Director, Legal, WB Pictures (Hybrid)

Description:

Welcome to Warner Bros. Discovery… the stuff dreams are made of.

Who We Are…
When we say, “the stuff dreams are made of,” we're not just referring to the world of wizards, dragons and superheroes, or even to the wonders of Planet Earth. Behind WBD's vast portfolio of iconic content and beloved brands, are the storytellers bringing our characters to life, the creators bringing them to your living rooms and the dreamers creating what's next…

From brilliant creatives, to technology trailblazers, across the globe, WBD offers career defining opportunities, thoughtfully curated benefits, and the tools to explore and grow into your best selves. Here you are supported, here you are celebrated, here you can thrive.

Your New Role
Role focuses on negotiating, structuring and drafting agreements related to the development and production of theatrical films, with a particular emphasis on film financing transactions, such as negative pick-up agreements, co-financing agreements (slate and individual picture), rent-a-system agreements and co-development agreements. Role also includes negotiating and drafting rights agreements and above-the-line talent agreements, and providing legal support during physical and post-production, including negotiating location, vendor and visual effects agreements. Role requires the ability to act as a production attorney for feature length theatrical motion pictures (from low budget to tent-pole) produced by Warner Bros. Pictures with close supervision. Role involves handling all legal aspects of feature film production from development, through production, post-production, release and thereafter. In addition, the role involves working closely with the business affairs group in connection with motion picture production and financing projects, and providing legal support for theatrical film projects at Warner Bros. Pictures Animation, New Line Cinema and DC Studios theatrical films on an as-needed basis. Role may also include participating as legal representative on various intra-company groups investigating legal issues of common concern such as guild issues, artificial intelligence, etc.

It is an essential function of this position that the work be performed partially from the office, as our clients, team members and production personnel all work in the office part time.

Your Role Accountabilities

• Negotiating and drafting development, talent and production-related agreements and co-financing, co-development agreements
• Assisting other department members with projects (e.g., development, films in production, research, general assistance)
• Managing the day-to-day legal relationship with film financing partners
• Handling all legal issues during prep, pre-production, production and post-production
• Working closely with business affairs executives on all aspects of feature production

Qualifications & Experience:

• Undergraduate degree required.
• JD degree from an accredited law school required.
• Admission to California State Bar in good standing or willingness and qualification to be Registered In-House Counsel.
• 8+ years of legal experience (with at least 4 years as a production attorney, including co-financing, co-development, negative pick-up experience or the equivalent) with demonstrated ability to act as production attorney on major film projects.
• Willingness to tackle matters outside their area of expertise.
• Must have strong writing and communication skills with the ability to communicate effectively and tactfully with executives, creative personnel at all levels on legal-related issues.
• Must have strong negotiation skills and an adaptable negotiation style.
• Ability and flexibility to take on new and complex legal challenges.
• Strong analytical capabilities and judgment.
• Ability to work proactively, independently and reliably under tight time frames in a dynamic and fast-paced environment.
• Ability to work effectively and collaboratively and cross-functionally.
• Management has the right to add or change duties and job requirements at any time

How We Get Things Done…
This last bit is probably the most important! Here at WBD, our guiding principles are the core values by which we operate and are central to how we get things done. You can find them at www.wbd.com/guiding-principles/ along with some insights from the team on what they mean and how they show up in their day to day. We hope they resonate with you and look forward to discussing them during your interview.

Championing Inclusion at WBD
Warner Bros. Discovery embraces the opportunity to build a workforce that reflects a wide array of perspectives, backgrounds and experiences. Being an equal opportunity employer means that we take seriously our responsibility to consider qualified candidates on the basis of merit, without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, mental or physical disability, and genetic information, marital status, citizenship status, military status, protected veteran status or any other category protected by law.

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