Senior Counsel, Animation

Job Description

SENIOR COUNSEL, ANIMATION

SENIOR COUNSEL, ANIMATION

The Sony Pictures Entertainment (SPE) Legal department is seeking a production attorney to support Sony Pictures Animation (SPA). This position entails the drafting and negotiating of contracts in connection with the development, production and distribution of animated motion picture and television series, including term and employee agreements, working closely with senior business executives and outside counsel.

Responsibilities
• Draft and negotiate above-the-line agreements including rights, producers, directors, writers, and voice talent for features, streaming and television series
• Negotiate and draft agreements including vendors and production services companies, including all technical specs, insurance and delivery requirements to support the SPA creative teams
• Draft below the line agreements including NDAs, consultants, international consultants and independent contractors, releases and other key crew, as well as other production related agreements
• Interact with business affairs executives, production executives, and other internal groups
• Handle legal issues that arise in connection with motion picture and television series development and production
• Advise on SAG and IATSE related issues
• Review chain of title documents, prepare chain of title documentation, and identify any rights issues
• Identify and implement improvements to forms and processes, update, and manage templates for development and production agreements
• Other matters as needed at the direction of the department's Senior Vice President

Qualifications
• Strong drafting, negotiation, and organizational skills; experience drafting and negotiating all manner of contracts for development and production deals
• Excellent presentation skills and communication skills, both written and verbal
• Professional individual who can build strong relationships, both internally and externally, and is able to comfortably interact with all levels of employees
• Senior Counsel: 6+ years relevant production legal experience with a studio or entertainment law firm
• Knowledge of contract law and legal issues specific to entertainment law (e.g., production and intellectual property issues)
• Capacity to review agreements and trouble-spot legal issues and explain complex concepts to business and creative executives
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively, learn and understand Company policies and procedures
• Member in good standing of the California Bar

Desired Qualities
• Talent for research and the initiative to analyze legal questions to present potential solutions
• Proactively identify, prioritize and resolve legal issues quickly and effectively
• Experience working in animation a plus
• Knowledge of production pipeline

* Sony Pictures - CA - Culver City Area & Studios

Jobcode: Reference SBJ-d500o3-18-118-140-108-42 in your application.