VP, TV Legal Affairs

Description

Position Title: VP, TV Legal Affairs

Location: Burbank, CA

Reporting To: EVP and Head of TV Business & Legal Affairs

Legendary Entertainment is a leading media company with film (Legendary Pictures), television and digital (Legendary Television and Digital Media) and comics (Legendary Comics) divisions dedicated to owning, producing, and delivering content to worldwide audiences. Legendary has built a library of marquee media properties and has established itself as a trusted brand which consistently delivers high-quality, commercial entertainment including some of the world's most popular intellectual property. In aggregate, Legendary Pictures-associated productions have realized grosses of more than $19 billion worldwide at the box office. To learn more visit: www.legendary.com.

Summary

Legendary Entertainment is seeking a Vice President, Television Legal Affairs to draft long form agreements for development, conduct chain of title reviews, and to manage all day-to-day production legal and clearance matters throughout all phases of production for its scripted and unscripted/documentary television and streaming content. This role will support production, finance and creative teams by drafting and negotiating a wide range of agreements and providing legal guidance throughout the development and production lifecycle for each project. The ideal candidate has deep expertise in production legal affairs and thrives in a fast-paced, collaborative environment.

Responsibilities 

• Draft, negotiate, and manage the television department’s long form agreements including option/purchase agreements, co-production and co-financing agreements, production services agreements, pilot/series writer agreements, non-writing executive producer agreements, director agreements, and performer agreements.
• Draft, negotiate and manage a high volume of production-related agreements, including Location, Equipment, Vehicle, Facility, Security, Clips, VFX, Confidentiality, Certificates of Engagement, and Union/Guild related agreements and documents.
• When outside production counsel is engaged, oversee and manage activities and ensure coordination with production needs and deadlines.
• Create, maintain, and update legal templates and production guidelines for each production; lead clearance and location-related legal calls, and oversee all necessary documentation.
• Work directly with producers and crew to resolve on set issues and concerns.
• Review scripts, cuts, and marketing materials for legal and clearance issues.
• Coordinate and manage all paperwork related to tax incentives, minors, production insurance, and drone/aerial activity in collaboration with internal departments.
• Draft and negotiate nudity riders and collaborate with producers and directors to ensure compliance and sensitivity in execution.
• Register production entities with unions and guilds; manage filings and serve as the primary liaison for union-related inquiries or issues.
• Review and approve talent credits for contractual compliance; monitor licensee obligations related to credit, advertising, and promotional restrictions.
• Serve as in-house authority to advise and support creative, production, and legal teams on all aspects of production legal affairs, ensuring alignment with business goals and industry standards.

Requirements

• JD from an accredited law school and state bar admission required. CA or New York bar membership preferred.
• +7 years’ experience as an attorney (including some significant law firm work) with substantial experience working in a legal affairs department for a television production company and/or entertainment law firm handling television production legal work.
• Demonstrated ability to effectively negotiate and interact with agents, managers, producers, and outside attorneys; use strategic thinking and risk analysis to effectively advise senior management under time-sensitive conditions; and operate autonomously and manage a varied, high-volume workload efficiently.
• Comprehensive working knowledge of television industry deal structures, major guild and union agreements, contingent compensation terms and relevant copyright/trademark laws.
• Excellent drafting, negotiation, communication (written and verbal), interpersonal, organizational and computer skills.
• Results oriented, proactive, and highly responsive.
• Excellent written, presentation and verbal skills.
• Extensive hands-on experience with complex contracts.
• Collaborative and team-oriented approach.
• Demonstrated knowledge of scripted series production process.

More Information

Legendary Entertainment is an equal opportunity employer. Legendary Entertainment makes all employment decisions without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, sex, pregnancy, age, creed, physical or mental disability, medical condition, genetic characteristic, marital status, veteran status, gender identity/expression, sexual orientation or any other characteristic or classification protected by law, except as may be permitted by law.

The anticipated annual base salary for this position is $180,000 to $230,000. This range does not include any other compensation components or other benefits that an individual may be eligible for. Total rewards may include annual bonuses, short- and long-term incentives, and program-specific awards. Legendary Entertainment also provides a variety of benefits to employees, including health insurance coverage, employee wellness programs, life and disability insurance, a retirement savings plan, year-round paid holidays, and paid time off (PTO). 

The actual base salary offered depends on a variety of factors, which may include as applicable, the qualifications of the individual applicant for the position, years of relevant experience, market demands and indicators, specific and unique skills or training, level of education attained, certifications or other professional licenses held, and if applicable, the geographic location in which the applicant lives and/or from which they will be performing the job. The hiring salary range for this position applies to New York City and California.