Senior Counsel

Is this the role for you?  

Provide legal counsel and business advice, and draft, review and negotiate documents in connection with Paramount Pictures International Theatrical and Home Entertainment marketing and distribution operations, mainly in Europe. This position will report to the Vice President, Legal Affairs (London) and will be part of a four-lawyer team in London and Paris who form part of the Legal Affairs group of Paramount, with a reporting line into the Senior Vice President, Legal Affairs located in Los Angeles. This position has no supervisory responsibility. 

What will you be doing?  

Prepare, review and negotiate a wide variety of agreements related to the distribution of motion pictures including:  

• Draft motion picture license/distribution agreements and acquisition agreements (i.e. rights in and out) 

• Draft exhibitor agreements and assist with exhibitor credit collection and insolvency matters 

• Advise on regulatory matters, including competition law and commercial agency law 

• Provide training to Paramount’s local offices, including with respect to competition law 

• Assist with queries relating to Paramount’s theatrical distribution joint venture, including in relation to marketing and compliance matters 

• Assist on the localization of Paramount titles (e.g. dubbing contributor agreements and star talent agreements)  

• Provide various legal services related to the marketing and promotion of Paramount’s motion pictures and other content including:   

• Draft and negotiate a wide range of marketing agreements, including:  vendor agreements relating to creative content production, interactive and digital services, live events, media buying, data services, publicity and awards consulting, artwork commissions, photographer engagements and venue rentals; promotion and sponsorship agreements for co-promotions, premiere sponsorships, co-branded ad-spots; influencer agreements; and releases 

• Advise on intellectual property and content clearance issues for trailers/spots, print and online advertising, and value-added content 

• Provide counsel on industry-specific marketing issues, including advertising regulation (e.g. the CAP Code in the UK), contests/sweepstakes and GDPR/privacy matters 

• Provide practical risk assessment and risk reduction solutions for marketing executives with respect to live publicity events/stunts, promotions and content production 

• Provide advice and prepare documentation with respect to corporate, regulatory, data privacy, tax and other related matters (non-contentious and contentious) in coordination with other Paramount departments and outside counsel 

1. Assist on a range of general issues and provide other services relating to the international theatrical and home media marketing and distribution of motion picture product and other content in EMEA, including:  

2. Partner with Paramount lawyers and paralegal staff in LA 

3. Establish and foster business relationships with clients from multiple divisions and jurisdictions 

4. Conduct ad-hoc legal, contract and rights research projects 

5. Instruct and manage outside counsel (including in overseas territories) as required 

6. Provide day-to-day legal support to Paramount’s local offices, mainly in Europe 

What are we looking for?  

• Ability, on a consistent basis, to function under substantial time pressure and to meet the demands set by the company, managing a high-volume workload efficiently and effectively in accordance with client priorities 

• Ability to work in partnership with the company’s business areas, including local and LA-based distribution, operations, sales, marketing, business development, privacy, finance, tax and technology teams  

• Ability to communicate effectively and interact positively and professionally with all levels of management and staff, including regular collaboration with senior management in Europe and Los Angeles, business partners as well as outside vendors and other third parties 

• Ability to multi-task across both distribution and marketing matters in a manner that moves multiple projects forward concurrently 

• Ability to work independently, exercise good judgment and make sound decisions 

• Ability to work productively in an office that is part of a larger international legal and business organization, with a teamwork-oriented attitude 

• Ability to perform the duties and responsibilities set forth above in a consistent and efficient manner 

• Ability to balance the use of tried and tested solutions with the need for creative alternatives 

• Excellent writing skills, including strong “plain language” drafting, as well as excellent analytical, negotiation and interpersonal skills  

• Excellent technical ability and up-to-date legal knowledge, including familiarity with general contract law and UK and European data protection legislation  

Educational, Professional and Experience Requirements: 

• The completion of a law degree (or completion of the PgDL / CPE after an initial degree), and maintenance of all admission and certification requirements to practice law in England and Wales, including an up-to-date practising certificate 

• Outstanding academic credentials   

• Not fewer than 8 years’ PQE (including a minimum of 2 years’ PQE at a top law firm) with experience in an IP/media-related practice area, including marketing experience (preferred), or in a commercial, corporate or other practice area with a predominant focus on contract drafting 

• Experience and working knowledge in the following fields of law: commercial contracts and intellectual property/copyright (essential); general entertainment, marketing, data protection and competition law (preferred)  

Desirable Attributes / Experience: 

• Familiarity with legal practice relevant to the licensing/distribution of motion pictures 

• Experience in the field of marketing, including familiarity with the CAP code (and other advertising regulations) and issues related to social media marketing 

• Foreign language skills (Spanish would be particularly helpful)  

• Time spent at a motion picture studio and/or handling major studio legal and business affairs work, including marketing, international licensing/distribution and related areas  

Founded in 1912, Paramount Pictures works with talented filmmakers to produce and distribute entertainment around the world. The film studio’s iconic logo has opened some of the most successful and beloved films in cinematic history, including timeless classics such as The Godfather, Chinatown, Forrest Gump and Titanic; and blockbuster franchises such as Star Trek, Transformers, Mission: Impossible and Sonic the Hedgehog. Recent, innovative, break-out films such as The Wolf of Wall Street, Arrival, Rocketman, and A Quiet Place have added to Paramount’s film legacy. With a beautiful 65-acre lot in the heart of Hollywood, a worldwide network of offices and a culture of engagement, Paramount Pictures’ passionate employees ensure the studio continues to deliver creativity and innovation to a dynamic industry. Paramount Pictures controls a collection of some of the most powerful brands in filmed entertainment, including Paramount Pictures, Paramount Animation, and Paramount Players. PPC operations also include Paramount Home Entertainment, Paramount Pictures International, Paramount Licensing Inc., and Paramount Studio Group. Paramount Pictures is a subsidiary of Paramount, which connects with billions of people worldwide through its global brands including MTV, CBS, Paramount Network, Nickelodeon, Comedy Central, BET and streaming service Paramount+.

 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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