Overview
A leading modern media organization is seeking a Senior Counsel specializing in litigation and disputes to join their Legal and Business Affairs team. This role focuses on managing the company’s disputes and claims, including copyright, defamation, privacy, commercial claims, and third-party subpoenas, as well as supervising outside counsel for litigation matters.
Responsibilities
- Oversee and handle a wide range of claims and disputes, including defamation, copyright, trademark, privacy, employment, and commercial matters.
- Lead responses to copyright and other pre-litigation disputes by coordinating internal fact-gathering, researching relevant law, and negotiating and reviewing settlement agreements.
- Manage outside counsel in active litigation and other matters, reviewing pleadings and drafts to ensure efficient and strategic case handling aligned with business and reputational priorities.
- Lead e-discovery and document preservation processes, including issuing legal holds and managing document collection.
- Develop and refine workflows for preservation and production from platforms such as Gmail, Slack, and Google Drive, collaborating with IT and other teams to ensure compliance.
- Respond to subpoenas and other third-party legal processes by evaluating scope, coordinating fact gathering and document collection, and ensuring timely and appropriate responses.
- Coordinate with insurance brokers and carriers to submit claims, respond to adjusters, and ensure appropriate coverage.
- Research and monitor developments in relevant laws and implement internal practices and policies to maintain compliance with applicable local, state, and federal regulations.
- Assist with other legal matters or projects as needed.
- Collaborate with editorial, HR, finance, operations, and executive teams to mitigate legal risks and develop proactive solutions.
Requirements
- Juris Doctor (JD) from an accredited law school and licensed to practice law in good standing.
- Minimum of 4 years of relevant experience, including prior law firm experience and at least two years in an in-house legal role.
- Experience handling copyright claims.
- Excellent written and oral communication skills with the ability to explain complex legal issues clearly to non-lawyers.
- Strategic and critical thinker capable of collaborating across departments.
- Strong interpersonal skills and attention to detail.
- Creative problem solver with sound judgment and a sense of curiosity.
- Ability to work independently and collaboratively.
- Resourceful and proactive, balancing legal risk with practical business needs.
- Ability to manage multiple high-priority projects and deadlines under pressure.
Preferred Location
This position is preferably based in Washington, DC or New York but can be remote or regional to either location to allow for periodic travel to company offices.
Compensation & Benefits
- Salary range: $159,000 to $175,000 USD annually.
- This is a permanent, full-time, benefits-eligible position.
- Comprehensive benefits are provided to support employees at various stages of life.
Equal Opportunity
The organization is an Equal Opportunity Employer and considers qualified applicants without regard to race, color, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, religion, disability, national origin, protected veteran status, age, or any other status protected by applicable law. Reasonable accommodations are provided during the application process for candidates with disabilities.