Legal Counsel, Business and Legal Affairs

Job Description

About 5&2 Studios

5&2 Studios connects people around the world to stories from the Bible through uniquely human and authentic storytelling. Founded by Dallas Jenkins following the global success of The Chosen, 5&2 has expanded into producing both scripted and unscripted series, an animated series, and an expansive library of digital content. The independent studio also manages its own distribution, marketing, studio facilities, and consumer product line. 5&2 Studios is growing rapidly with all of the opportunities and challenges that presents to executives who join 5&2 Studios early. This role reports to the VP, Business Affairs, and is remote with occasional travel to production locations and company events.

About the Role

Are you a highly skilled entertainment attorney with a passion for the dynamic world of television and motion pictures? Do you thrive in a fast-paced environment where your legal expertise directly contributes to bringing compelling stories to life?

At 5&2 Studios, we're seeking an exceptionalLegal Counsel, Business and Legal Affairs, to support the VP, Business Affairs in all areas of content creation and distribution. This position is expected to provide expert legal counsel, conduct negotiations, and offer strategic guidance across every stage of content creation. From the spark of an idea in development to the final credits in distribution, you’ll be an indispensable partner to our VP, Business Affairs, acting as a crucial link between our legal team, creative executives, production crews, and external partners.

This role isn't just about providing legal advice and drafting and managing documents; it's about expertly navigating the intricate legal and commercial landscapes of the entertainment industry on behalf of a studio that is charting its own path. You'll need an expert command of big studio/network/streaming platform business and legal requirements, union contracts, complex intellectual property law, and be able to perform these duties at the demanding pace of film and TV cycles. If you're organized, highly detail-oriented, and excel at managing multiple high-priority projects under tight deadlines, you'll thrive here.

This is a unique opportunity to be meaningfully engaged in all facets of entertainment law and business affairs, growing your career within a truly dynamic, independent and creative environment. Your legal and business prowess will directly impact our ability to develop, produce, and distribute groundbreaking television and motion picture content in both traditional and creative ways.

What You'll Own…

As Legal Counsel, Business and Legal Affairs, you will be responsible for providing expert business and legal guidance and execution across the content lifecycle:

Television and Motion Picture Development Business and Legal Affairs (30%)

You'll be instrumental in securing the rights to our next big stories.

• Project Acquisition & Rights Management: Prepare and execute negotiation strategies in coordination with the VP, Business Affairs. Draft and finalize option agreements for a wide range of properties, from literary works and screenplays to life rights. Conduct and oversee complex chain of title reviews and rights clearance research to ensure seamless acquisition and maintain comprehensive databases of all our optioned properties.

• Development Deal Structuring (Television - Primary Focus): Draft, negotiate, and finalize development agreements for writers, producers, and show runners, and other above-the-line talent. Review and advise on development budgets from a business perspective.

• Development Deal Structuring (Motion Pictures - Secondary Focus): Provide similar drafting and negotiation skills for screenwriters, producers, and directors in the feature film space.

• Network/Streaming Platform & Studio/Distributor Interface: Prepare and manage legal documentation for submissions, work with the VP, Business Affairs in negotiations for development commitments, pilot orders, series pickups, and distribution agreements. Coordinate with Standards & Practices and the MPAA to ensure legal content compliance requirements, and manage legal aspects of international co-productions.

Production Business and Legal Affairs (35%)

You'll participate in all aspects of business and legal affairs as projects move into production.

• Talent Contract Management (Television – Primary Focus): Independently draft, negotiate, and finalize comprehensive agreements for series regulars, recurring characters, guest stars, and minor performers, ensuring compliance with state laws like the Coogan Act. Handle specialized stunt performer contracts.

• Talent Contract Management (Motion Picture – Secondary Focus): Negotiate and draft comprehensive agreements for above-the-line talent including lead actors, supporting cast, and featured performers, as well as director and producer contracts.

• Above-the-Line Negotiations: Maintain strong relationships with talent representatives and handle negotiations of complex agreements for Executive Producers, Directors, and Show runners (TV) and Marquee Talent, Directors, and Producers (Film). Drafting all of these contracts when negotiations are complete.

• Union Compliance & Labor Relations: Serve as a legal liaison with SAG-AFTRA, WGA, DGA, and IATSE on contract interpretations, residuals, and working conditions. Oversee the management of reports, contributions, and guild notifications, and provide legal assistance with O-1 Visa applications.

• Production Support Services: Lead negotiation and legal review of location agreements, manage vendor contracts, coordinate with the Finance Department on insurance matters, and provide critical24/7 emergency legal counsel during production.

Post-Production & Distribution Business and Legal Affairs (20%)

You'll help guide our content to audiences worldwide.

• Delivery & Compliance: Manage and coordinate legal deliverables for network/streaming/studio and international delivery, including chain of title documentation, music cue sheets, and E&O insurance. Oversee archive documentation and residual administration.

• Distribution & Licensing: Participate in negotiations for domestic and international distribution agreements for both television and motion pictures, including format licensing, remake/sequel rights, international sales, and ancillary rights.

Intellectual Property & Clearances (10%)

You'll safeguard our creative assets.

• Content Clearances: Lead and advise on music clearances (e.g., synchronization, master use), conduct fair use analysis, and coordinate with E&O insurance carriers.

• IP Protection: Manage the intellectual property portfolio, including strategic advice on copyright registrations and trademark applications for titles, characters, and merchandising properties, while implementing trade secret protection protocols.

Administrative & Strategic Support (5%)

You'll ensure our legal operations are efficient.

• Contract Administration: Oversee and strategically manage comprehensive contract databases with automated alert systems, process amendments, and assist with financial audits.

• Strategic Advisory: Advise the VP, Business Affairs, internal stakeholders, and executive leadership on complex business and legal issues, including contract interpretation, dispute resolution, and compliance matters.

• Industry Expertise: Remain current and up to date on developing issues of law, guild agreements, and other training necessary to perform the basic responsibilities of your employment.

• 
  

This Job Might Be for You If…

• You possess an expert command and practical application of the television and motion picture industry’s legal landscape, including network/streaming platform requirements, union regulations, and complex intellectual property law.

• You demonstrate exceptional organizational skills and attention to detail, capable of leading multiple high-priority projects simultaneously with accuracy under tight deadlines.

• You exhibit proven expertise in complex contract negotiation, drafting, and interpretation, with an exceptional ability to craft and analyze intricate entertainment agreements.

• You possess advanced legal research skills and can apply comprehensive regulatory knowledge across entertainment industry standards.

• You are adept at proactively identifying, assessing, and mitigating complex legal and business risks, while consistently proposing innovative and pragmatic solutions within business and creative constraints.

• You have deep legal expertise and operational understanding of the development and production processes for both television and film.

• You excel at stakeholder management, effectively communicating and influencing creative executives, producers, talent representatives, and external partners.

• You thrive in a fast-paced, high-pressure environment and can adapt quickly to changing schedules and last-minute deal changes.

• You exhibit exceptional discretion and judgment when handling sensitive information, unreleased content, and high-profile talent matters.

• You're committed to ongoing professional development and staying current with industry trends and legal advancements.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications

• Education: Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree from an ABA-accredited law school. Active membership in good standing of the bar of at least one state (California, New York, or DC preferred).

• Professional Experience: Minimum5 years of legal experience as a practicing attorney, with at least 3 years specifically focused on transactional entertainment law within the Television and Motion Picture industry (e.g., in-house at a production company, network, streaming platform, studio, or a reputable entertainment law firm). Demonstrated experience leading negotiations and providing expert legal counsel on television/film development and production legal processes. Deep familiarity with SAG-AFTRA, WGA, DGA, and IATSE agreements and procedures.

• Technical Competencies: Proficiency with Contract Management Systems, Legal Research platforms, advanced Microsoft Office Suite (especially Excel), and Document Management systems.

Preferred Qualifications

• Advanced Industry Experience:

• 6+ years total legal experience with a minimum of 5 years in television studio legal affairs (seller of content).

• Direct experience drafting and negotiating with major networks (ABC, CBS, NBC, FOX) and streaming platforms (Amazon, Netflix, Hulu, Apple TV+, HBO), as well as major studios (Disney, Warner Bros., Universal, Sony, Paramount) and independent distributors.

• Familiarity with international co-productions, format licensing, foreign sales, and global distribution.

• Specialized Legal Knowledge:

• Advanced knowledge of SAG-AFTRA, WGA, DGA, and IATSE agreements, including complex union negotiations and dispute resolution.

• Experience with music clearances (legal aspects), fair use analysis, intellectual property licensing, and chain of title issues.

• Knowledge of FCC regulations, MPAA rating system, and entertainment tax incentive programs.

• Technical & Software Proficiency: Proficiency with industry-specific software. Experience with advanced database management and financial analysis for profit participation.

• Continuing Education: Advanced legal specialization or certifications in entertainment, media, or intellectual property law. Recent continuing legal education in relevant emerging areas (e.g., AI in media, streaming platform regulations).

Jobcode: Reference SBJ-k22jpk-216-73-216-0-42 in your application.