Legal Officer

Responsible to: Legal Director
Salary range: £29,600 - £35,700
Key relationships: Legal Director, Senior Legal Officers, Legal and Grants Officer, external lawyers, partners and beneficiaries
Location: Media Defence, 5 Chancery Lane, London WC2A 1LG, UK
Contract: Permanent
Hours: 37.5 hours (flexible), occasional evening and weekend work

Media Defence is a global charity that helps media defend their rights. We support independent media and (citizen) journalists who are under legal threat by making sure that lawyers are available to defend them. We engage in strategic litigation to improve laws regulating the media, make grants to organisations in various countries to run media defence programmes and build the capacity of the lawyers and organisations we work with on issues of media law, including through our training programme and individual case support. Media Defence was set up in 2008 and has established itself as a leader in the field.
Role Summary

To conduct strategic litigation, provide case support to lawyers representing media and (citizen) journalists, deliver trainings on media law and strategic litigation, help assess grant applications, and help with communications via social media and through other channels, working closely with the Legal Director, Senior Legal Officers and Legal and Grants Officer.
Main Responsibilities

Strategic litigation
Developing strategic cases in the field of freedom of expression law and digital rights;
Undertaking legal and factual research, including on comparative and international law on freedom of expression and related issues, and the legal environment in different countries;
Case management;
Drafting and/or editing briefs and other litigation materials as required, including amicus briefs;
Helping maintain contacts with pro bono lawyers and other Media Defence partners;
Assisting in the preparation of Media Defence’s litigation strategy.
Grant making and case support
Assisting the Legal and Grants Officer in vetting grant applications and preparing case assessments;
As the primary point of contact for local lawyers receiving a grant from Media Defence, assessing their need for case support and providing any support that may be necessary, e.g. providing advice on case strategy, reviewing proposed legal arguments or conducting research;
Analysing case outcomes.
Training
Updating Media Defence’s training modules and materials on a regular basis;
Delivering trainings on litigating cases at regional mechanisms and free speech online.
Other responsibilities
Assisting Media Defence team members in reporting to Media Defence’s board and donors by providing data regarding Media Defence’s case work in a timely manner;
Representing Media Defence at public events at home and abroad as required;
Contributing to the website and other materials for external use as required including drafting blogs and legal updates as well as contributing to social media content;
Recruiting and managing legal volunteers.

Person Specification

Qualified lawyer;
At least two years’ experience working as a lawyer in human rights or media law;
A good understanding of international standards on freedom of expression;
Excellent interpersonal and communication skills and a pleasant, diplomatic manner in interacting with colleagues at all levels, contacts and the general public;
Excellent time management and organisational skills including the ability to manage effectively multiple cases and projects in a fast-paced environment;
Fluency in English with excellent writing and editorial skills;
Proven ability to work in a diverse multi-cultural environment;
Proven ability to work in a small team;
Ability to work both independently and with others;
Integrity, professional discretion and ability to handle confidential matters;
Experience of working in different legal systems would be an advantage;
Good working knowledge (spoken and written) of French or Spanish would be an advantage.

Equality and diversity are fundamental to our mission. We are committed to the recruitment and retention of individuals from diverse backgrounds and who reflect the diverse communities in which we operate.

To apply for this role, please email your CV and covering letter referencing ‘Legal Officer’ to recruitment@mediadefence.org.

Closing date: 23 July 2021

Interviews will be held on the week commencing 26 July 2021.