Counsel, Legal, HBO and HBO Max Productions

Welcome to Warner Bros. Discovery… the stuff dreams are made of.

Who We Are…

When we say, “the stuff dreams are made of,” we’re not just referring to the world of wizards, dragons and superheroes, or even to the wonders of Planet Earth. Behind WBD’s vast portfolio of iconic content and beloved brands, are the storytellers bringing our characters to life, the creators bringing them to your living rooms and the dreamers creating what’s next…

From brilliant creatives, to technology trailblazers, across the globe, WBD offers career defining opportunities, thoughtfully curated benefits, and the tools to explore and grow into your best selves. Here you are supported, here you are celebrated, here you can thrive.

Your New Role

This position assesses and manages legal risk and handles a wide array of production-related agreements for HBO and HBO Max domestic and internationally produced, critically-acclaimed and award-winning original scripted programming during pre-production, production, and post-production under the supervision of more senior project attorneys (e.g., VP, Senior Director, Director).

Under the supervision of more senior project attorneys (e.g., VP, Senior Director, Director), the Counsel drafts and negotiates time-sensitive production or post-production-related agreements, including casting director and department head agreements; location and lease agreements; artwork releases and clip/photo licenses; confidentiality/non-disclosure agreements; nudity/simulated sex riders; and visual effects agreements. Additionally, the Counsel: assists senior project attorneys with documentation related to production incentives and tax credits for both domestic and international productions; conducts training sessions with intimacy coordinators regarding nudity/simulated sex protocol and workflow; assists with overflow drafting of above-the-line agreements for projects in development or production; updates template agreements and handles other special projects as assigned by VP and/or SVP, Head of Legal, including negotiating studio, security, stock footage, catering and other master agreements for use across multiple productions..

On international productions, the Counsel will liaise with local counsel regarding production-related agreements, including reviewing proposed templates to ensure they comport with HBO/HBO Max policies and required legal language.

It is an essential function of this position that the work be performed partially from the Company’s offices, i.e., in office for no fewer than three (3) days per week.

Your Role Accountabilities

• Draft and negotiate agreements for approximately 4-5 projects in active pre-production, principal photography, or post production.

• Liaise with and supervise local counsel on international productions with respect to production-related agreements, including reviewing proposed templates to ensure they comport with HBO/HBO Max policies.

• Assist with overflow drafting of above-the-line agreements for projects in development and production.

• Update template agreements and handle other special projects as assigned by VP and/or Chief Counsel.

Qualifications & Experience

• Minimum 2 years relevant legal experience as a practicing lawyer in a law firm, in-house legal department of a media company or government agency, or judicial clerkship.
• J.D. from an accredited law school and an outstanding academic record.
• Must be licensed to practice law and a member in good standing of the California or New York Bar.
• Must be able to analyze, draft, and negotiate contracts.
• Must have sufficient experience as a practicing lawyer to advise production personnel and management of legal implications of production decisions.
• Must be able to confidently research legal questions and communicate resulting analysis effectively to all levels of corporate and production staff.
• Must be able to write in a well-organized, concise, and precise manner.
• Knowledge of copyright, defamation, trademark, defamation and privacy laws.

How We Get Things Done…

This last bit is probably the most important! Here at WBD, our guiding principles are the core values by which we operate and are central to how we get things done. You can find them at www.wbd.com/guiding-principles/ along with some insights from the team on what they mean and how they show up in their day to day. We hope they resonate with you and look forward to discussing them during your interview.

Championing Inclusion at WBD

Warner Bros. Discovery embraces the opportunity to build a workforce that reflects a wide array of perspectives, backgrounds and experiences. Being an equal opportunity employer means that we take seriously our responsibility to consider qualified candidates on the basis of merit, without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, mental or physical disability, and genetic information, marital status, citizenship status, military status, protected veteran status or any other category protected by law.

If you’re a qualified candidate with a disability and you require adjustments or accommodations during the job application and/or recruitment process, please visit our accessibility page for instructions to submit your request.

In compliance with local law, we are disclosing the compensation, or a range thereof, for roles in locations where legally required. Actual salaries will vary based on several factors, including but not limited to external market data, internal equity, location, skill set, experience, and/or performance. Base pay is just one component of Warner Bros. Discovery’s total compensation package for employees. Pay Range: $98,000.00 - $182,000.00 salary per year. Other rewards may include annual bonuses, short- and long-term incentives, and program-specific awards. In addition, Warner Bros. Discovery provides a variety of benefits to employees, including health insurance coverage, an employee wellness program, life and disability insurance, a retirement savings plan, paid holidays and sick time and vacation.

If you’re a qualified candidate with an arrest or conviction record, please know that your application will be considered in accordance with the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for Employers and the California Fair Chance Act.