Counsel

We're seeking a Counsel, Production Contracts for CBS Studios. This is a hybrid position with the flexibility of working partly in the Hollywood/Los Angeles office (currently two days per week are required) and from home on the other days.

This position will support domestic and international television pilots and series produced by or on behalf of CBS Studios in a busy, fast-paced legal department by independently drafting and negotiating below-the-line production-related agreements and advising regarding legal issues.

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Serving as the primary below-the-line legal contact for production personnel and matters;
• Drafting and negotiating services agreements for line producers/unit production managers, casting directors, directors of photography, costume designers, production designers, editors and consultants;
• Drafting and negotiating location agreements, visual/special effects agreements, stage and production office lease agreements, vendor agreements, aircraft rental agreements, watercraft vessel agreements and equipment lease agreements;
• Drafting and negotiating product integration agreements for products used as props and/or set dressing;
• Drafting and negotiating clip license agreements;
• Drafting cease and desist letters;
• Drafting and preparing chain-of-title letters, production service agreements, affidavits and copyright assignment agreements in connection with tax credit applications;
• Drafting responses to legal claims;
• Responding to unsolicited submissions; and
• Advising productions, other members of the legal department and other CBS departments regarding contract issues, intellectual property issues, risk management, CBS policies and procedures and guild requirements.

Basic Qualifications:

• Juris Doctor, along with strong academic credentials.
• 4+ years of experience, including at least 2 years drafting and negotiating contracts, preferably in an entertainment production context.
• Excellent drafting skills and the ability to work quickly, independently, and accurately.

Additional Qualifications:

• Ability to act with diplomacy and good legal judgment to meet time sensitive demands; multi-tasking and prioritization are essential.
• Excellent interpersonal skills to form strong working relationships with production members, other department members and members of Business Affairs.
• Experience working at a studio, network or other entertainment company, especially in scripted television production, and experience with intellectual property and guild issues are pluses.
• Some knowledge of, and a passion for, television production and the broader entertainment industry strongly preferred.

CBS Studios is one of the industry’s leading suppliers of programming with more than 70 series currently in production across broadcast and cable networks, streaming services and other emerging platforms.

The Studio’s expansive portfolio spans a diverse slate of commercially successful and critically acclaimed scripted programming, genre-defining franchises including the ever-growing “Star Trek” universe, award-winning late night and daytime talk shows, and an extensive library of iconic intellectual property.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Hiring Salary Range: $139,500.00 - 165,000.00. 

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.  

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 and is an affirmative action employer. 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.

If you are a qualified individual with a disability or a disabled veteran, you may request a reasonable accommodation if you are unable or limited in your ability to use or access https://www.paramount.com/careers as a result of your disability. You can request reasonable accommodations by calling 212.846.5500 or by sending an email to paramountaccommodations@paramount.com. Only messages left for this purpose will be returned.