Description:

Established in 2015, Create Music Group is a leading music and entertainment company. The company operates as a record label, distribution company, and entertainment network which generates over 15 billion music streams each month on DSP's. Named #2 on the Inc 5000 Fastest Growth Companies in America in 2020, the company has grown exponentially by leveraging its owned IP with its media and technology platform. The company works with superstar artists, major and independent record labels, and global media brands. It operates a number of companies including Label Engine, one of the largest independent music distribution platforms in the world, with over 75,000 artists and 5,000 label clients; and Flighthouse, a digital entertainment brand focused on Gen Z, which has more than 300 million followers across social media. Create Music Group is based in Hollywood, CA and has 350 employees worldwide.

Job Summary:
Create Music Group's Legal and Business Affairs team is expanding. We are seeking an experienced Litigation Counsel to support the company's growing music, publishing, and digital media operations. Music experience is required. This role will be responsible for representing the company in litigation and pre-litigation matters, as well as advising on dispute strategy, risk mitigation, and escalation decisions related to the music industry, music publishing, copyright law, emerging technology, and digital media.

The ideal candidate brings prior litigation firm experience, has directly represented clients in complex disputes, and has substantial experience working with record labels, music publishers, and digital media companies. This role will partner closely with internal stakeholders and outside counsel to protect the company's intellectual property, reduce litigation exposure, and support the company's continued growth.

Responsibilities:

Litigation & Dispute Representation:
Represent the company directly in certain litigation and pre-litigation matters, including court proceedings, pleadings, motion practice, discovery, and settlement negotiations, as appropriate.
Handle disputes related to copyright infringement, DMCA takedowns, peer-to-peer file sharing, co-authorship claims, termination rights, and ownership disputes.
Advise on issues concerning what is and is not protectable in modern music, including genre, style, sound-alike claims, and emerging AI-related disputes.
Handle disputes involving mechanical licenses, synchronization licenses, master use licenses, royalty accounting, and performing rights organizations (PROs).
Represent the company in breach of contract claims and other commercial disputes arising from music and digital media agreements.
Copyright, IP & Technology Matters:
Advise on Copyright Act compliance and evolving case law affecting music, digital content, and emerging technologies.
Address disputes involving new technologies, digital distribution models, and AI-related content creation and use.
Represent and advise on related intellectual property claims, including right of publicity, trademark, name, image, and likeness (NIL), and unfair competition matters.
Outside Counsel Strategy & Coordination:
Determine when matters should be handled internally versus referred to outside counsel.
Partner with outside litigation counsel on matters requiring external support while maintaining strategic oversight.
Evaluate outside counsel strategy, performance, and cost efficiency.
Conduct early case assessments to determine appropriate resolution strategies, including settlement, internal handling, or litigation escalation.
Risk Mitigation & Proactive Advisory:
Proactively advise internal teams on litigation risk and strategies to avoid disputes.
Partner with Executive, Business Affairs, A&R, Distribution, Publishing, Data, Culture, Accounting, Finance, and other internal teams to identify and mitigate legal risks before disputes arise.
Develop and implement internal guidelines, playbooks, and best practices to reduce recurring claims and disputes.
Support the creation of internal systems and processes related to dispute prevention and intellectual property protection.
Internal Collaboration & Reporting:
Provide clear, practical, business-oriented legal guidance to non-legal stakeholders.
Prepare internal risk assessments, litigation updates, and executive summaries for leadership.
Collaborate with senior legal leadership on enterprise-level legal strategy and infrastructure.

Qualifications:
Minimum Qualifications:

Juris Doctor (JD) from an accredited law school.
Admission to the California and New York state bar (active and in good standing).
Prior litigation firm experience, including direct representation of clients in complex disputes.
Minimum 5–8 years of litigation experience, including substantial experience with music, copyright, digital media, or intellectual property matters.
Demonstrated experience working with record labels, music publishers, digital platforms, or entertainment companies.
Strong knowledge of U.S. copyright law, trademark law, and music industry practices.
Experience representing clients through pre-litigation, litigation, and dispute resolution.
Ability to exercise strong judgment and provide practical, business-focused legal advice.
Strong courtroom, motion practice, and settlement negotiation experience and comfort representing a business directly in disputes.
Strong experience with Google Suite, Word, Adobe DC, Excel, Formstack, and CRMs.

Preferred Qualifications:

Prior in-house experience at a music, media, or technology company and continued engagement with outside counsel strategy.
Experience handling AI-related copyright or technology disputes and advising on emerging legal risks associated with new technologies.
Experience advising on international copyright issues and cross-border or multi-jurisdictional disputes.
Skills & Attributes:
Strategic thinker with strong legal judgment.
Proactive, solution-oriented approach to dispute resolution.
Highly organized and capable of managing multiple matters simultaneously.
Clear and effective communicator with both legal and non-legal audiences.
Comfortable operating in a fast-paced, high-growth environment.
Strong ownership mindset and ability to operate independently while collaborating cross-functionally.

Pay Scale

$160,000 – $220,000 USD per year
The final compensation within this range will be determined based on the candidate's experience, skills, and overall fit for the role.

Fair Chance Policy
In accordance with the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance, we will consider employment for qualified applicants with criminal histories. We evaluate candidates based on their qualifications and the nature of the offense in relation to the job for which they are applying.