Regional Reporter

About the role

We are seeking a Cleveland-based, ambitious, enterprising reporter to build and own coverage of the Ohio legal community. This reporter will cover the lawyers, law firms, judges and cases that shape the business and practice of law in one of the country’s most important legal markets.

Responsibilities

• Cover mid-size law firms as the core of the beat, including firm strategy, growth and lateral moves.
• Track major cases and litigation trends shaping Ohio's legal landscape, with an emphasis on civil litigation.
• Stay informed on key players within the court system, tracking which firms are getting the big cases and proactively getting insights into the fallout from major court decisions.
• Monitor judges and courts, including key rulings, judicial appointments, caseloads, court administration, and developments inside state and federal courts.
• Report on rules and policy changes, including updates to civil procedure, court administration, and other regulatory shifts affecting legal practice.
• Provide coverage of the business of law, including firm management, client dynamics, and broader market trends.

Requirements

The right candidate will be comfortable cultivating sources, working the phones, showing up in person, and becoming a familiar—and trusted—presence within the Ohio legal ecosystem.

Qualifications

• A strong reporter’s instinct for what matters—and what’s next—in the legal industry.
• The confidence and curiosity to build a beat from scratch, identifying stories before they’re obvious.
• Willingness to meet people face to face, attend hearings, firm events, bar association meetings, and industry gatherings.
• Comfort working the phones, developing sources, and maintaining regular contact with attorneys, judges, and court officials.
• The ability to translate complex legal issues into clear, compelling journalism for a professional audience.
• A sharp news judgment, strong writing skills, and a commitment to accuracy and fairness.
• The initiative to generate story ideas independently and pursue them aggressively.

Skills, Knowledge and Expertise

• A track record of source-driven reporting and enterprise stories.
• Experience covering law, courts, business, or a similarly complex beat.
• Familiarity with Ohio's legal market is a plus, but not required.
• Willingness to work in a fast-paced newsroom environment with high standards.

Benefits

• 15 vacation days, 12 company holidays, three personal days, one day to volunteer at the organization of your choice, plus a day off for your birthday each year
• Health insurance plans, dental plans, and vision coverage
• Health Savings Accounts (HSA) and Flex Spending Accounts (FSA)
• Comprehensive wellness program
• Employer paid life insurance
• Short-term and long-term disability insurance
• Accident and critical illness insurance
• 401K and Roth retirement savings plans with employer matching
• Tuition reimbursement after 1 year of service
• Commuter Benefits

Pay

$60,000 - $70,000 / year

Schedule

Full-time