Rebecca Buckwalter-Poza is a nationally recognized attorney, strategist, and writer whose career bridges law, policy, and journalism. A graduate of Yale Law School and a Senior Fellow at Alliance for Justice currently on book leave, she has consistently shaped legal, political, and cultural discourse through advocacy, analysis, and litigation.

 

Rebecca achieved national prominence after successfully suing then-President Donald J. Trump in a landmark First Amendment case, establishing critical precedent protecting the free speech rights of citizens and journalists in the digital age. The ruling redefined the legal responsibilities of public officials on social media and has been widely cited in ongoing challenges involving digital rights and democracy. Her case was covered in U.S. publications from The New Yorker to  Cosmopolitan as well as internationally.

 

Her legal expertise and commitment to journalism is reinforced by a deep foundation in public interest work, from her time as a Fellow at the Center for American Progress to her leadership in progressive strategy and communications spanning 20 years.

 

Rebecca has written extensively on civil rights, judicial independence, and constitutional law, with bylines in Democracy Journal, Yale Law Journal's Forum, The Atlantic, CNN, NPR, Ms., and others. As a former columnist at Pacific Standard and editor at Daily Kos, she helped bring rigorous legal and political analysis to mainstream audiences.

 

Rebecca’s thought leadership and advocacy have earned her multiple awards and honors, from Bitch magazine to Politico and the Women's Media Center. She was featured by Reporters Without Borders on a digital billboard in New York’s Times Square in recognition of her role in defending press freedom and democratic values.

 

Rebecca works to advance judicial independence, protect access to justice, and defend democracy through strategic journalistic, legal, and policy initiatives. In every role, she brings a rare combination of legal insight, storytelling skill, and systemic vision. She is a co-founder of Prism Reports and served as Daily Kos's first Judicial Affairs Editor, covering the courts for more than 18 million readers monthly.

 

Rebecca is also a dedicated mentor, having led teams, managed early-career professionals, and cultivated inclusive environments where new voices can thrive. Her commitment to mentorship is grounded in a belief that leadership means lifting others as you climb.