The New York Times, as one of the world’s most influential news organizations, operates at the intersection of journalism and law, where stories can provoke lawsuits, government scrutiny, and ethical dilemmas. Attorneys play a crucial role in this ecosystem—not just as in-house counsel protecting the paper’s editorial independence, but also as subjects of its reporting on legal battles, high-profile prosecutions, and the broader legal profession. In 2025, amid ongoing political turbulence, the Times continues to highlight attorneys navigating a polarized judicial system, from Trump-era U.S. attorney appointments to landmark press freedom cases. This article explores the key attorneys associated with the New York Times, both those on its payroll and those featured prominently in its pages, underscoring their impact on American journalism and justice.
The In-House Legal Team: Defending the Fourth Estate
At the heart of the Times’ operations is its robust legal department, led by seasoned attorneys who safeguard against defamation claims, secure access to public records, and litigate for press freedoms. As of October 2025, Diane Brayton serves as executive vice president and chief legal officer, a position she assumed after a storied career within the company. Brayton, who joined the Times in 2004, progressed from senior counsel to general counsel in 2017, overseeing corporate governance and legal strategy during turbulent times, including the digital transition and high-stakes litigation. Her tenure as corporate secretary from 2011 to 2023 highlighted her role in board-level decisions, ensuring the Times navigated mergers, acquisitions, and regulatory hurdles with precision.
Supporting Brayton is David McCraw, senior vice president and deputy general counsel, widely regarded as the Times’ lead newsroom lawyer. With over 21 years at the paper, McCraw is a fierce advocate for journalistic integrity, authoring the 2019 book Truth in Our Times: Inside the Fight for Press Freedom in the Age of Alternative Facts. He has spearheaded more than 100 Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) lawsuits, battling federal agencies for transparency on issues like national security and political scandals. McCraw’s viral 2016 letter dismissing a retraction demand from Donald Trump’s lawyer, Marc Kasowitz, exemplified his unyielding defense of the press, quipping that the Times’ reporting on assault allegations was protected by the First Amendment. In 2023, his team earned the Tony Mauro Media Lawyer Award for protecting press rights in cases involving Trump, Harvey Weinstein, and Guantanamo tribunals.
The team extends to specialists like Simone Procas, vice president and assistant general counsel, who focuses on strategy and development, and Brian Rideout, senior counsel handling commercial contracts for advertising, content licensing, and events. Recent hires include Tanya Forsheit, senior counsel for data privacy and consumer compliance, a former Big Law partner with expertise in emerging tech like cryptocurrency. These attorneys not only mitigate risks in a digital age—drafting agreements for global content distribution and e-commerce—but also enable bold reporting by preempting legal threats. Their work ensures the Times remains a bulwark against censorship, with annual base salaries for mid-level roles ranging from $180,000 to $210,000.
Attorneys in the Spotlight: Times Coverage of U.S. Prosecutors and Legal Controversies
The New York Times frequently spotlights attorneys entangled in national controversies, particularly U.S. attorneys whose appointments and actions reflect broader political shifts. In 2025, amid President Trump’s second term, the paper has chronicled chaos in federal prosecutorial offices, especially in New York and neighboring districts. For instance, Alina Habba, Trump’s former personal lawyer, was named acting U.S. attorney for the District of New Jersey in July 2025, extending her interim role despite judicial skepticism. Habba’s tenure, marked by boasts of White House access and hires to bolster staffing, drew scrutiny for blending personal loyalty with prosecutorial independence. Critics, including federal judges, challenged her appointment as circumventing Senate confirmation, echoing broader concerns over Trump’s influence on the Justice Department.
In New York’s Northern District, John Sarcone has been a focal point, clinging to power as both acting U.S. attorney and first assistant after judges rebuffed his permanent bid. Sarcone’s office investigates high-profile targets like New York Attorney General Letitia James and former FBI Director James Comey, probing alleged misconduct in Trump-related cases. James, a Democratic stalwart, has countered by questioning Sarcone’s legitimacy, marking the fifth such challenge to Trump-installed prosecutors. Meanwhile, in Brooklyn’s Eastern District, Joseph Nocella Jr. was appointed U.S. attorney in August 2025 by federal judges, sidestepping political infighting and overseeing cartel prosecutions.
The Times has also reported on attorneys ousted for upholding the law, such as Michele Beckwith, fired as acting U.S. attorney in Sacramento for warning immigration officials to follow court orders on raids. Beckwith, with 20 years of experience prosecuting terrorists and traffickers, landed a role advising California Governor Gavin Newsom, underscoring the administration’s purge of perceived disloyalists. Similarly, in Virginia’s Western District, prosecutors like Todd Gilbert were forced out over Russia inquiry clashes, highlighting pressures on career attorneys. These stories, penned by Times reporters like Jonah Bromwich and William Rashbaum, reveal a Justice Department under unprecedented executive sway, with over 400 lawsuits challenging Trump policies.
Iconic Legal Figures and Historical Ties
The Times’ archives brim with profiles of legendary attorneys whose careers intertwined with its reporting. Bruce Cutler, famed for defending “Teflon Don” John Gotti in three acquittals, became a household name through Times coverage of mob trials. Earlier icons include Floyd Abrams, a First Amendment titan who litigated the Pentagon Papers case alongside the Times in 1971, establishing precedents for press rights. The Southern District of New York, often dubbed the “Sovereign District,” has launched stars like Rudolph Giuliani, Mary Jo White, and Preet Bharara, all chronicled in Times features as architects of white-collar prosecutions.
In the Trump era, external lawyers like Abbe Lowell and Norman Eisen emerged as “little guys” filling voids left by Big Law’s reticence, challenging executive orders through groups like the Democracy Defenders Fund. Their pro bono efforts, funded by small-firm donations, contrast with firms bowing to administration pressure, as satirized on sites like Above the Law.
Challenges and the Future of Legal Journalism
Attorneys at the Times face evolving threats: AI-driven misinformation, global libel laws, and cybersecurity breaches. McCraw has voiced concerns over authoritarian rhetoric eroding press protections abroad, while in-house counsel like Forsheit tackle privacy in data-heavy products like Wirecutter and NYT Games. As the Times expands internationally, its lawyers must harmonize U.S. First Amendment standards with stricter regimes in the U.K. or EU.
Looking ahead, the synergy between Times attorneys and its reporting will intensify. With subscription growth post-2016 elections and ongoing FOIA wins, the paper’s legal team embodies resilience. As Brayton noted in internal memos, “keen understanding of the legal environment” is paramount in an age of “alternative facts.” These guardians ensure the Times not only reports on attorneys but inspires the next generation to defend truth.
In a nation where law and media collide, the New York Times’ attorneys—internal and external—stand as sentinels, their stories a testament to the enduring fight for accountability.