Legal Counsel

Umbrella; Melbourne; On-site; AUD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

Umbrella, an independent film distributor and production company in Australia, seeks a commercially minded Legal Counsel to combine legal expertise with involvement in film acquisitions, distribution and development. As sole in-house counsel, you'll draft and negotiate contracts, manage licensing and rights, advise on corporate governance, and partner with senior leaders to mitigate risk.

You may also participate in production activities.

Qualifications

• Australian-qualified lawyer with 3-5 years post-qualification experience in commercial law.
• Strong contract drafting and negotiation experience.
• Knowledge of intellectual property and copyright law.
• Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.

Responsibilities

• Draft, review and negotiate a wide range of commercial agreements.
• Provide practical legal advice across commercial, corporate and operational matters.
• Manage licensing, distribution and acquisition agreements.
• Support intellectual property, copyright and rights management activities.
• Coordinate external legal advisers where specialist advice is required.
• Manage legal documentation, contract administration and internal legal systems.
• Assist with production-related legal matters and future film financing activities.
• Partner with senior leadership to identify and mitigate commercial risk.

Skills

Contract drafting

Negotiation

Intellectual property

Stakeholder management

Education

Law degree

Job description

Join one of Australia's most respected independent film distributors and production companies.

This is a rare opportunity for a commercially minded Legal Counsel to combine legal expertise with genuine involvement in the film and entertainment industry.

Working closely with the Managing Director and General Manager, you'll provide legal guidance across the business while taking ownership of contract negotiations, rights management and commercial agreements that support film acquisitions, distribution and future productions.

If you're looking for a role that goes beyond traditional in-house legal work and want to be part of a passionate, creative business, we'd love to hear from you.

The Opportunity

As the sole in-house legal resource, you'll play a key role in protecting and supporting the business across a broad range of commercial and legal matters.

You'll work across contract drafting and negotiation, intellectual property, licensing, rights management, corporate governance and commercial advice, while partnering with internal stakeholders to ensure legal risk is managed effectively.

You'll also have the opportunity to become involved in film production and development activities as the production division continues to grow.

Key Responsibilities

• Draft, review and negotiate a wide range of commercial agreements.
• Provide practical legal advice across commercial, corporate and operational matters.
• Manage licensing, distribution and acquisition agreements.
• Support intellectual property, copyright and rights management activities.
• Coordinate external legal advisers where specialist advice is required.
• Manage legal documentation, contract administration and internal legal systems.
• Assist with production-related legal matters and future film financing activities.
• Partner with senior leadership to identify and mitigate commercial risk.

About You

You'll be an Australian-qualified lawyer with at least 3-5 years' post-qualification experience in commercial law, either in private practice or in-house.

You'll also bring:

• Strong commercial contract drafting and negotiation experience.
• Knowledge of intellectual property and copyright law.
• Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills.
• Strong organisational skills with exceptional attention to detail.
• A practical, solutions-focused approach to legal advice.
• The ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Experience within media, entertainment, film, technology or intellectual property will be highly regarded but is not essential.

Why Join?

• Rare opportunity to work in Australia's film and entertainment industry.
• Broad commercial role with genuine business influence.
• Work closely with an experienced executive leadership team.
• Diverse and interesting legal work across acquisitions, licensing, production and distribution.
• Collaborative, passionate and creative culture.
• Opportunity to grow with an expanding business.

If you're looking for a commercially focused legal role where no two days are the same, we'd love to hear from you.