Associate Counsel

Cleveland Browns•Berea, OH

6d•Onsite

About The Position

Haslam Sports Group ("HSG") is seeking an Associate Counsel with corporate legal experience to contribute to a growing legal department across the Cleveland Browns (NFL), Columbus Crew (MLS) and other HSG properties. The Associate Counsel position is based in Cleveland and will support the Cleveland Browns, the Columbus Crew, and other HSG initiatives and special projects. The Associate Counsel's primary responsibilities may be fluid and will include drafting, negotiating, and reviewing commercial contracts; active and strategic management of various Club and league policies; internal and corporate governance; and advising internal clients on various legal matters, including intellectual property, risk management, employment, ticketing and consumer affairs. Haslam Sports Group is a fast-growing, values-driven organization committed to unifying people through sports and entertainment. We aim to bring our fans and our communities best-in-class experiences and teams that consistently deliver results. We give back to our region to drive positive change as stewards of true community assets. This is not a remote position - physical presence in the Cleveland office is required with regular weekly travel to the Crew offices in Columbus, Ohio. The Associate Counsel will report to the Chief Administrative Officer and General Counsel of Haslam Sports Group, with a dotted line to the Vice President and General Counsel of the Columbus Crew and close working relationships with other members of the HSG legal team.

Requirements

Demonstrated track record of successful self-directed complex and relevant work
Sound judgment and decision-making skills
Excellent time management skills; ability to successfully handle numerous assignments and deadlines in a high-energy environment with accuracy and exceptional attention to detail
Strong interpersonal skills; ability to work effectively and build relationships as a strategic liaison between the Legal department and internal clients at all levels and external partners/vendors as well as League contacts
Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written; ability to distill complex legal analysis into practical, straightforward advice
Flexibility to adjust and adapt to changing needs in an expanding legal department and organization; comfort with ambiguity and fluidity
Demonstrated willingness to continuously acquire new competencies and accept new challenges
Ability to maintain high personal and professional ethical standards at all times, including ensuring the confidentiality of highly sensitive or proprietary information
Internal drive, strong work ethic and a team-first, positive attitude in the performance of all job responsibilities
Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite (Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint), and ability to learn required business systems
Ability to work a flexible and dynamic work schedule that accommodates the needs and demands of internal stakeholders; travel from Cleveland to Columbus and work nights and weekends required as necessary
Juris Doctorate degree from an American Bar Association accredited law school
At least three years of experience at a law firm or as in-house counsel
Quality transactional experience required
Licensed or ability to become licensed to practice law in the State of Ohio and in good standing with the State Bar of Ohio

Nice To Haves

Experience with contract management platforms (i.e., Ironclad) a plus
Sports industry, real estate and construction, corporate governance, employment and compliance and data privacy experience each a plus

Responsibilities

Draft, negotiate, review and track various commercial contracts, including sponsorship agreements, suite lease agreements, vendor contracts, non-disclosure agreements, event agreements, governmental contracts, etc.
Research various legal questions (e.g., within Club's contracts, NFL / MLS policies, or under applicable law) and provide clear recommendations to internal staff
Manage and advise on various intellectual property matters, including apparel, content and music licensing, trademark and copyright issues
Manage and advise regarding consumer affairs
Manage, provide training for and enforce various organizational policies (including Crew Academy and youth protection policies, document retention policies, litigation hold policies, AI policies, etc.)
Assist with litigation management, including managing outside counsel, responding to discovery requests and subpoena responses, and drafting and administering litigation holds
Interface with the applicable leagues' legal departments in a variety of areas and develop strong understanding of applicable league policies
Assist in the development and maintenance of relationships with key corporate partners and other external stakeholders.
Represent the organization at community, civic and corporate functions, as requested.
Advise in the areas of corporate governance, employment practices, risk management, and general business practice compliance
Ensure compliance with applicable international, federal, state and local laws and regulations
Participate in special projects and perform various other tasks that may be assigned from time to time by the Chief Administrative Officer and General Counsel or other senior internal clients
Maintain an understanding of the external environment and industry trends (revenue/cost drivers, levers, risks, competitive situations, etc.)
Foster an environment that promotes the sharing of knowledge and best practices, and build on learning to create value for the organization
Promote positive, collaborative internal culture
Advise and build relationships with internal clients in-person, both in Cleveland and Columbus