Description:
The Intellectual Property team is seeking a Senior Counsel to work in its TRA©K-IP department. TRA©K-IP is responsible for rights analysis, chain of title advice, helping advise on certain domestic and international copyright policies, copyright administration, and MPAA Title Clearance. Reporting to a senior lawyer in the department, the Senior Counsel will provide legal guidance to the team and clients on all facets of the team's work, focusing on remake/sequel rights research and analysis, but also advising on distribution and ancillary rights analysis, chain of title advice, copyright administration, and substantive copyright policy.SPE's TRA©K-IP Group serves clients across SPE's divisions, including production, acquisitions, and distribution divisions, worldwide.
Responsibilities include:
- Advising SPE's various production divisions regarding SPE's rights to produce derivative productions based on its owned properties and exploit associated ancillary rights. Requires (a) researching and analyzing all relevant agreements, (b) thorough understanding of entertainment deals, copyright issues (including chain of title and termination/reversion), and WGA separated rights issues, and (c) drafting a thorough and client-friendly communication summarizing the rights, obligations, and any legal issues.
- Participating in requirements-gathering sessions with SPE's Information Technology department regarding new functionality in SPE's rights applications.
- Inputting, as needed, into SPE's rights applications and guiding and supervising the input of other team members.
- Advising on proper interpretation of many types of entertainment contracts, including literary property purchase agreements, co-financing and distribution agreements, network license agreements, and talent agreements.
- Providing legal guidance to the team and clients, as needed, related to complex chain of title issues (including providing drafting advice), substantive copyright policy, copyright registrations and recordations, distribution rights, and ancillary rights.
Qualifications:
- Law degree
- Member in good standing of the CA Bar
- Eight years of experience as a practicing lawyer
- Experience with entertainment industry contracts strongly preferred
- Experience with copyright and chain of title issues a plus
- Experience working with complex databases (including for purposes of research, analysis, and date entry) strongly preferred
- Excellent written and oral communication skills
- Excellent analytical and issue-spotting skills
- Excellent legal and business judgment
- Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to interact collaboratively
- Demonstrated ability to pay attention to detail
- Strong organizational skills and ability to work in a fast-paced environment with shifting priorities
