Senior Counsel, International TV Production

Job Description

Senior Counsel, Warner Bros International TV Production (12 month FTC)

We currently have an opportunity for a lawyer with international experience of creating, acquiring and distributing television formats, programs and related IP to join the Commercial Legal Department, supporting Warner Bros. International Television Production (WBITVP) on a 12 month FTC.

Essential role responsibilities:
• To structure, draft and negotiate option agreements, format license agreements, finished program license agreements and deal memos (with both third party and internal licensees) reflecting WBITVP's strategy and practices for the licensing of television formats, finished programs and the production of local programming by local broadcasters and producers throughout the world
• To draft and negotiate agreements required to acquire third party formats and finished programs reflecting the agreed terms as dictated by WBITVP's strategy and practices
• To structure, draft and negotiate development funding agreements and other bespoke agreements for pilots, sizzles, scripts and production hubs, including working with the WM Tax department to enable WBITVP and its production companies to structure such arrangements
• To maintain and update from time-to-time WBITVP's Format Licensing Policy, and work with the business team to ensure local operating companies are complying with it
• To advise the digital team in respect of exploitation of WBITVP content on social media platforms (including YouTube and Facebook) and work with the digital team to devise, update and implement digital strategies to apply across WBITVP
• To advise and conduct due diligence on potential licensees and local productions to ensure compliance with applicable anti-corruption laws including the US Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, the UK Bribery Act, OFAC and EU sanctions
• To provide regular reporting to internal and external participations teams and advise on participations obligations (including to WGA)
• To liaise with rights admin, sales admin, contract admin and finance departments to ensure format and finished program rights and licenses are correctly recorded and administered
• To liaise with Studios & Networks legal teams in LA in order to research and advise on underlying rights issues in connection with the clearance of current and library television formats and programming
• To liaise with the WM Trademarks team to ensure that WBITVP local registrations are updated
• To deal with format infringement issues and discrepancies in chain of title of underlying rights
• Advise on ad-hoc production related agreements where assistance required – production services/commissioning agreements, co-production agreements, co-development agreements, scripted program distribution agreements
• Maintain and update templates

What we're looking for:
• Qualified solicitor/barrister with 8+ years Post Qualification Experience
• Extensive experience in drafting and negotiating international format licensing or rights acquisitions required
• Must be well versed in the IP protection of formats internationally
• Experience gained with an international distribution company or a major law firm strongly preferred
• Must be able to build strong internal client relationships, effectively advise senior-level executives and produce high client satisfaction through practical and strategic thinking
• Must be able to evaluate and assess risks under tight time frames
• Must be able to work independently and juggle multiple projects

Many of our staff work flexibly in many different ways, including flexible hours or an element of working remotely. Please talk to us at interview about the flexibility you need.
We are committed to creating both a workforce and content that are as diverse as the global audiences we serve. See what we are doing for Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging here at WarnerMedia: https://www.warnermedia.com.diversity

Jobcode: Reference SBJ-gwxk0y-3-145-23-123-42 in your application.