Assistant Chief Counsel, Advertising Sales Legal

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, products, interactive games, parks and resorts, and media networks. Now is your chance to join our talented team that delivers unparalleled creative content to audiences around the world.

Ad Sales Legal is part of the Legal Department of The Walt Disney Company and provides legal advice to Disney Advertising and other businesses of TWDC regarding advertising and sponsorships, marketing, digital products, technology, and content distribution. Disney Advertising is responsible for advertising sales and integrated marketing for Disney’s entertainment, news, and sports linear and digital brands, including Disney+, Hulu, ABC, ESPN, FX, National Geographic, Freeform, and the ABC-owned television stations.

The Assistant Chief Counsel (ACC) for the Ad Sales Legal group oversees the addressable advertising legal work for Disney Advertising. The position requires a proven record of accomplishment and expert knowledge of digital advertising and advertising compliance. The ACC is responsible for working collaboratively with, and serving as a key advisor to, senior management of Disney Advertising, and is expected to provide guidance and direction reflecting sound judgment, strategic vision, and substantive legal knowledge and expertise.

In this role, the ACC will supervise significant and complex legal projects and policy issues relating to advertising law compliance, policy, and process, including audience targeting, native advertising, testimonials, endorsements, claim substantiation, disclosures, children’s advertising, and data policy. The ACC will need a good working knowledge of privacy and data security to help clients navigate these areas in conjunction with TWDC subject matter experts. The ACC will be tasked with developing innovative processes to maximize efficiency while managing a large volume of time-sensitive work and a small team of attorneys, paralegals, and assistants. The role reports to the Deputy Chief Counsel, Ad Sales Legal and is based in Glendale, CA.

Responsibilities

SCOPE OF ROLE:

• Provide strategic advice to business executives and senior management regarding all issues relating to addressable advertising.

• Provide direction and oversight of deal-related, strategic and compliance issues related to digital advertising including data collection and use, behavioral targeting, research and analytics, distribution of advertising on digital platforms, advertising technology, linear addressable and data driven linear services, programmatic advertising, insertion orders, master terms and conditions with advertisers and agencies, influencer marketing, branded and custom content, sponsorships, contests and sweepstakes, and content production and distribution.

• Supervise the drafting, reviewing, and negotiating of agreements for these matters.

• Manage and review creative materials to ensure compliance with advertising law and policy, including compliance with FTC Guidelines, CARU Guidelines, internal company ad guidelines, and other advertising industry standards and practices.

• Advise TWDC’s Standards & Practices team on legal issues in connection with advertising including children’s advertising, gaming, cryptocurrency, political, and QR codes.

TEAM LEADERSHIP & MANAGEMENT:

• Lead and manage a small team of lawyers, paralegals, and assistants.

• Create a positive working environment for the team and a culture of employee engagement, empowerment, and healthy work-life balance.

• Foster collaboration and workflow efficiency and instill confidence in the team and clients.

• Advise and serve as resource to lawyers across the TWDC legal department on a regular basis.

Basic Qualifications

• 15 years of significant legal experience, preferably with a mix of law firm and in-house experience, advising major corporate clients and/or corporate legal departments, including structuring, negotiating and drafting contracts, preferably specializing in issues relating to digital advertising.

• Substantial expertise and knowledge of advertising law and policy, and experience working with advertising and marketing clients.

• Experience providing legal services related to regulatory aspects of digital and online content and advertising, including FTC Guidelines, COPPA, CARU guidelines, other advertising industry guidelines, privacy, audience targeting, data security, and related matters.

• Experience providing legal services related to digital and mobile marketing, promotions, and related services and systems.

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.

• Demonstrated ability to identify and analyze complex issues, devise solutions, and streamline workflow.

• Superior negotiating, drafting, and writing skills, as well as ability to problem solve in an efficient, business-friendly, creative manner.

• Demonstrated success in earning the trust of senior legal and business management to manage complex and sensitive issues.

• Superior organizational skills with the ability to multi-task and prioritize workload efficiently and effectively.

• Strong leadership, management, and mentoring capabilities to help develop and motivate a team of lawyers, paralegals, and assistants.

• Excellent work ethic and interpersonal skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• More than fifteen (15) years of experience in all the above. 

• Experience providing legal advice in support of advertising technology.

Required Education

• JD or equivalent law degree from an accredited law school.

• Admission to the California State Bar or willingness and qualification to be Registered In-House Counsel.

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The hiring range for this position in Glendale, CA is $232,500 to $311,800 per year. 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.