Counsel, Production & Development, Scripted Programming

Job Description

Hiring Salary Range: $145,000.00 - 165,000.00

BET Networks, a subsidiary of Paramount Global, is the nation's leading provider of quality entertainment, music, news, and public affairs television programming for the African-American audience. The primary BET channel reaches more than 90 million households and can be seen in the United States, Canada, the Caribbean, the United Kingdom, and sub-Saharan Africa. BET is the dominant African-American consumer brand with a diverse group of business extensions: BET.com, a leading Internet destination for Black entertainment, music, culture and news; BET HER, a 24-hour entertainment network targeting the African-American Woman; BET Music Networks - BET Jams, BET Soul and BET Gospel; BET Home Entertainment; BET Live, BET's growing festival business; BET Mobile, which provides ringtones, games and video content for wireless devices; and BET International, which operates BET around the globe.
Overview and Responsibilities

We are seeking a Counsel to join our BET legal team. In this role, you will handle a heavy volume of production and development related scripted work for BET Networks, BET+, and BET Studios, which will develop and produce original content and license studio programs to internal and external platforms.
• Structuring, drafting and negotiating agreements involving the development and production of original, licensed, and co-produced scripted television programs including, series, mini-series, and ''movies-of-the-week.'' These agreements will include, without limitation, talent agreements (including test-option agreements), writer agreements (including creators and staff writers), director agreements, rights agreements (life-rights, book option etc.), overall agreements, first look/right agreements, and production company agreements.
• Overseeing and providing on- and off-set advice to third-party production companies, producers, and creative executives on development- and production-related matters and legal analysis;
• Working with internal departments (e.g., talent, music & media licensing, labor and employment, risk management, intellectual property & litigation, accounting/finance, press/publicity, and digital) in connection with legal concerns that may arise with production and development and to ensure compliance with BET Studios and BET Networks policies and procedures;
• Performing other day-to-day legal and business affairs-related tasks as needed and assigned by the Senior Vice President, Business and Legal Affairs.

Basic Qualifications
• At least 3 years of equivalent experience (including in a law firm and/or in a business and/or legal affairs department at a network, major studio, or OTT/streaming service or network) with demonstrable scripted deal-making experience.
• Qualified candidates must be members of the California or New York Bar.

Additional Qualifications
• Excellent negotiating and drafting skills.
• Proficient in entertainment transactions and day-to-day legal challenges faced by scripted television productions.
• Ability to analyze fact patterns and devise creative solutions that allow executives to implement their creative vision while minimizing overall risk.
• Excellent knowledge concerning union (SAG-AFTRA, WGA, DGA, IATSE) and non-union issues and working knowledge of labor and employment law issues, music clearances, intellectual property law, risk management issues and rights of publicity and privacy.
• Excellent attention to detail and organizational skills with the ability to prioritize a high-volume workload efficiently and smoothly.
• Excellent communication (written and oral) and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to proactively collaborate with client group members, provide guidance, and make strategic recommendations in deal-making.
• Excellent industry relationships and a proactive approach to building relationships with television agents, entertainment lawyers, and other entertainment professionals.
• A cooperative, positive, team-oriented spirit!

#LI-hybrid

Paramount is an equal opportunity employer (EOE) including disability/vet.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

The hiring salary range for this position applies to New York City, California, Colorado, Washington state, and most other geographies. Starting pay for the successful applicant depends on a variety of job-related factors, including but not limited to geographic location, market demands, experience, training, and education. The benefits available for this position include medical, dental, vision, 401(k) plan, life insurance coverage, disability benefits, tuition assistance program and PTO or, if applicable, as otherwise dictated by the appropriate Collective Bargaining Agreement.

Jobcode: Reference SBJ-rvn1vm-18-222-10-9-42 in your application.