VP, Legal Affairs, Paramount Television Studios

Paramount•Los Angeles, CA

4d•$215,000 - $260,000

About The Position

The Vice President, Legal Affairs will be a key leader in Paramount Television Studios' (PTVSs) Legal Affairs group, playing an essential role in the development, production, and distribution/licensing of the studio's scripted television content. Responsible for structuring and documenting complex deals for the studios projects, with a primary focus on content intended for sale and licensing to various third-party platforms. The VP will works closely with senior attorneys to oversee 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. This position requires deep transactional skills, a sophisticated understanding of the evolving content landscape, an ability to manage multiple high-stakes matters simultaneously, and an impressive balance of legal expertise and business acumen delivered with a positive attitude while protecting the company's interests. The VP will be critical in protecting the studio's interests, mitigating legal risk, and advising senior executives on strategic business and legal matters.

Requirements

12 years' legal affairs experience drafting a wide range of commercial transactional documents and contracts on scripted television development and production at a television studio
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
Supervisory experience
Extensive experience with intellectual property law (copyright and trademark)
Exemplary drafting skills
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 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.
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.
Team Management: Manage and develop junior attorneys, contract managers and administrators, overseeing their work product and professional development.
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.
Litigation, Rights Management & IP: Partner with internal IP, Rights Management and Litigation teams, as well as outside counsel, on rights matters, potential disputes, 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.