Senior Paralegal - Distribution

** This role sits in Burbank, CA and this person is required to be on site 4x/week**

About the Role & Team:

At Disney, we‘re storytellers. We make the impossible, possible. We do this through utilizing and developing cutting-edge technology and pushing the envelope to bring stories to life through our movies, direct-to-consumer streaming services, products, parks and experiences, and our television shows and networks. Now is your chance to join our talented team that delivers unparalleled creative content to audiences around the world.

The Distribution Legal group negotiates and provides legal counsel for the distribution of The Walt Disney Company’s world-class feature films, television content and online direct-to-consumer offerings. We represent Disney’s expansive portfolio of brands from the Walt Disney Studios (including Disney, Pixar, Marvel, Lucasfilm, Twentieth Century Studios and Searchlight) television entertainment, sports and news (including ABC Entertainment, ESPN, ABC News, Disney Channel/Disney Junior/Disney XD, FX Networks, National Geographic Channel and Freeform), and our innovative direct-to-consumer offerings (including Disney+, ESPN+, STAR+ and ABC News Live).  The role is for the legal team supporting Disney Platform Distribution.

This team is the legal hub for Disney content distribution on a global scale, including theatrical distribution, television network distribution, over-the-top distribution of direct-to-consumer offerings via video streaming platforms, physical home video, electronic home video (“EHV”), transactional video-on-demand (“TVOD”), subscription video-on-demand (“SVOD”), ad-supported video-on-demand (“AVOD”) and linear television. The group also advises business executives on distribution technology matters, related legal and policy matters, and handles content protection.

The Distribution Legal group is seeking a Sr. Paralegal to work in a fast-paced environment on innovative, high-profile, industry-leading content distribution matters for Disney Platform Distribution, including Internet and television distribution of Disney’s portfolio of motion picture and television titles on a linear (free, basic, pay), SVOD, ADVOD and direct-to-consumer basis (e.g., Hulu, Star, and Disney+). We’re looking for a bright, energetic, self-motivated and reliable person who can work closely with attorneys, and with other internal groups, and will exercise the highest level of ethics and discretion.

What You Will Do:

• Work closely with attorneys and directly with business units on drafting, negotiating and closing license agreements:

  • with distribution licensees in the U.S. and Canada for linear broadcast, basic cable and pay television with accompanying video-on-demand usage rights;

  • for the acquisition of motion picture and television content to support the strategic distribution activities of Disney Platform Distribution on a global basis;

  • for the acquisition and distribution of television formats with third parties and Disney business units worldwide; and

  • with Disney and third-party distribution licensees in the U.S. and Canada across a wide variety of traditional and new platforms and business models, including direct-to-consumer applications and paid subscription platforms such as SVOD and ADVOD.

• Provide in a clear, concise manner, advice and counsel to business and legal personnel regarding distribution issues and analysis of contractual provisions, rights and restrictions, and where necessary, interface with and seek advice from lawyers and executives from relevant internal groups (network and studio legal and business affairs, sales, technology, regulatory, antitrust counsel, labor relations, privacy, music, affiliate relations, ad sales and operations, etc.).

• Provide ongoing oversight of legacy agreements, including legal issues related to distribution relationships, e.g., MFN compliance.

• Maintain various departmental charts and input information into databases on a regular basis.

• Work independently and manage negotiations with minimal supervision while ensuring Company’s policies, procedures, intellectual property rights and other key concepts are properly addressed.

Required Qualifications & Skills:

• At least 3 years of paralegal experience

• Outstanding drafting and legal writing skills

• A deep interest in entertainment, media and technology industries, and willingness to learn about new areas

• Ability to work independently or under limited supervision

• Team-oriented and have the ability to take a solutions-oriented approach to legal issues

• Ability to multi-task and work quickly and collaboratively under tight deadlines

• Extreme attention to detail with accurate input and proofreading skills

• Self-motivated, with outstanding interpersonal skills, and ability to communicate complex concepts and issues effectively with colleagues, counterparts and management

• Proficient in Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook and other office-related software

Preferred Qualifications:

• Prior experience with entertainment, media and technology issues in television is preferred, but is not required

• Some prior exposure to copyright law, intellectual property licenses and Internet and mobile platforms is preferred

Required Education

A Bachelor’s Degree and/or qualifications to be a paralegal by certification or education and work experience as set forth by the American Bar Association and/or any applicable state codes.

The hiring range for this position in Burbank, CA is $85,800.00- to $115,000.00 per year based on a 40 hour work week. The amount of hours scheduled per week may vary based on business needs. The base pay actually offered will take into account internal equity and also may vary depending on the candidate’s geographic region, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience among other factors. A bonus and/or long-term incentive units may be provided as part of the compensation package, in addition to the full range of medical, financial, and/or other benefits, dependent on the level and position offered.