Employment Litigation Attorney

Job Description

Who We Are
Creative Artists Agency (CAA) is the leading entertainment and sports agency, with global expertise in filmed and live entertainment, digital media, publishing, sponsorship sales and endorsements, licensing, media finance, consumer investing, fashion, trademark licensing, and philanthropy. Distinguished by its culture of collaboration and exceptional client service, CAA’s diverse workforce identifies, innovates, and amplifies opportunities for the people and organizations that shape culture and inspire the world. The trailblazer of the agency business, CAA was the first to build a sports business, create an investment bank, launch a venture fund, found technology start-up companies, establish a philanthropic arm, build a business in China, and form a brand marketing services division, among other innovations.
 

The Role

The Office of the Chief Legal Officer at Creative Artists Agency (CAA) provides dedicated legal support in the areas of litigation, corporate transactions, compliance, advice and counseling, and governmental affairs across CAA’s businesses. We support CAA’s needs when it comes to commercial, talent agency, intellectual property, and employment laws, among other legal areas.  
 

CAA’s litigation team plays an important part in all aspects of legal proceedings involving CAA by developing litigation strategy, supervising outside lawyers in achieving the company’s goals in the most efficient and effective manner, managing document discovery, participating in the drafting and preparation of pleadings and correspondence, and advising on risk management.  
 

This is a great opportunity to join a growing legal team and work on cutting edge issues in an exciting, fast-paced entertainment and sports business. This is a full-time, in-office position. As part of our team, you will internally handle employment litigation and general civil litigation matters prior to litigation including drafting and responding to demand letters and negotiating pre-litigation settlements.  For matters which reach litigation (whether CAA is a party or third party), you will identify and engage appropriate outside counsel in coordination with the Deputy General Counsel – Litigation & Employment; manage such outside counsel with respect to the legal work and billing; help research background factual information related to legal issues including interviewing CAA employees and identifying relevant documents; assist in the preparation of legal documents including drafting and editing pleadings and correspondence; and coordinating requests from external counsel in furtherance of deposition, trial or arbitration preparation.  It is possible in smaller matters you may be called upon to make court appearances on behalf of CAA if needed.  In addition to work on litigation matters, you will provide advice regarding litigation risk and best practices across the organization.  You must have the ability to work independently and work proactively with various teams across the organization. 
 

Every member of CAA’s legal team is expected to be a values-driven, results-oriented leader who provides legal services with the highest level of professionalism, competence and efficacy.  
 

Responsibilities 

• Be a self-starter in supporting CAA’s employment and civil litigation, arbitration, dispute-prevention and dispute-resolution needs, including serving as the lead internal counsel. 

• Manage all phases of employment-related litigation, arbitration, and agency matters (EEOC, DOL, state agencies), from inception through resolution.  

• Demonstrate thought leadership and a record of success in handling employment litigation/arbitration matters.  

• Provide timely and time-sensitive legal counsel, information, advice, and guidance on employment and civil litigation matters. 

• Identify and analyze complex legal/employment issues and provide appropriate legal advice regarding applicable legal standards. 

• Draft, review and edit litigation-related documents (e.g., motions, briefs, pleadings, litigation holds, discovery responses, settlement agreements, and protective orders). 

• Oversee and manage CAA’s responses to subpoenas and third-party requests for information. 

• Demonstrate extensive negotiation skills with respect to legal issues. 

• Demonstrate a creative and strategic mindset, excellent judgment, strong communications skills, and strong work ethic. 

• Demonstrate a business pragmatic approach to legal issues. 

• Communicate with stakeholders regarding litigation risks and status of ongoing disputes. 

• Work as part of a team, with heavy emphasis on collaboration, transparency, and communication.  

• Be a problem solver, able to address complex disputes from strategy to execution. 

• Demonstrate learning agility and adaptability; be able to improve and evolve approach, systems or strategies when necessary. 

• Monitor and analyze trends in employment laws to recommend preventive measures and policy updates. 

• Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local labor and employment laws. 

• Encourage others to value varying perspectives when working in diverse teams. 

• Uphold CAA’s policies, including the code of business ethics and conduct. 

• Other duties as assigned. 

• Preferred Knowledge/Skills 
   

Qualifications 

• Minimum Degree Required: Juris Doctorate from an accredited top-tier law school.  

• Minimum Years Of Experience: 10+ years of handling a wide variety of employment litigation matters, including single-plaintiff matters as well as complex litigation, such as wage and hour collective actions, multi-venue or multi-jurisdictional matters. 

• Preferred Experience:  

• 2+ years of in-house work managing outside counsel on multiple cases to obtain optimal outcomes 

• Experience representing employers in the entertainment and/or sports industry 

• Certification or Licensing Required: Licensed member in good standing of the California State Bar. 

• Essential Mental & Physical Functions 

• Mental Functions: Decisions have major implications on the management and operations of an area within a department. Job may contribute to important strategy, operational, and business decisions that affect the department. This position requires analysis, comprehension and decision-making with an aim of attaining specific goals. 
   

Physical Functions
Sitting required 85% of the time. Walking and standing required 15% of the time respectively. No heavy lifting required. Constant working on a computer, telephone and/or mobile device, including but not limited to iPad or cellular phone. 
 

Location
This is a hybrid role based in Los Angeles, requiring four days per week on-site.

Compensation

The annual base salary for this position is in the range of $210,000 - $245,000. This position also is eligible for benefits and discretionary bonus. Ultimately, the salary may vary based upon, but not limited to, relevant experience, time in role, business sector, and geographic location, among other criteria. Please talk with a CAA Recruiter to learn more.

Creative Artists Agency, LLC (the “Company”) is committed to a policy of Equal Employment Opportunity and will not discriminate on the basis of race (inclusive of traits historically associated with race, including hair texture and protective hairstyles), color, religion, creed, gender or sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding or related medical conditions), national origin, ancestry, age, physical disability, mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, family and medical care leave status, military or veteran status, marital status, family status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, political affiliation, an employee’s or their dependent’s reproductive health decision making (e.g., the decision to use or access a particular drug, device or medical service), or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.

The absence of a permanent address is not a bar to employment. The Company does not discriminate against individuals based on housing status, including the absence of a fixed address.The Company also complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act and applicable state and local laws with regard to providing reasonable accommodation for qualified individuals with disabilities.

CAA does not accept unsolicited resumes from third-party recruiters unless they were contractually engaged by CAA to provide candidates for a specified opening. Any such employment agency, person or entity that submits an unsolicited resume does so with the acknowledgement and agreement that CAA will have the right to hire that applicant at its discretion without any fee owed to the submitting employment agency, person or entity.