Associate Director, LBA

At Warner Chappell Music (WCM) - the global music publishing arm of Warner Music Group (WMG) - we shape the culture of songwriting and champion songs that resonate for generations by creating transformational opportunities for songwriters everywhere. Our people and culture are at the epicenter of our company, and we are looking for team members who share our service-oriented mindset and have a passion for looking after our songwriters.

Job Title: 

Associate Director, Legal & Business Affairs

A little bit about our team:

Warner Chappell’s Global Legal & Business Affairs teams provide timely, pragmatic, risk-aligned, and business-oriented legal advice in order to execute transactions, to manage and resolve conflicts, and to inform the company’s strategic decisions.  We strive to be trusted advisers, who are valued and accountable for our creative problem-solving, our vigorous but respectful advocacy, and an understanding of our colleagues’ goals plus broader legal and industry trends, all of which enable us to best support Warner Chappell and our songwriter community.

Your role:

We are seeking a highly motivated and detail-oriented junior lawyer to join our Los Angeles-based Legal and Business Affairs team at Warner Chappell Music, Inc. (“WCM”).  This role will be involved in a wide range of legal and business transactions related to music publishing. You will also work closely with other departments within WCM, such as A&R, Finance, Sync, and Creative Services, to ensure that all legal and business matters are handled in a timely and efficient manner. The ideal candidate is a proactive problem-solver with 2-4 years of relevant experience who is eager to learn and grow within the music industry and to support WCM’s mission to put songwriters first.

Here you’ll get to:

• Draft and negotiate music publishing contracts and other transactional documents, including co-publishing, administration, sub-publishing, and catalog acquisition agreements, visual media licenses, work-for-hire agreements, sound recording representation agreements, and settlement agreements.

• Provide general legal counsel and guidance to WCM with the cooperation and supervision of Legal & Business Affairs colleagues and in accordance with WCM policies.

• Assist with contentious matters, including both offensive and defensive litigation and claims.

• Coordinate, confer, and work with outside counsel (including billings/payments for outside counsel), with Warner Music Group’s (“WMG”) Corporate Legal Department, and other WCM affiliates on legal and business matters.

• Make recommendations to management on legal aspects of WCM procedures, business relationships, communications, and related matters, anticipating and guarding against legal risk.

• Pursue special projects as directed by WCM and WMG executives.

• Effectively communicate internally and/or externally in a manner consistent with WMG’s Code of Conduct and core values.

• Stay informed regarding U.S. copyright law and other industry and legal developments affecting the music publishing industry.

• Attend WCM staff meetings and prepare necessary and required reports as requested.

• Handle and safeguard confidential and proprietary information.

About you:

• Juris Doctor (J.D.) or equivalent degree from an ABA-accredited law school.

• Admission to the California Bar, or eligibility to practice law in California as Registered In-House Counsel, in good standing.

• 2-4 years of relevant legal experience at a law firm or in-house legal department, with a focus on transactional entertainment or intellectual property law.

• Exceptional drafting, negotiation, and analytical skills.

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to work effectively with colleagues in a manner consistent with our Code of Conduct and core values.

• Highly organized with a proven ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously under tight deadlines.

We’d love it if you also had:

• Direct experience in the music publishing industry.

• Familiarity with Google Workspace.

About Us:

Before the fans and fame, the soundtracks and syncs, there is the song. And before the song comes the songwriter - the heart of an art form that defines generations, and the soul of our business. Songwriters are our inspiration; we are their partners, collaborators, and crusaders. Songwriters shape culture; and here at Warner Chappell Music we help hone their craft, build their careers, and protect their legacies. We value curiosity, collaboration, and commitment – which helps set us apart and helps us in our commitment and global service to our songwriters. We are Warner Chappell Music - where songwriters are heard.

As part of the larger Warner Music Group, we’re a global collective of music makers and music lovers, tech innovators and inspired entrepreneurs, game-changing creatives and passionate team members. Here, we turn dreams into stardom and audiences into fans. We are guided by three core values that underpin everything we do across all our diverse businesses:

• Curiosity: We do our best work when we’re immersing ourselves in culture and breaking through barriers. Curiosity is the driving force behind creativity and ingenuity. It fuels innovation, and innovation is the key to our future. 

• Collaboration: Making music and bringing it to the world is all about the power of originality amplified by teamwork. A great idea, like a great song, travels globally. We ignite passions and build connections across our diverse community of artists, songwriters, partners, and fans.

• Commitment: We pursue excellence for our team and our talent. Everything in music starts with a leap into the unknown, and we’re committed to keeping the faith, acting with integrity, and delivering on our promises.

WMG is home to a wide range of artists, musicians, and songwriters that fuel our success. That is why we are committed to creating a work environment that actively values, appreciates, and respects everyone.  We encourage applications from people with a wide variety of backgrounds and experiences.

Consider a career at WMG and get the best of both worlds – an innovative global music company that retains the creative spirit of a nimble independent.

As the home to 10K Projects, Asylum, Atlantic Music Group, East West, FFRR, Fueled by Ramen, Nonesuch, Parlophone, Rhino, Roadrunner, Sire, Warner Records, Warner Classics, and several other of the world’s premier recording labels, Warner Music Group champions emerging artists and global superstars alike. And our renowned publishing company, Warner Chappell Music, represents genre-spanning songwriters and producers through a catalog of more than one million copyrights worldwide. Warner Music Group is also home to ADA, which supports the independent community, as well as artist services division WMX. In addition, WMG counts film and television storytelling powerhouse Warner Music Entertainment among its many brands.

Together, we are Warner Music Group: Independent Minds. Major Sound.

Love this job and want to apply?

Click the “Apply” link at the top of the page, or apply directly with your LinkedIn. Applying with LinkedIn will import all of the information you put in your profile, but will still allow you to upload a resume and cover letter.

Don’t be discouraged if you don’t hear from us right away. We’re taking our time to review all resumes, and to find the best people for WMG.

Thanks for your interest in working for WMG. We love it here, and think you will, too.
 

This position requires a minimum of 4 days per week in the office. We value in-office collaboration, which is essential for talent development and strong working relationships. #LI-Onsite Salary Range: $112k - $135k Annually Salary ranges are included for job postings where required by law. The actual base pay is dependent upon many factors, such as work experience and business needs. The pay range is subject to change at any time dependent on a variety of internal and external factors.

Warner Music Group is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Links to relevant documents:

2026 Benefits At A Glance final.pdf

EVerify Participation Poster.pdf

Right To Work .pdf