sample (clips preferred) to [email protected] with “Deputy Editor/Senior Contributor, Balls & Strikes” in the subject line, and please be sure to tell us where you saw this announcement. This announcement will remain posted until the position is filled.

 

A fair judiciary is essential to protect everything from voting rights to gun violence prevention to access to abortion, so Demand Justice’s work intersect with many of the most urgent issues facing our communities today. At Demand Justice, it is important to build a team of diverse individuals committed to making our courts work for all communities, and we encourage women, people of color, LGBTQ+ individuals, and people with disabilities to apply.