Associate Legal Counsel

SPECIFIC RESPONSIBILITIES: Development: Drafting option/purchase agreements (and option/quitclaim agreements), option extension letters/amendments, writer agreements, director agreements, producer agreements, copyright assignment agreements, novation agreements, turnaround letters, certificates of engagement, licence agreements, services agreements, publisher’s quitclaims, co-development and co-production agreements and acting agreements. Projects in pre-production/production/post-production: Drafting (or assisting outside production counsel in doing the same, if applicable), script consultation services agreements, production service agreements, HOD agreements, PACT/Equity cast forms of engagement, minor agreements, VFX agreements, composer agreements, consultancy agreements, location agreements, clearance documentation (including footage licence agreements, prop releases, likeness releases etc.) and any and all other contracts in connection with film/television production. Negotiating and finalising the terms of any of the above agreement documents with agents / lawyers in line with WT’s policies and practices. GENERAL RESPONSIBILITIES: Creating precedent agreements, drafting forms and legal templates for internal use and updating existing precedent agreements /drafting forms in line with policy changes as and when required by the department (or Universal) across both TV and Film. Conducting detailed chain of title reviews with respect to certain development projects. Conducting legal research using PLC and/or other legal databases and summarising the salient points. Preparing accurate and succinct deal summaries (or above the line budget charges) as required. Attending internal business-finance meetings with the Finance team and creating/following up on a list of action points. Liaising with the Contracts Executive where required (e.g., updating internal trackers). Consulting with other lawyers at Universal (e.g., in Labor Relations, IP or Litigation) where certain bespoke drafting may be required or specialist advice is needed. Attending PBAC meetings on behalf of WT and updating the team on any key developments across film and/or TV. Managing/liaising with the Contracts Executive regarding execution of agreements, including by way of DocuSign. Stay current on entertainment law developments, union/guild regulations (SAG-AFTRA, WGA, DGA, etc.), and industry best practices.