Paramount is hiring: Senior Counsel, Legal Affairs, Paramount Television Studios

The Senior Counsel, Legal Affairs will be a key leader in Paramount Television Studios' Legal Affairs group and play an essential role in the development, production, and distribution/licensing of the studio's scripted television content. The role structures and documents complex deals for studio projects, focusing on content intended for sale and licensing to third‑party broadcasters, cable networks, and streaming platforms. The Senior Counsel works closely with other staff attorneys to handle legal affairs related to PTVS's domestic and international content development, production, and delivery. The position is hands‑on, working directly with relevant business divisions. Strong transactional skills, a sophisticated understanding of the evolving content landscape, the ability to manage multiple high‑stakes matters simultaneously, and a balance of legal expertise and business acumen are required. This role protects the studio's interests, mitigates legal risk, and advises executives on strategic business and legal matters. The Senior Counsel reports to the VP, Legal Affairs.

Overview & Responsibilities

• Deal Structuring: Lead and/or assist in drafting a wide range of complex agreements essential to scripted television, including:
  • Acquisitions: Rights/Underlying Property acquisitions (e.g., life rights, book options/purchases).
  • Above‑the‑Line Talent: Deals for A‑list writers, producers (overall deals), directors, and principal cast.
  • Production & Co‑Production: Domestic and international co‑production agreements, financing, and production services agreements.
  • Licensing & Distribution: Deals for the sale/license of studio‑produced content to third‑party platforms and international distributors.
• Legal Counsel & Risk Management: Provide timely, practical, and strategic legal advice to the Development, Production, and Finance teams regarding legal risks, rights analysis, chain‑of‑title, intellectual property, clearances, and guild/union compliance (WGA, DGA, SAG‑AFTRA). Identify and evaluate business and legal risks and find creative resolutions that mitigate risk while achieving business goals.
• Policy & Procedure: Develop and implement best practices, forms, and legal policies to increase efficiency and maintain a high standard of legal compliance across all studio operations.
• Rights Management & IP: Partner with internal IP and Rights Management teams, as well as outside counsel, on rights matters, copyright and trademark matters, and clearance issues.
• Capacity: Proven ability to oversee a high volume of transactions while prioritizing key deadlines across various business teams.

Basic Qualifications

• 8+ years' experience drafting and/or negotiating a wide range of commercial transactional documents and contracts on scripted television development and production at a major production company, television studio, network, streamer, or top‑tier entertainment law firm.
• Juris Doctorate (J.D.) degree from an accredited law school.
• California Bar Membership (in good standing) or eligibility to register as in‑house counsel in California.
• Working knowledge of major WGA, DGA, and SAG‑AFTRA collective bargaining agreements.
• Extensive experience with intellectual property law (copyright and trademark).
• Exemplary drafting and/or negotiation skills with high attention to detail.

Additional Qualifications

• Top‑notch communication skills, judgment, and strategic analysis.
• Impressive interpersonal and presentation skills, with the ability to communicate skillfully with internal and external stakeholders at all levels.
• Demonstrated ability to oversee multiple projects simultaneously.

Additional Information

Hiring Salary Range: $170,000.00 – $195,000.00. The hiring salary range for this position applies to New York, 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. This position is bonus eligible.

What We Offer:

• Attractive compensation and comprehensive benefits packages.
• Generous paid time off.
• An exciting and fulfilling opportunity to be part of one of Paramount’s most dynamic teams.
• Opportunities for both on‑site and virtual engagement events.
• Unique opportunities to make meaningful connections and build a vibrant community, both inside and outside the workplace.

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

At Paramount, the spirit of inclusion feeds into everything that we do, on‑screen and off. From the programming and movies we create to employee benefits/programs and social impact outreach initiatives, we believe that opportunity, access, resources, and rewards should be available to and for the benefit of all. Paramount is proud to be an equal‑opportunity workplace. We are committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, color, ethnicity, ancestry, religion, creed, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship status, marital status, disability, gender identity, gender expression, and Veteran status.

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