History of Adam Liptak in Timeline

Adam Liptak is an American journalist, lawyer, and educator. He currently serves as the Chief Legal Affairs Correspondent for The New York Times. His expertise lies at the intersection of law and journalism.

September 2, 1960: Adam Liptak Born

On September 2, 1960, Adam Liptak was born. He is an American journalist, lawyer and instructor in law and journalism.

1984: Joined The New York Times as a copyboy

In 1984, Adam Liptak joined The New York Times as a copyboy after graduating from Yale University. He assisted reporter M. A. Farber in covering the trial of a libel suit brought by General William Westmoreland against CBS.

1988: Graduated from Yale Law School

In 1988, Adam Liptak graduated from Yale Law School with a J.D. degree. He then worked as a litigation associate specializing in First Amendment matters at Cahill Gordon & Reindel in New York City.

1992: Returned to The New York Times Company

In 1992, Adam Liptak returned to The New York Times Company's legal department. He advised The New York Times, its newspapers, television stations, and new media properties on various legal issues for a decade.

1995: Named Leading Newspaper Professional

In 1995, Presstime magazine named Adam Liptak as one of 20 leading newspaper professionals under the age of 40.

1999: Received John Peter Zenger Award

In 1999, Adam Liptak received the New York Press Club's John Peter Zenger award for defending and advancing the cause of a free press.

2002: Joined The New York Times news staff

In 2002, Adam Liptak joined The New York Times news staff as its national legal correspondent. He covered Supreme Court nominations, investigations, trials, judicial ethics, and criminal justice.

2003: Examined Jayson Blair's Reporting

In 2003, Adam Liptak was a member of the team that examined the reporting of Jayson Blair at The New York Times.

2005: Examined Rise in Life Sentences

In 2005, Adam Liptak examined the rise in life sentences in the U.S. in a three-part series. He was also a member of the teams that examined the reporting of Judith Miller at The New York Times.

2006: Awarded Crystal Gavel Award

In 2006, Adam Liptak was awarded the New York Press Club's Crystal Gavel award for his journalistic work.

January 2007: Inaugurated the Sidebar column

In January 2007, Adam Liptak inaugurated the Sidebar column in The New York Times, covering developments in the law.

2008: Began Covering the Supreme Court

In 2008, Adam Liptak began covering the Supreme Court, following Linda Greenhouse. Hofstra University also presented him with its Presidential Medal in 2008.

2008: Presented with Presidential Medal

In 2008, Hofstra University presented Adam Liptak with its Presidential Medal.

2009: Finalist for Pulitzer Prize

In 2009, Adam Liptak was a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize for Explanatory Journalism for a series of articles examining differences between the American legal system and those of other developed nations. He was also a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize for Explanatory Reporting in 2009.

2010: Won Scripps Howard Award

In 2010, Adam Liptak won the Scripps Howard Raymond Clapper Award for Washington Reporting for a five-part series on the Roberts Court.

2013: Published E-book on Same-Sex Marriage

In 2013, Adam Liptak published an e-book titled "To Have and Uphold: The Supreme Court and the Struggle for Same-Sex Marriage".

2014: Featured in The Harvard Crimson

In 2014, Adam Liptak was featured in The Harvard Crimson's commencement issue with his column entitled "Please Calculate Badly." Stetson University also awarded Liptak an honorary doctor of laws degree in 2014.

2014: Awarded Honorary Degree

In 2014, Stetson University awarded Adam Liptak an honorary doctor of laws degree.

February 2026: Became Chief Legal Affairs Correspondent

In February 2026, Adam Liptak left his role as Supreme Court Correspondent to become The Times' Chief Legal Affairs Correspondent and began writing The Docket newsletter.