Thomson Reuters is hiring a global media lawyer/litigator to support Reuters News and its broader businesses. The role, a 12-month parental leave cover, will be based in London.
This role offers a unique opportunity: the media litigator will advise, around the world, on laws affecting newsgathering and publication, data gathering and distribution, privacy, and intellectual property rights and will advocate for Thomson Reuters’ interests in disputes and litigation, including the rights of journalists.
Thomson Reuters provides legal, tax, accounting and compliance professionals with the tools and information they need to empower people and decision-making. Its news and media business, Reuters News, is the world’s leading international news agency, reaching more than one billion people every day and delivering real-time, award-winning news coverage to news and media organisations, brands, and consumers. Reuters covers a broad range of topics, including business, politics, finance, sports, and technology. The hallmarks of Reuters’ journalism are speed, impartiality, and insight.

PREFERRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND EXPERIENCE

• Deep understanding of Thomson Reuters’ core values of independence, integrity and freedom from bias
• Significant understanding of media law and ethics and the news and media industry
• Prior in-house legal experience
• Solid background in intellectual property, especially copyright
• Written and verbal communication skills in languages in addition to English
• Experience working across countries and cultures
  

  LI-EH2

ABOUT THE ROLE

This media lawyer will join the Litigation team in the Thomson Reuters General Counsel’s Office, and will collaborate with colleagues within and across practice groups.

In this opportunity as a Senior Counsel, your Major Responsibilities / Accountabilities will be:

• Advise Reuters journalists in 160+ locations worldwide on laws affecting publication and distribution across all content types (text, video, pictures, graphics)—including defamation, privacy and newsgathering.
• Conduct pre-publication review of news content in a fast-paced environment.
• Advise on issues concerning the physical, digital, and emotional safety of our journalists, many of whom are reporting from higher-risk areas and/or on higher-risk subject matter.
• Counsel on copyright and other intellectual property matters, including enforcement of Thomson Reuters’ IP rights.
• Respond to legal demands and challenges, defend against subpoenas and other third-party requests for information.
• Advocate for the interests of business partners in disputes and oversee litigation filed by and against Reuters globally.
• Ensure compliance with the Thomson Reuters Trust Principles, which reflect our commitment to integrity, independence and freedom from bias.
• Advise business partners on editorial-related legal issues.
• Track global legal developments affecting journalists, news/information publication, data collection/distribution, and freedom of expression.

You’re a great fit for the role of Senior Counsel if you have:

• Qualified lawyer with a current practising certificate
• Significant post-qualification experience (at least 3-4 years PQE) managing disputes/litigation and advising clients in news, media, information, or technology industries.
• Substantial understanding of UK media law
• Demonstrated ability to give timely, clear, and practical legal advice.
• Adaptable and prepared to contribute to areas outside core expertise.
• Strong work ethic with ability to work independently, prioritise, and problem-solve in the face of uncertainty.
• Ability to communicate across diverse geographies and cultures and to thrive as part of a global team.
• Ability to effectively select and manage external counsel around the world.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English.
• High level of integrity and professionalism