Legal Counsel, Media & Intellectual Property

Yorktown Search Partners; Toronto; Hybrid; CAD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading executive search firm is looking for a Legal Counsel, Media & Intellectual Property for a fast-growing investment platform focused on media-for-equity transactions. This senior-level role requires a legal strategist adept in content rights and regulatory compliance, with a focus on navigating the dynamic intersection of media and private capital. Compensation includes a market-driven deferred salary, performance-linked incentives, and equity participation, rewarding strategic leadership and deal-making capabilities.

Qualifications

• 7+ years of experience in intellectual property or media law.
• Expertise in licensing and digital brand partnerships.
• Understanding of media industry trends and regulatory risk.

Responsibilities

• Draft, review, and negotiate media investment agreements.
• Lead IP strategy and ensure regulatory compliance.
• Oversee legal due diligence and manage external counsel.

Skills

Intellectual property

Media law

Commercial legal practice

Regulatory compliance

Education

Licensed to practice law in Canada or another common law jurisdiction

Job description

Position Title: Legal Counsel, Media & Intellectual Property
Location: Remote / Hybrid
Reports To: Managing Director
Compensation: Market-driven deferred salary, performance-linked incentives, and equity participation
Search Mandate: Yorktown Search Partners is conducting a confidential executive search on behalf of a private client operating in the media investment and digital brand space.

Overview

Yorktown Search Partners has been exclusively engaged to identify a Legal Counsel, Media & Intellectual Property for a confidential client-a fast-growing investment platform focused on media-for-equity transactions, digital brand acceleration, and IP-centric business models. The firm operates at the intersection of content, capital, and commercialization, with a diverse portfolio of brand-driven media assets.

This is a senior-level role for a commercially minded legal strategist. The successful candidate will lead legal strategy across content rights, licensing, regulatory compliance, and brand governance-shaping the way media and intellectual property intersect with private capital.

Compensation is structured as a market-driven deferred salary with significant equity participation and performance-based upside.

Key Responsibilities

Transaction & Contract Leadership

• Draft, review, and negotiate legal instruments related to media investments, including term sheets, equity-for-media agreements, shareholder agreements, and corporate governance documentation
• Structure licensing, syndication, and distribution deals with media partners and brand portfolios
• Support investment and business development teams on creative commercial structures and monetization strategies

IP & Regulatory Strategy

• Lead IP strategy and protection across trademarks, copyrights, usage rights, and digital licensing
• Ensure compliance with regulatory frameworks in Canada, the U.S., the U.K., and other key jurisdictions
• Provide guidance on media law, advertising standards, data privacy, and platform regulation

Legal Operations & Risk Management

• Oversee legal due diligence on content-led transactions and strategic partnerships
• Maintain a robust governance and compliance framework across portfolio activities
• Manage external counsel and align legal support with deal execution and efficiency goals

Key Qualifications

• 7+ years of experience in intellectual property, media law, or commercial legal practice
• Demonstrated expertise in licensing, content rights, and digital brand partnerships
• Strong understanding of media industry trends, platform distribution, and regulatory risk
• Licensed to practice law in Canada or another common law jurisdiction
• Experience in high-growth environments, creative deal structures, or investment platforms is a plus

Ideal Candidate Profile

The ideal candidate combines legal precision with business pragmatism. They thrive at the confluence of content, capital, and creativity-bringing a strategic lens to complex media transactions. This individual is energized by a fast-moving environment and is comfortable advising both founders and investors at the intersection of brand, IP, and monetization.

Compensation & Alignment

This opportunity is structured around long-term alignment and value creation. Compensation includes a market-driven deferred salary, performance-linked incentives, and equity participation in the platform's overall success. The structure rewards strategic leadership and dealmaking capability, not just legal output.

Application Process

All inquiries and applications will be handled in strict confidence. Interested candidates should submit a current CV and brief letter of interest to Yorktown Search Partners, referencing the confidential Legal Counsel, Media & IP mandate. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.