Counsel, Legal, HBO and HBO Max Productions
About The Position
This position assesses and manages legal risk and handles a wide array of production-related agreements for HBO and HBO Max domestic and internationally produced, critically-acclaimed and award-winning original scripted programming during pre-production, production, and post-production under the supervision of more senior project attorneys (e.g., VP, Senior Director, Director). Under the supervision of more senior project attorneys (e.g., VP, Senior Director, Director), the Counsel drafts and negotiates time-sensitive production or post-production-related agreements, including casting director and department head agreements; location and lease agreements; artwork releases and clip/photo licenses; confidentiality/non-disclosure agreements; nudity/simulated sex riders; and visual effects agreements. Additionally, the Counsel: assists senior project attorneys with documentation related to production incentives and tax credits for both domestic and international productions; conducts training sessions with intimacy coordinators regarding nudity/simulated sex protocol and workflow; assists with overflow drafting of above-the-line agreements for projects in development or production; updates template agreements and handles other special projects as assigned by VP and/or SVP, Head of Legal, including negotiating studio, security, stock footage, catering and other master agreements for use across multiple productions. On international productions, the Counsel will liaise with local counsel regarding production-related agreements, including reviewing proposed templates to ensure they comport with HBO/HBO Max policies and required legal language. It is an essential function of this position that the work be performed partially from the Company’s offices, i.e., in office for no fewer than three (3) days per week.
Requirements
- Minimum 2 years relevant legal experience as a practicing lawyer in a law firm, in-house legal department of a media company or government agency, or judicial clerkship.
- J.D. from an accredited law school and an outstanding academic record.
- Must be licensed to practice law and a member in good standing of the California or New York Bar.
- Must be able to analyze, draft, and negotiate contracts.
- Must have sufficient experience as a practicing lawyer to advise production personnel and management of legal implications of production decisions.
- Must be able to confidently research legal questions and communicate resulting analysis effectively to all levels of corporate and production staff.
- Must be able to write in a well-organized, concise, and precise manner.
- Knowledge of copyright, defamation, trademark, defamation and privacy laws.
Responsibilities
- Draft and negotiate agreements for approximately 4-5 projects in active pre-production, principal photography, or post production.
- Liaise with and supervise local counsel on international productions with respect to production-related agreements, including reviewing proposed templates to ensure they comport with HBO/HBO Max policies.
- Assist with overflow drafting of above-the-line agreements for projects in development and production.
- Update template agreements and handle other special projects as assigned by VP and/or Chief Counsel.
Benefits
- health insurance coverage
- an employee wellness program
- life and disability insurance
- a retirement savings plan
- paid holidays and sick time and vacation
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Mid Level
