You’re not applying for just another job. Or some cush 9 to 5. You’re applying to enter the battleground of ideas. To roll with a pride who never backs down. Sound fun? Then ditch the herd. Join the lions.
The Daily Wire is seeking an exceptional candidate to join our team as Associate Counsel, Business & Legal Affairs. As Associate Counsel, Business & Legal Affairs. In this position, you will provide support to the business and legal affairs function and employees of the company’s entertainment division including providing production legal support, advice, and counsel on all aspects of entertainment and managing a heavy volume of content ranging from scripted and unscripted television series, feature films, documentaries, animated and live-action productions, and podcasts for both The Daily Wire and Bentkey.
This position requires strong negotiation skills, interpersonal skills, proactive problem solving, attention to detail, and the ability to collaborate and communicate effectively with internal and external stakeholders to mitigate risks and achieve favorable outcomes on tight deadlines. We invite qualified candidates to apply!
Responsibilities
Legal Expertise
Manage and provide expertise to the SVP, Business & Legal Affairs, and other company executives regarding film and television business and legal matters including with respect to acquisitions, finance, production, distribution, intellectual property, and general entertainment matters. Strong knowledge concerning union (SAG-AFTRA, WGA, DGA, IATSE) and non-union issues and working knowledge of labor and employment law issues, music clearances, intellectual property law, risk management issues, and rights of publicity and privacy. Review content and provide the post-production team, production teams, and other company executives with an assessment of legal risks related to defamation, right of privacy, right of publicity, copyright, fair use, and trademark.
Production Management
Manage internal and third-party productions from development of the project through post-production and release of the project and advise appropriate teams on potential risks including legal clearances.
Marketing Support
Provide support to the marketing team with respect to marketing campaigns and initiatives including advising them on any third-party contractual restrictions that might impact marketing plans.
Contract Management
Manage legal rights tracker and contract options tracker and advise internal stakeholders on contract status and expiring rights and/or options.
Daily Contract Review, Drafting, and Advice
Review and draft various entertainment-related agreements including, without limitation, above-the-line and below-the-line agreements, production services agreements, distribution agreements, acquisition agreements, music composer and license agreements, etc. Create forms and manage and update the forms database. Provide on- and off-set advice to the company’s internal Production Department, as well as third-party production companies, on development and production related matters. Regularly meet with the Production Department to proactively spot and address production issues before they arise. Conduct chain-of-title review and advise internal stakeholders on potential risks impacting distribution of content. Work closely with the company’s insurance broker to ensure each production is properly insured. Research and provide advice regarding legal issues as they arise. Perform other day-to-day legal and business affairs related tasks. Draft contract summaries for executed agreements to be circulated to internal stakeholders.
Requirements
Education
JD and strong academic credentials from an ABA-accredited law school and current Bar admission.
Demonstrated Skills/Abilities/Competencies
- 1+ years of experience at a law firm and/or in a business and legal affairs department (ideally at a major studio or OTT/streaming service), with significant, demonstrable scripted and unscripted production legal experience.
- Excellent negotiation and drafting skills.
- Knowledge of entertainment transactions and day-to-day legal challenges faced by scripted and unscripted film and television productions.
- Flexibility and ability to pivot according to quickly changing business needs.
- Attention to detail and ability to efficiently juggle multiple tasks and deadlines.
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to assess complex contractual issues and propose practical solutions.
- Excellent organizational, communication, and interpersonal skills
- Excellent industry relationships and proactive approach to building relationships with television agents, lawyers, and other professionals.
- Ability to prioritize tasks, meet deadlines, and work effectively under pressure in a fast-paced environment.
- High level of integrity and professionalism
- A cooperative, team-focused approach
- Proficient with Microsoft Office and G-Suite