Counsel, Legal, HBO, Max, and Magnolia Productions
Every great story has a new beginning, and yours starts here.
Welcome to Warner Bros. Discovery... the stuff dreams are made of.
Who We Are...
When we say, "the stuff dreams are made of," we're not just referring to the world of wizards, dragons and superheroes, or even to the wonders of Planet Earth. Behind WBD's vast portfolio of iconic content and beloved brands, are the storytellers bringing our characters to life, the creators bringing them to your living rooms and the dreamers creating what's next...
From brilliant creatives, to technology trailblazers, across the globe, WBD offers career defining opportunities, thoughtfully curated benefits, and the tools to explore and grow into your best selves. Here you are supported, here you are celebrated, here you can thrive.
Your New Role
Magnolia Discovery Ventures, LLC is a joint venture between Warner Bros Discovery (WBD) and Chip and Joanna Gaines, with offices in Knoxville, TN, Waco, TX and New York. Magnolia's programming offers remarkable real-life stories with everyday heart, humor, hope and human connections, to include fascinating families, heart-warming transformations, and life's milestones and transformational moments.
WBD is seeking an attorney to support the Magnolia Network's content development, production and acquisition for WBD's direct-to-consumer and linear platforms. In this position you will be independently responsible for handling the drafting and review of agreements, related negotiations, and management of the deal for the development, production and distribution of documentary and non-scripted reality television programming for Magnolia. You will also provide advice on content-related legal issues for a wide variety of production and programming transactions
Your Role Accountabilities
- Assume responsibility from start to finish for project/deal, including preparation of contracts for developing, producing, financing, and/or acquiring television programming for the Magnolia Network. Working in coordination with Business Affairs ("BA"), draft and negotiate all business and legal terms with producers' lawyers and agents or other representatives, including standard terms and conditions, back-end participation and ancillary deal components such as the licensing and granting of rights. Draft and/or review development, commission, co-production, acquisition, and other related agreements.
- Advise and support senior network executives and internal business units (including production management ["PMD"], finance, standards and practices, digital, marketing, consumer products/licensing, publicity, and ad sales) on production and key talent business and legal issues including risk management, background checks, defamation, copyright, trademark, right of publicity, music, advertising and other related issues.
- Review and draft ancillary production related documents such as access agreements, format licenses, participant releases, and consultant agreements.
- Assume accountability for deals under tight timelines while acquiring appropriate rights within budgetary parameters.
- Manage business practices in concert with network editorial/creative and production management.
Qualifications & Experience
- At least three (3) years of experience working in-house in the business affairs or legal department of an entertainment company or within the entertainment/media practice of a law firm. Preferred experience with a cable or broadcast television network, studio, or production company.
- J.D. degree from an ABA-accredited law school
- Membership in the New York, Georgia, or Tennessee State Bar in good standing or willingness and qualification to be registered as in-house counsel
- Knowledge of television programming and talent agreements and/or cable industry.
- Knowledge of defamation, privacy, and copyright laws.
- Excellent writing, organizational, and interpersonal skills, including clear and effective written and verbal communication skills.
- Creative, business-friendly approach to problem solving and the ability to provide high-quality legal support in a fast-paced environment are vital.
- Relationships with entertainment attorneys, talent agents, talent managers and talent publicists along with a working knowledge of union and guild issues a plus.
- Applicants must be industrious and self-motivated with demonstrated ability to take initiative, make firm decisions, manage projects, and offer a high level of customer service in a fast-paced environment.
- Excellent people skills and ability to develop and maintain productive working relationships with internal and external partners.
- Excellent business and legal judgment.
- Experience with Microsoft Word, Excel and other software applications required.
- Must have the legal right to work in the United States
How We Get Things Done...
This last bit is probably the most important! Here at WBD, our guiding principles are the core values by which we operate and are central to how we get things done. You can find them at www.wbd.com/guiding-principles/ along with some insights from the team on what they mean and how they show up in their day to day. We hope they resonate with you and look forward to discussing them during your interview.
The Legal Bits...
In compliance with local law, we are disclosing the compensation, or a range thereof, for roles in locations where legally required. Actual salaries will vary based on several factors, including but not limited to external market data, internal equity, location, skill set, experience, and/or performance. Base pay is just one component of Warner Bros. Discovery's total compensation package for employees. Pay Range: $67,584.00 - $125,513.00 salary per year. Other rewards may include annual bonuses, short- and long-term incentives, and program-specific awards. In addition, Warner Bros. Discovery provides a variety of benefits to employees, including health insurance coverage, an employee wellness program, life and disability insurance, a retirement savings plan, paid holidays and sick time and vacation.
Warner Bros. Discovery embraces the opportunity to build a workforce that reflects the diversity of our society and the world around us. Being an equal opportunity employer means that we take seriously our responsibility to consider qualified candidates on the basis of merit, without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, mental or physical disability, and genetic information, marital status, citizenship status, military status, protected veteran status or any other category protected by law.
If you're a qualified candidate and you require adjustments or accommodations to search for a job opening or apply for a position, please contact us at [email protected].