Legal Counsel

WME | William Morris Endeavor•New York, NY

1d•Onsite

About The Position

WME Group seeks a talented and highly motivated Legal Counsel to join its Legal and Business Affairs team supporting the Brand Strategy division of WME. This position is located in New York, NY and reports to the Senior Vice President, Associate General Counsel. The ideal candidate brings strong transactional experience from a top law firm and/or in-house legal department, including commercial transactions, advertising, sponsorship and digital experience. Key Areas of Focus: Entertainment Marketing & Advisory: Partner with senior leaders on entertainment-driven marketing initiatives, including advising on brand integrations, partnerships, and strategic campaigns tied to film, television, and broader media ecosystems. Properties & Sponsorship: Support executives within the WME Brand Strategy department to execute of deals related to the commercialization of third party rights and sponsorships. Strategic Partnerships & Retainer-Based Deals: Lead legal support for high-value, long-term commercial relationships, including innovative brand partnerships, product placement, retainer engagements and content-driven collaborations (e.g., campaigns tied to major film releases or IP-driven initiatives).

Requirements

JD from an ABA-accredited law school.
Active membership in the New York State Bar, in good standing, is required.
Minimum of 5 years of relevant legal experience, with a strong preference for candidates with experience in entertainment, media, sports, or an agency environment.
Demonstrated experience independently leading complex commercial transactions and advising business stakeholders.
Strong familiarity with advertising, marketing, intellectual property, and digital media legal frameworks.
Proven ability to assess risk, provide clear recommendations, and influence decision-making at multiple levels of the organization.
Ability to manage multiple priorities and operate effectively in a fast-paced, evolving environment.
Exceptional drafting, negotiation, and analytical skills, with a strong attention to detail.
Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to translate complex legal concepts into practical business guidance.
Collaborative, solutions-oriented mindset with a strong sense of ownership and accountability.

Nice To Haves

strong transactional experience from a top law firm and/or in-house legal department, including commercial transactions, advertising, sponsorship and digital experience.

Responsibilities

Lead the drafting, negotiation, and execution of a wide range of complex commercial agreements, including agency, consulting, master services, talent, influencer, representation, licensing, creative services, sponsorship, vendor, marketing and digital services agreements.
Serve as a primary legal and business affairs partner to business teams, providing strategic, solutions-oriented guidance across high-profile Brand Strategy initiatives.
Advise senior stakeholders with actionable guidance on legal and business risks including intellectual property, FTC and guild compliance considerations.
Independently manage contractual obligations, including interpreting key provisions, ensuring compliance, and advising on exclusivity and conflict considerations.
Partner cross-functionally with business, finance, and compliance teams to support deal structuring and execution for complex, multi-faceted engagements.
Provide timely and practical legal advice on contract interpretation, enforcement, and risk mitigation.
Implementing and refining contract-administration and document-management processes.
Fostering positive long-term relationships with the company’s clients and customers.
Support strategic initiatives and special projects as needed.