Legal Counsel

Overview

A fast-growing independent studio specializing in television, film, and music production is seeking a skilled legal professional to join their team. This role involves partnering closely with senior legal leadership to support the company’s expansion across multiple entertainment sectors. The ideal candidate will combine strong legal drafting skills with strategic business insight, particularly in entertainment law, to protect the business while facilitating creative projects.

This is a remote-first position with some travel required and reports to the Chief Legal Officer.

Responsibilities

Television & Motion Picture Development

• Draft option agreements for literary works and screenplays, including animated and live-action projects.
• Conduct thorough chain of title reviews.
• Prepare development agreements for writers, producers, and showrunners.
• Draft legal documentation for network and streaming submissions, series pickups, and international co-productions.

Production Business Affairs & Talent Relations

• Draft cast and crew agreements, including above-the-line (ATL), below-the-line (BTL), and specialized contracts such as stunt and minor agreements.
• Support senior leadership by drafting production and distribution agreements.
• Provide expert guidance on labor regulations related to SAG-AFTRA, WGA, DGA, Teamsters, and IATSE.
• Review and finalize production vendor agreements.

Music Label & Intellectual Property Management

• Develop core template agreements for the music label, including contracts for artists, producers, and writers.
• Draft sync licenses, obtain music clearances, and manage master use agreements.
• Conduct fair use analyses for Errors & Omissions (E&O) compliance.
• Advise on copyright and trademark filings to protect the company’s global intellectual property.

Requirements

• Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree from an ABA-accredited law school.
• Active bar membership in good standing; California bar preferred.
• 3–5+ years of transactional legal experience, with at least 1 year in entertainment law (experience in television studios or the music industry is a significant plus).
• Strong drafting skills with the ability to translate complex commercial terms into precise legal language.
• Deep familiarity with streaming platforms, union regulations, and music industry legal frameworks.
• Ability to exercise sound judgment and work independently under demanding production timelines.
• Alignment with the mission and values of the organization.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience navigating guild agreements and labor unions such as SAG-AFTRA, WGA, DGA, Teamsters, and IATSE.
• Proven ability to provide pragmatic, business-aligned legal counsel in a fast-paced, lean studio environment.
• Passion for the intersection of faith and global entertainment.

Compensation & Benefits

• Unlimited time off plus 12 paid holidays.
• Company-paid health, dental, and vision insurance covering approximately 85% of monthly health coverage costs, including dependents.
• 401(k) plan with up to 6% company match.
• Paid parental leave for new mothers and fathers.
• Employer-paid life, long-term disability (LTD), and short-term disability (STD) insurance.
• Merchandise discounts for employees and their families.
• Wellness perks to support health and well-being.
• Opportunities to travel for internal events such as premieres, conventions, and staff retreats, as well as on-set visits.
• Provision of the latest Apple technology for home office setup.

Location

Remote-first position with some travel required.