Senior Counsel, Litigation

This is a Full Time Job

SPE is seeking an experienced and strategic lawyer to join our top-notch in-house litigation team to help support these divisions. This role will manage a diverse docket of disputes worldwide relating to a leading entertainment company, including our film, television, and streaming businesses. The Senior Counsel will serve as a trusted advisor to internal business partners, handle pre-litigation claims, litigate and resolve cases and collaborate with outside counsel while driving practical, business-aligned litigation strategies.

Key Responsibilities
• Manage all phases of litigation and pre litigation matters (both affirmative and defensive), in state and federal court, arbitrations, and mediations, including early case assessment, defending/enforcing claims, pleadings, motion practice, discovery, depositions, trial preparation, settlement, and appeal.
• Analyze claims, conduct fact investigations and legal research, formulate strategy, draft and edit letters, pleadings, briefs, declarations, discovery demands, responses and settlement agreements, assist the e-discovery team, collect and review documents.
• Supervise and partner closely with outside counsel; establish strategy, staffing, and budget parameters.
• Provide advice and counseling on and handle litigation relating to various subjects including: Copyright, trademark, unfair competition and right of publicity disputes, Defamation and First Amendment claims, Contract and production/distribution-related claims, Consumer, privacy, and class action claims, Profit participation and accounting disputes, Personal injury cases, Enforcement of licenses, Commercial leasing matters, and Third-party subpoenas

Qualifications
• J.D. from an accredited law school.
• Active membership in at least one U.S. state bar (California strongly preferred).
• 8 + years of complex civil litigation experience at a nationally recognized law firm and/or entertainment-related in house legal department.
• In-depth knowledge of the business and legal environment within the entertainment industry, in order to effectively represent the company in legal proceedings.
• Familiarity with some or all of the subject areas above.
• Demonstrated ability to manage outside counsel and controlling litigation budgets.
• Strong strategic judgment and ability to balance legal risk with business objectives.

Personal Attributes
• Practical, solutions-oriented mindset.
• Excellent business judgment and ability to advise business executives.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively as part of a team.
• Ability to develop new areas of expertise and integrate technological tools as business needs change.
• Excellent verbal, written, research, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
• Proactively handle multiple priorities and exceptional organizational, multi-tasking, time management skills.
• High level of professional and personal integrity. The ability to handle sensitive and confidential information in an appropriate manner.
• Proven ability to develop strong relationships with and earn the respect and trust of key stakeholders.