Senior Counsel, Legal Affairs, Paramount Television Studios

Paramount•Los Angeles, CA

53d

About The Position

The Senior Counsel, Legal Affairs will be a key leader in Paramount Television Studios' Legal Affairs group and play an essential role in the development, production, and distribution/licensing of the studio's scripted television content. Structure and document complex deals for the studios projects, with a primary focus on content intended for sale and licensing to various third-party broadcasters, cable networks, and streaming platforms. The Senior Counsel works closely with other staff attorneys to handle legal affairs primarily related to PTVSs domestic and international content development, production and delivery. This position is a hands-on position working directly with the relevant business divisions. Strong transactional skills, a sophisticated understanding of the evolving content landscape, an ability to manage multiple high-stakes matters simultaneously, and a great balance of legal expertise and business acumen required. Critical in protecting the studio's interests, mitigating legal risk, and advising executives on strategic business and legal matters. Reports to the VP, Legal Affairs.

Requirements

8+ years' experience drafting and/or negotiating a wide range of commercial transactional documents and contracts on scripted television development and production at a major production company, television studio, network, streamer, or top-tier entertainment law firm
Juris Doctorate (J.D.) degree from an accredited law school
California Bar Membership (in good standing) or eligibility to register as in-house counsel in California
Working knowledge of major WGA, DGA, and SAG-AFTRA collective bargaining agreements
Extensive experience with intellectual property law (copyright and trademark)
Exemplary drafting and/or negotiation skills with high attention to detail

Nice To Haves

Top-notch communication skills, judgment, and strategic analysis
Impressive interpersonal and presentation skills, with the ability to communicate skillfully with internal and external stakeholders at all levels
Demonstrated ability to oversee multiple projects simultaneously

Responsibilities

Deal Structuring: Lead and/or assist in the drafting of a wide range of complex agreements essential to scripted television, including:
Acquisitions: Rights/Underlying Property acquisitions (e.g., life rights, book options/purchases).
Above-the-Line Talent: Deals for A-list writers, producers (overall deals), directors, and principal cast.
Production & Co-Production: Domestic and international co-production agreements, financing, and production services agreements.
Licensing & Distribution: Deals for the sale/license of studio-produced content to third-party platforms (e.g., streamers, networks) and international distributors.
Legal Counsel & Risk Management: Provide timely, practical and strategic legal advice to the Development, Production, and Finance teams regarding legal risks, rights analysis, chain-of-title, intellectual property, clearances, and guild/union compliance (WGA, DGA, SAG-AFTRA). Identify and evaluate business and legal risks and find creative resolutions that mitigate risk while achieving business goals.
Policy & Procedure: Develop and implement best practices, forms, and legal policies to increase efficiency and maintain a high standard of legal compliance across all studio operations.
Rights Management & IP: Partner with internal IP and Rights Management teams, as well as outside counsel, on rights matters, copyright and trademark matters, and clearance issues.
Capacity: Proven ability to oversee a high volume of transactions while prioritizing key deadlines across various business teams.