Description:

Overview:
The Counsel will work with Business Affairs executives in the negotiation, structuring, and management of deals across the studio's scripted television content – spanning development, production, and distribution/licensing. This role focuses on negotiating deals and/or drafting agreements for the studio's projects, with a primary emphasis on content intended for sale and licensing to various third-party broadcasters, cable networks, and streaming platforms. The Counsel will work closely with staff attorneys and cross-functional business teams. Strong transactional skills, a sophisticated understanding of the evolving content landscape, an ability to manage multiple high-stakes matters concurrently, and a great balance of legal expertise and business acumen are required. The role is critical in protecting the studio's interests, mitigating legal risk, and advising executives on strategic business and legal matters. This is a full-time in-office role, reporting to the VP, Business Affairs.

Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

Deal Negotiation & Structuring: Lead and/or assist the negotiating and structuring of a wide range of complex agreements essential to scripted television, including: Acquisitions: Rights/underlying property acquisitions (e.g., life rights, book options/purchases). Above-the-Line Talent: Writers, producers, directors, and principal cast, interfacing directly with talent representatives and agencies. Production & Co-Production: Domestic and international co-production agreements, financing, and production services agreements. Licensing & Distribution: Sale/license of studio-produced content to third-party platforms (e.g., streamers, networks) and international distributors
Relationship Management & Collaboration: Cultivate strong, communicative relationships with various internal business groups, outside counsel, studio executives, and talent reps
Strategic Business Counsel & Risk Management: Provide timely, practical, and strategic advice to Development, Production, and Finance teams regarding deal terms, legal risks, rights analysis, chain-of-title, intellectual property, clearances, and guild/union compliance (WGA, DGA, SAG-AFTRA)
Leverage broad, in-depth understanding of the entertainment industry to identify creative, win-win solutions that achieve business goals while mitigating risk
Policy & Procedure: Collaborate on foundational practices for the department, leading to more standardized, consistent practices around procedures, deal-making, and contracts
Rights Management & IP: Partner with internal IP and Rights Management teams, as well as outside counsel, on rights matters, copyright and trademark matters, and clearance issues
Capacity: Proven ability to manage a high volume of negotiations and transactions while prioritizing key deadlines across various business teams

Basic Qualifications:

5+ years' experience negotiating a wide range of deals and drafting agreements in scripted television development and production at a major production company, television studio, network, streamer, or top-tier entertainment law company
Juris Doctorate (J.D.) degree from an accredited law school
California Bar Membership (in good standing) or eligibility to register as in-house counsel in California
Working knowledge of major WGA, DGA, and SAG-AFTRA collective bargaining agreements
Meaningful experience with intellectual property law (copyright and trademark)
Exemplary negotiation and drafting skills with a track record of structuring and closing complex, high-value deals

Additional Qualifications:

Top-notch communication skills, judgment, and strategic analysis
Impressive interpersonal and presentation skills, with the ability to communicate skillfully and build trust with internal and external stakeholders at all levels
Demonstrated ability to manage multiple concurrent negotiations and projects concurrently
Ability to advise internal and external parties on business and legal affairs matters, resulting in collaborative, commercially sound outcomes