Laura Jarrett serves as a senior legal correspondent for NBC News and co-anchor of Saturday Today. Before making the transition to television broadcasting, she practiced law as a litigator after graduating from Harvard Law School. Over the past decade, she has established herself as a prominent voice in broadcast journalism, covering major developments at the Department of Justice, the Supreme Court, and national political legal battles.
The trajectory of modern TV news reporting requires legal correspondents who can distill dense court opinions and complex indictments into precise insights for morning and evening viewers. Jarrett's professional path highlights how specialized legal training translates into major media anchor roles. This article breaks down her background, her transition from private practice to television, her tenure at CNN, and her current position at NBC News.
Early Life and Legal Training
Born in Chicago, Illinois, Jarrett grew up in an environment deeply connected to public policy and law. She attended Amherst College, where she earned her Bachelor of Arts degree, before enrolling at Harvard Law School. During her time at Harvard, she served as an articles selection co-chair for the Harvard Journal of Law and Gender, publishing analytical pieces examining the intersection of the legal system, violence, and public policy.
After earning her Juris Doctor in 2010, she moved into private practice as a litigation associate at a law firm in Chicago, followed by a clerkship on the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals. While she spent several years working on complex commercial litigation and legal defense cases, she found herself drawn toward public communication and media analysis. By her third year in law school, she had already set her sights on a dual ambition: writing a book and working as a television news legal analyst.
Transitioning from Law to Journalism
Leaving a six-year legal career to enter television news required stepping into an entirely different professional culture. Jarrett started by exploring on-air opportunities and visiting newsrooms to pitch her expertise in legal affairs.
In 2016, CNN hired her as a reporter based in Washington, D.C. Stationed directly at the Department of Justice during a turbulent political transition, she spent long hours reporting on high-stakes investigations, congressional hearings, and federal prosecutions. That rigorous ground-level reporting provided her with the live broadcasting experience needed to handle breaking news without a script.
By January 2020, her role expanded when she was named co-anchor of CNN's early-morning news program, Early Start. Rising before dawn to anchor a live national broadcast sharpened her ability to manage developing global and domestic news stories in real time, cementing her reputation as a reliable, unflappable anchor.
Joining NBC News and Saturday Today
In late 2022, Jarrett made a major career move by departing CNN to join NBC News as a senior legal correspondent, stepping into the role previously held by veteran reporter Pete Williams. In this position, she took charge of covering the Supreme Court and federal law enforcement agencies for NBC's broadcasts across Today, NBC Nightly News, and special report events.
Her profile expanded further in August 2023 when NBC News named her co-anchor of Saturday Today, partnering with Peter Alexander. In addition to her weekend hosting duties, she frequently fills in across all editions of the weekday Today show and leads network coverage of historic legal milestones, such as delivering live updates during high-profile federal and state verdicts.
Beyond her daily broadcast commitments, Jarrett collaborates on literary projects, including co-authoring the children's book The Color of Love alongside fellow journalist Poppy Harlow, which focuses on family diversity and inclusion.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Laura Jarrett's educational background?
She earned her undergraduate degree from Amherst College and subsequently received her Juris Doctor from Harvard Law School in 2010.
Which news networks has Laura Jarrett worked for?
She began her television journalism career at CNN in 2016, where she served as a justice correspondent and co-anchored Early Start. She moved to NBC News in late 2022.
What are Laura Jarrett's current roles at NBC News?
She serves as NBC News' senior legal correspondent—covering the Supreme Court and the Department of Justice—and co-anchors Saturday Today.
Did Laura Jarrett practice law before becoming a journalist?
Yes. Before moving into broadcasting, she worked for several years as a litigation associate at a law firm and completed a federal judicial clerkship.
