Description:

Overview and Responsibilities:
We're seeking a transactional lawyer to serve as maternity cover for a VP-level attorney for An American Film Production and Distribution Company. This is currently a hybrid position working partly in Paramount's Hollywood/Los Angeles office. For January 2026, the role is expected to be on-site full time.

We will also consider hiring at the Counsel level, depending on the applicant's experience.

Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

In this role you will be responsible for drafting and negotiating agreements on behalf of CBS Studios in all areas of domestic and international television development and production, including services agreements for producers, writers, directors and actors, rights acquisition agreements, co-production and other (co-)financing agreements, production services agreements, co-venture agreements, license agreements, overall agreements and other production-related agreements.
In this role you will also act as the show attorney for certain television pilots and series, and in that capacity will handle day-to-day production legal matters and counsel productions and studio executives in connection with all aspects of television development, production and post-production, including the following:
collaborating and advising on contractual issues, clearance issues involving copyright, trademark, defamation and rights of privacy, and publicity and promotional activities; and
reviewing and analyzing contracts and providing risk assessments, including with respect to chain-of-title and derivative rights issues, and intellectual property matters.
In this role you will also be responsible for providing as-needed transaction support for acquisitions, joint ventures and equity investments on behalf of CBS Studios, and will be asked to help build out, improve on and simplify existing legal processes and mechanisms and departmental knowledge management.

Basic Qualifications:

Juris Doctor, admission to California state bar (registered in-house counsel in California will also be considered), and strong academic credentials.
6+ years of experience working at a studio, network or other entertainment company in scripted television production, and experience with guild issues.
Knowledge of defamation, privacy, trademark and copyright law.
Someone who excels at drafting and has excellent verbal and written communication, negotiation, interpersonal and analytical skills.
Ability to effectively manage competing priorities in a time-sensitive environment.
Good judgment, a collaborative spirit, and a willingness to handle novel matters and projects outside of usual area of practice.
Ability to work and communicate well with producers, other production personnel, and additional departments, including Business Affairs negotiators and Casting, Production, Labor and Publicity executives.
We will also consider hiring at the Counsel level, depending on the applicant's experience. Counsel level requires a JD and 4+ years of relevant experience. Compensation range subject to change.