Disney Lawyers in Film Training (D-LIFT) Associate, 2026

This job posting will remain active until Friday, October 10, 2025. During this period, applications for the 2026-2027 D-LIFT cohort will be under review. Talent Acquisition will contact applicants at the end of the job posting period. We appreciate your patience during this process.

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION:

The Disney Lawyers in Film Training (D-LIFT) Program is an immersive development program in the Legal Department of Disney Entertainment, Studios.  Designed for recent law school graduates, D-LIFT Associates receive mentorship from experienced Studio Legal attorneys, participate in professional development training focused on practical skills for thriving in an in-house studio legal environment, engage in substantive legal work, and get hands-on experience on legal matters arising during the course of the development and production of live action and animated feature films across Walt Disney Pictures, 20th Century Studios, Walt Disney Animation Studios, and other Studio legal teams. 

PROGRAM STRUCTURE:

June 2026 – August 2026:

Participants are engaged on a part-time basis, working remotely 3-4 hours per week for the Summer Virtual Programming portion of the program.  During this time, participants participate in virtual orientations, studio immersion sessions and mentoring while preparing to take the July 2026 California Bar Exam on their own time.  The summer period culminates with a Two-Week Summer Intensive, which marks the beginning of participants’ full time and in person program and prepares participants for their rotations with our Studio Legal teams.

September 2026 – November 2026: 

Participants work full time and in person while awaiting the results of the July 2026 California Bar Exam. Responsibilities include: 

• Assisting attorneys by doing research, proofreading and some drafting 

• Participating in business and leadership development sessions  

• Meeting regularly with the program leader and an assigned mentor for additional one-on-one development and support

December 2026 – April 2027:

Participants who pass the July 2026 California Bar Exam continue the program full time with expanded responsibilities. Other participants intending to sit for the February 2027 California Bar Exam will be offered the opportunity to remain in the program part time, with work to resume full time immediately following the February 2027 California Bar Exam.

May 2027 – June 2027:

Participants who pass either the July 2026 or February 2027 California Bar Exam continue in the program full time with expanded responsibilities. 

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:

• Intend to take the July 2026 administration of the California Bar Exam

• Rising 3L, graduating in May/June 2026 from a U.S. ABA-accredited law school

• Previous relevant professional experience, ideally working in a law office or studio/media company, including internships 

• Strong desire for a career in the entertainment business, specifically motion picture production 

• Strong written and verbal communication skills 

• Ability to manage confidential information 

• Strong interpersonal skills, with the ability to work well in a team environment 

• Capable of managing changing priorities and deadline pressure 

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS:

• Authorized to work in the United States 

• Available remotely part time (4 hours/week) from June 2026 through mid-August 2026, and then full time and in person from mid-August 2026 through June 2027 

• Ability to relocate to the Los Angeles area not later than August 16, 2026

The pay rate for this role in Burbank, CA is $41.40 per hour. Select benefits may be provided as part of the compensation package, such as medical, financial, and/or other benefits, dependent on the level and position offered. To learn more about our benefits visit: https://jobs.disneycareers.com/benefits.