US Legal Correspondent

financialtimes33; New York (NY); On-site; USD 90,000 - 135,000; Full time

Job summary

The Financial Times in New York seeks an experienced journalist to join the New York bureau to cover law and the legal industry. The beat focuses on white-collar crime and the actions of major law firms that shape finance and regulation.

You will break stories, translate complex legal documents, and develop sources across courts and defense to deliver clear, engaging narratives for a global audience.

Qualifications

• Proven track record of breaking stories on news-heavy beats.
• Ability to quickly parse complex legal documents and translate jargon into clear copy.
• Familiarity with international finance and regulatory environments.

Responsibilities

• Cover federal and New York authorities investigating financial and corporate malfeasance.
• Develop sources in the criminal defense bar and courts to break stories.
• Collaborate with US and international correspondents on top legal cases.
• Provide clear, compelling narratives about major law firms and influential lawyers.
• Weekend shifts may be required as part of the team rota.

Skills

News reporting

Legal reporting

Source development

Team collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in Journalism

Job description

About us

The Financial Times is one of the world's leading news organisations, globally recognised for its authority, integrity and accuracy, with a mission to deliver quality information and services worldwide.

At the FT, curiosity thrives and ambitious thinking is rewarded. Here, you’re given the chance to reach millions, create work that matters and deliver impartial journalism in a polarised world.

In our warm, collaborative culture, you’ll connect with a diverse community of experts who support your growth, career aspirations and wellbeing.

Your future at the FT will be filled with opportunities that challenge and inspire you. With no fixed path, you’ll discover new skills and forge a career that can take you anywhere.

Build a newsworthy career at the FT.

The role

The Financial Times is looking for an experienced journalist to join the New York bureau to cover law and the legal industry.

The beat has essentially two interlocking halves, one focusing on white collar crime and financial enforcement, and the other centered on the powerful law firms and larger‑than‑life characters operating in the world’s largest legal market.

The first half is rooted in the federal prosecutor's offices in New York's Southern and Eastern Districts, and the enforcement arms of the Securities and Exchange Commission and Commodity Futures Trading Commission. That means covering some of the US's highest profile white collar cases - past examples include the investigations into First Brands' Patrick James, Archegos' Bill Hwang and FTX's Sam Bankman‑Fried.

You will also collaborate directly with the US Justice correspondent and corporate beat reporters to cover top legal cases elsewhere in the country. That requires proficiency in developing relationships with both defence attorneys and prosecutors in New York and beyond.

Coverage of the legal industry means breaking news and writing about the top American lawyers and law firms who act as powerbrokers across business, finance and politics. Lawyers pop up as key donors and advisers on both sides of the political aisle and litigation - or the threat of it - is the constant companion of corporate activity, government regulation and the electoral process.

The FT has been expanding its footprint in the US professional services sector at a time of significant change that is challenging the business models of the big law firms. Consolidation is accelerating, as are high‑profile poaching raids. Private equity is eyeing a way into the profession . AI threatens to upend both training and billing norms, and some venerable firms are struggling while upstarts expand into new practice areas.

Key responsibilities

• Cover federal and New York authorities responsible for investigating and prosecuting financial and corporate malfeasance
• Develop sources in the criminal defence bar and state and federal courts to break stories in core FT areas, including money laundering, insider trading and financial fraud
• Work closely with Washington, London and corporate correspondents while cooperating within a distributed team to pursue big cases
• Pick out unique angles on New York law firms and prominent lawyers for compelling reads on the legal community
• Weekend shifts are required as part of the team rota

Who we are looking for

You will have a proven track record of breaking stories on news-heavy beats, and shown an ability to work well within a team. You will be expected to quickly parse complex legal documents and translate legal jargon to deliver clean copy and compelling narratives. Familiarity with the intricacies of international finance is preferred, given the frequently complicated cases brought by federal authorities.

Salary range

A reasonable estimate of the salary range for this role is $90,000-$135,000p.a. To ensure pay fairness, the successful candidate will be offered a salary within the estimated salary range based on a number of considerations including but not limited to: skill set; experience and training; certifications; and other business and organisational needs.

This position is open to a broad pool of candidates, both internal and external. Where an external candidate is hired or a successful internal candidate is appointed to the role on terms covered by the collective bargaining agreement, they will be represented by the News Media Guild (NMG). Candidates appointed on other (i.e. foreign) employment terms, including certain internal transfers on assignments from other bureaux, may not be represented by the NMG.

The use of AI

Original reporting, great writing and intelligent commentary lie at the heart of FT journalism. Our readers trust us to produce quality journalism that is accurate, fair and insightful. This is why FT editorial staff do not by default use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to write articles or create other reader‑facing content. For specific and pre‑approved c