What are the responsibilities and job description for the Chief Counsel position at The Walt Disney Studios?
Job Summary:
The Chief Counsel is responsible for all legal matters across The Walt Disney Studios supporting Walt Disney Pictures, 20th Century Studios, Searchlight Pictures, Marvel, Lucasfilm, Walt Disney Animation Studios, Pixar, and Disney Theatrical Group.The Chief Counsel provides counsel and direction to Studio Content senior leaders on legal matters, including those in Production, Marketing, Technology, Operations, among other functions. Additionally, this leader will be responsible for setting strategy for legal services in alignment with the overall Studio business strategy. He/she will frequently partner with Corporate Legal on strategy and policies/procedures.
Responsibilities:
- Provide leadership on all legal matters across Studio Content business, strategy, and functions.
- Lead the Studio Legal Affairs team which includes attorneys, paralegals, administration, and support staff.
- Set the vision, priorities and goals for Legal teams across all Studio banners, ensuring a consistent approach to assessment and resolution of matters.
- Provide legal counsel and advice to senior leaders on key legal matters across Studios.
- Direct and review the work of attorneys on a wide array of matters and issues; including risk management, privacy, intellectual property, piracy, litigation, clearances, technology, participations, and audits, among others; advise on labor and guild issues.
- Partner closely with the Business Affairs team on rights and talent deals.
- Partner with Corporate Legal on matters that have Studio-wide and company-wide impact.
- Foster a diverse and inclusive environment, with a focus on employee engagement and development across all levels.
Basic Qualifications:
- A minimum of 20 years of legal experience, preferably in a major studio or entertainment company
- Demonstrated ability to drive strategic thought leadership and influence senior business leaders
- Seasoned leader of large groups of employees, with specific experience in developing and engaging attorneys, paralegal, and administrative staff.
- Solid understanding of motion picture business and legal issues, including emerging trends in streaming, theatrical shortening release windows, episodic, and new media.
Required Education
- JD from ABA accredited law school
Assistant General Counsel - Regulatory
ACC - Association of Corporate Counsel -
Los Angeles, CA
Assistant General Counsel - Labor & Employment
ACC - Association of Corporate Counsel -
Los Angeles, CA
Associate General Counsel, Trademarks and Copyrights
Counsel Treuhand GmbH -
Santa Monica, CA