Senior Counsel, Production Legal

About The Role & Team

The Senior Counsel on The Walt Disney Studios Production Legal Affairs team drafts and negotiates motion picture contracts, provides legal analysis and advice, and serves as production counsel to feature film development and production for theatrical and streaming content, and other original content in support of various studio initiatives.

The Senior Counsel will serve as a legal adviser and will be expected to provide guidance and direction reflecting sound judgment, vision, and legal knowledge in matters relating to motion picture development and production. The Counsel position will be working closely with other attorneys within the studio and the corporate legal department, manage and liase with outside counsel when called for, as well as providing support to, and/or manage, more junior team members.

What You Will Do

• Contribute substantial expertise and experience (both in breadth and in some specialty[ies]) to the Production Legal Affairs team, alongside the team of attorneys that provide production counsel to feature film development and production for theatrical and streaming content, and other original content.
• Provide legal analysis relating to status of rights, copyright, and other chain-of-title review; draft and negotiate rights acquisition agreements for literary rights and other third-party intellectual property; prepare releases from individuals for films based on true stories; draft and negotiate other rights agreements such as quitclaims and assignments.
• Draft and negotiate agreements for high-level directors, producers, writers, above-the-line cast, and other production personnel.
• Draft and negotiate third-party vendor agreements; agreements for consultants; leases, locations, and venue agreements; equipment rental agreements; payroll services agreements; and other production-related agreements including catering, security, animals, and animal wranglers.
• Provide counsel on various matters relating to production of feature films, including but not limited to: script/film clearances, visual effects agreements, labor relations/collective bargaining agreements, engagement of minors, immigration, customs, environmental regulations, review titles, and credits.
• Provide advice and assistance relating to high level talent agreements and production matters impacting marketing/promotions/publicity; distribution; consumer products, interactive, and other franchise considerations.
• Draft and negotiate production/financing/distribution agreements, production services agreements, lending and assignment agreements, vendor and supplier agreements, payroll services, and related corporate set-up documents; collaborate with tax and finance regarding best corporate structure for individual pictures (domestic and international).
• Draft and negotiate agreements relating to third-party co-productions, co-financing and/or distribution agreements including inter-creditor agreements, copyright mortgages, and other security agreements.
• Draft and negotiate confidentiality agreements, submission releases, and non-disclosure agreements.
  
  

Required Qualifications & Skills

• 5 years overall experience in production legal.
• Experience drafting and negotiating production contracts.
• Strong interpersonal skills, with the ability to work well in a team environment and act as a resource to colleagues. Ability to build interdepartmental relationships and drive consensus on legal matters among multiple stakeholders.
• Exceptional organizational, prioritization, and time management skills, with a proven ability to manage multiple high-priority, high-volume projects efficiently. Demonstrates strong execution in fast-paced production environments.
• Demonstrated ability to perform under intense time pressures, consistently meeting deadlines and maintaining high-quality outcomes in demanding situations.
• Demonstrated capacity to keep current on emerging business and legal trends in motion picture and television industry.
• A collegial and collaborative lawyer who brings a commitment to the creation of a positive working environment within the legal organization.
• An excellent work ethic and commitment to professionalism.
• Ability to work in an environment with a high degree of confidentiality.
  
  

Education

• Law degree from an accredited law school required
• Membership in the California State Bar Association (or willingness and qualification to be registered In-House Counsel) required
  
  

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The hiring range for this position in the Greater Los Angeles area is $174,600 to $225,800 per year. The base pay actually offered will take into account internal equity and also may vary depending on the candidate’s geographic region, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience among other factors. A bonus and/or long-term incentive units may be provided as part of the compensation package, in addition to the full range of medical, financial, and/or other benefits, dependent on the level and position offered.