Attorney
Directors Guild of America
Los Angeles, CAThis is a Full Time Job
Experienced Attorney
Legal Department
Los Angeles, CA
Job Summary
This attorney will be responsible for: enforcing the DGA's various collective bargaining agreements through arbitration; researching, analyzing, and preparing memoranda regarding various issues arising under those collective bargaining agreements; providing guidance to a number of departments within the DGA; providing support in drafting and reviewing agreements and transactional documents related to projects produced under DGA collective bargaining agreements, including security agreements, guaranties, and collection account management agreements; and carrying out other tasks that will be assigned from time to time. This attorney will report to the General Counsel.
The ideal candidate will have a passion for working for labor unions and creative professionals, and the ability to work collaboratively within the Legal Department and with our executives. Candidates must be able to write and communicate clearly, prioritize competing tasks, and exercise good judgment. We would also appreciate it if you would bring a good sense of humor to work from time to time.
The DGA is a five-day-per-week, in-person workplace.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
• Enforce the DGA's various collective bargaining agreements through arbitration
• Research, analyze, and prepare memos regarding various issues arising under those collective bargaining agreements
• Provide guidance to various departments within the DGA
• Provide support in drafting and reviewing agreements and transactional documents related to projects produced under DGA collective bargaining agreements, including security agreements, guaranties, and collection account management agreements
• Work to establish an expertise in labor law issues
• Acquire up-to-date knowledge of the entertainment industry and issues that affect the DGA
• Other duties as assigned
Job Requirements - Qualifications, Skills, Experience and Attributes:
• J.D. required and must be licensed to practice law in California
• Excellent communication skills - written and verbal
• Excellent judgment and common sense
• Comfortable exercising independent judgment and making decisions in new or unfamiliar scenarios
• Three to eight years of experience handling labor arbitration claims or litigation; negotiating artist or talent service agreements; negotiating production and distribution deals; or negotiating secured transaction, license, or acquisition agreements pertaining to intellectual property
• Ability to work collaboratively with others, both lawyers and non-lawyers alike
• Ability to prioritize multiple projects
• A willingness to carry out widely divergent tasks
• Highly collaborative style, positive attitude, and strong work ethic
• Basic familiarity with the arbitration process
• Ability to probe multiple sources of information via various research tools, including Westlaw
• An understanding and passion for organized labor
• Basic Microsoft Excel skills are helpful
• Ability to stay focused and work alone or in groups
Preferred Skills
• Three to eight years of experience practicing law, with a focus on labor law or litigation on behalf of talent in the entertainment industry
• Supportive of the labor movement
The DGA is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.
Salary/Benefits
$120,000.00
- 180,000.00
per year
$120,000 - $180,000 /year USD
Salary conditioned upon substantive experience and number of years of practice.
Benefits
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• Defined benefit and defined contribution pension plans
• 401(k)
• Flexible spending account
• Life insurance
• Short- and long-term disability
• Parental leave
Perks
• Movie screenings
• Designated parking space
Additional Information
The Directors Guild of America (DGA) is a labor organization that represents over 19,000 film and television directors and members of the directorial team, including Unit Production Managers, Assistant Directors, Associate Directors, and Stage Managers, who work across various sectors such as film, television, commercials, news, sports, and new media.