Senior Paralegal Motion Picture Business Affairs

This is a Full Time Job

100% Remote

Television and Motion Picture Development Support (30%)
You'll be instrumental in securing the rights to our next big stories.
Project Acquisition & Rights Management: Draft, review, and assist in negotiating option agreements for everything from novels and screenplays to life rights. You'll conduct chain of title reviews and rights clearance research to ensure seamless acquisition and maintain comprehensive databases of all our optioned properties.
Development Deal Structuring (Television - Primary Focus): Draft and help negotiate development agreements for writers, producers, and showrunners, including creative control, compensation, credit, and participation terms. You'll also review and assist with development budgets.
Development Deal Structuring (Motion Pictures - Secondary Focus): Support similar drafting and negotiation for screenwriters, producers, and directors in the feature film space.
Network/Streaming Platform & Studio/Distributor Interface: Prepare legal documentation for submissions, support negotiations for development commitments, pilot orders, series pickups, and distribution agreements, and coordinate with Standards & Practices and the MPAA to support content compliance requirements. You'll also handle legal aspects of international co-productions.

Production Legal Affairs (35%)
You'll ensure smooth legal operations as projects move into production.
Talent Contract Management (Television - Primary Focus): Draft comprehensive agreements for series regulars, recurring characters, guest stars, and minor performers, ensuring compliance with state laws like the Coogan Law.
Talent Contract Management (Motion Picture - Secondary Focus): Draft comprehensive agreements for above-the-line talent including lead actors, supporting cast, and featured performers, as well as director and producer contracts.
Above-the-Line Negotiations: Maintain strong relationships with talent representatives and assist in drafting complex agreements for Executive Producers, Directors, and Showrunners (TV) and Marquee Talent, Directors, and Producer Packages (Film).
Union Compliance & Labor Relations: Interact with representatives from SAG-AFTRA, WGA, DGA, and IATSE on contract interpretations, residuals, and working conditions. You'll manage reports, contributions, and guild notifications, and assist with O-1 Visa applications.
Production Support Services: Help negotiate location agreements, manage vendor contracts, coordinate with the Finance Department on insurance, and provide 24/7 emergency legal support during production.

Post-Production & Distribution (20%)
You'll help guide our content to audiences worldwide.
Delivery & Compliance: Coordinate legal deliverables for network/streaming/studio and international delivery, including chain of title, music cue sheets, and E&O insurance. You'll also manage archive documentation and residual administration.
Distribution & Licensing: Support negotiations for domestic and international distribution agreements for both television and motion pictures, including format licensing, remake/sequel rights, international sales and ancillary rights.

This Job Might Be for You If…
You have a sophisticated understanding of the television and motion picture industry's legal landscape, including network/streaming platform requirements, union regulations, and intellectual property complexities.
You demonstrate exceptional organizational skills and attention to detail, managing multiple high-priority projects simultaneously with accuracy under tight deadlines.
You're adept at contract drafting and analysis, with an exceptional ability to review and draft complex entertainment agreements.
You possess advanced legal research skills and can apply comprehensive regulatory knowledge across entertainment industry standards.
You're a strong problem-solver, identifying legal risks and proposing practical solutions within business and creative constraints.
You have deep expertise in the development and production processes for both television and film.
You excel at stakeholder management, effectively communicating with creative executives, producers, talent representatives, and external partners.
You thrive in a fast-paced, high-pressure environment and can adapt quickly to changing schedules and last-minute deal changes.
You exhibit exceptional discretion when handling sensitive information, unreleased content, and high-profile talent matters.
You're committed to ongoing professional development and staying current with industry trends and legal advancements.

Qualifications
Required Qualifications
Education: Paralegal Certificate from an ABA-approved program or equivalent legal education. Bachelor's Degree (Communications, Business, Film Studies, Fine Arts, English, or related field) preferred.
Professional Experience: Minimum 8 years paralegal experience, with at least 2-3 years specifically in entertainment law. Strong preference for experience within the Television and Motion Picture industry (production companies, networks, streaming platforms, studios, or entertainment law firms). Demonstrated experience with television/film development and production legal processes. Familiarity with SAG-AFTRA, WGA, DGA agreements and procedures.
Technical Competencies: Proficiency with Contract Management Systems, Legal Research platforms (e.g., ContractWorks, GC AI), advanced Microsoft Office Suite (especially Excel), and Document Management systems.
Preferred Qualifications
Advanced Industry Experience:
8+ years total paralegal experience with a minimum of 5 years in entertainment law, particularly on the television studio side (seller of content).
Direct experience with major networks (ABC, CBS, NBC, FOX) and streaming platforms (Amazon, Netflix, Hulu, Apple TV+, HBO), as well as major studios (Disney, Warner Bros., Universal, Sony, Paramount) and independent distributors.
Familiarity with international co-productions, format licensing, foreign sales, and global distribution.
Specialized Legal Knowledge:
Advanced knowledge of SAG-AFTRA, WGA, DGA, and IATSE agreements, including complex union negotiations.
Extensive experience with music clearances, fair use analysis, intellectual property licensing, and chain of title issues.
Knowledge of FCC regulations, MPAA rating system, and tax incentive programs.
Technical & Software Proficiency: Proficiency with industry-specific software like FilmTrack, EP payroll and residual systems, Showbiz Budgeting/Movie Magic, and Final Draft. Experience with advanced database management and financial analysis for profit participation.
Educational Background: Advanced Paralegal Certification in entertainment, media, or intellectual property law. Recent continuing education in relevant areas (e.g., AI, streaming platform regulations).