What We Do
Lawyers for Reporters provides legal services for independent news publishers: a less visible but essential part of the infrastructure that sustains journalism.
In 2020, the Vance Center and First Look Institute’s Press Freedom Defense Fund created Lawyers for Reporters in response to the accelerating collapse of traditional news media models over the past two decades, and the grave threat that poses to democracy. As consolidation and profit-seeking have impacted the media sector, access to news–especially at the local level–has diminished for audiences all across the United States. This has eroded capacity for civic awareness, mechanisms for government accountability and transparency, and informed engagement with democratic processes.
Small, independent publishers, many of them non-profit and digital-only, have emerged in some of the news deserts left by legacy media. Responding to the need for better information sources and addressing diverse audiences, these outlets are filling a critical space and keeping their communities informed and engaged.
While many of these independent entities are doing inspiring work with limited resources, we recognize that they all need legal support with the essentials of starting and staying in business: from forming an entity to complying with regulatory requirements, obtaining insurance to managing risk while responsibly reporting the news.
How We Work
Lawyers for Reporters provides that support to independent news publishers across the United States. We also work with some public interest organizations that do reporting as part of their advocacy and face similar challenges as their newsgathering counterparts.
Our in-house team directly represents more than 100 new and existing clients every year. We help them form corporate entities and engage in newsroom counseling, offer pre-publication review, and provide licensing and copyright advice and advocacy.
Building on the Vance Center’s proven pro bono co-counseling model, our team also works in tandem with private practice lawyers at dozens of law firms when clients need local counsel or special expertise in trademark, tax, employment, complex transactions, or other specific areas.
Our advisory committee, made up of experienced lawyers from media and nonprofit organizations, guides our overall strategy and development, ensuring we are evolving to address the shifting needs of this new media landscape.
Pro Bono Legal Services for Local Reporting
LFR offers a wide range of services for our clients. Some of the legal services we provide include, but are not limited to:
Corporate and Operational Matters
- Helping to establish a corporation or convert an organization from for-profit to nonprofit.
- Helping new nonprofits secure fiscal sponsorship and/or federal tax-exempt status.
- Identifying and helping entities obtain necessary registrations, licenses, and insurance.
- Proposing required and recommended compliance policies and procedures.
- Developing website terms of use and privacy policies.
- Providing counsel on labor and employment matters.
Newsroom Counseling
- Pre-publication legal review of content.
- Advising on requests for comment.
- Providing counsel and help responding to retraction demands and litigation threats.
- Advocating for access to public records and open meetings.
- Assessing and advocating on copyright infringement demands.
Client Eligibility
Our clients represent a diverse range of media outlets and organizations, including:
- independent print and digital news publishers
- documentary and podcast producers
- investigative, advocacy, and academic organizations that publish content in the public interest
- and others.
Lawyers for Reporters also represents individual reporters through their employers or commissioning organizations.
What are the criteria?
Clients must be independent of corporate or individual funding control. Most nonprofit news publishers will qualify. For-profit independent entities might qualify, depending on the material they publish and their financial means.
If you have questions about eligibility, please contact us directly.
Other Legal Service Providers
Independent media organizations have a wide range of needs and face distinct challenges. LFR is honored to be among a growing group of organizations providing support for independent, public interest journalism in the U.S., including Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press, Committee to Protect Journalists, Reporters Without Borders, First Amendment Coalition, Freelance Investigative Reporters and Editors, The Cornell Law School First Amendment Clinic, Free Expression Legal Network, and others.