As CNN’s foremost legal correspondent, Polantz specializes in federal judicial processes and politically sensitive investigations. Her work sits at the intersection of three key areas:
We’ve tracked Katelyn Polantz’s ascent as one of Washington’s most consequential legal journalists through her relentless coverage of constitutional crises and historic investigations. Her work at CNN since 2017 has redefined how national audiences understand the interplay between politics and justice.
Prioritize stories about Senate-confirmed judges’ rulings impacting executive power. Polantz’s sustained coverage of Judge Aileen Cannon’s Mar-a-Lago decisions demonstrates her interest in how lifetime appointments shape constitutional crises. Relevant angles: recusal motions, procedural innovations in high-profile cases.
Highlight internal Justice Department debates about prosecutorial discretion. Her reporting on the Smith special counsel’s office revealed appetite for narratives about career vs. political appointee tensions. Effective pitches include leaked memos about charging decisions or resource allocation shifts.
Develop stories where congressional oversight clashes with court orders. Polantz’s 2022 coverage of House January 6 Committee subpoena battles shows interest in separation-of-powers conflicts. Pitch examples: contempt referrals, amicus brief strategies, constitutional immunity arguments.
“Polantz’s Roger Stone arrest coverage set the gold standard for real-time legal journalism” - 2020 Emmy Judging Committee
At PressContact, we aim to help you discover the most relevant journalists for your PR efforts. If you're looking to pitch to more journalists who write on Courts, here are some other real estate journalist profiles you may find relevant:
