Counsel

Paramount Pictures; Los Angeles (CA); On-site; USD 124,000 - 165,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive benefits

Generous paid time off

On-site & virtual engagement events

Job summary

Paramount Pictures is seeking a seasoned Counsel to negotiate and draft complex scripted television deals across development, production, and distribution. You will collaborate with Business Affairs executives, staff attorneys, and cross-functional teams to protect the studio’s interests and drive strategic outcomes.

The role emphasizes risk management, rights analysis, and complex deal structures, reporting to the VP, Business Affairs. This is a full-time in-office position based in California.

Qualifications

• 5 years’ experience negotiating a wide range of deals and drafting agreements in scripted television development and production at a major production company, television studio, network, streamer, or top-tier entertainment law company.
• Juris Doctorate (J.D.) from an accredited law school.
• California Bar Membership in good standing or eligibility to register as in-house counsel in California.
• Working knowledge of major WGA, DGA, and SAG-AFTRA collective bargaining agreements.
• Meaningful experience with intellectual property law (copyright and trademark).
• Exemplary negotiation and drafting skills with a track record of structuring and closing complex, high-value deals.

Responsibilities

• Lead and/or assist the negotiating and structuring of complex agreements across scripted television development and production.
• Interface with talent representatives and agencies for above-the-line talent.
• Manage domestic and international co-production, financing, and production services agreements.
• Advise on rights, clearances, IP, and guild/union compliance across projects.

Skills

Negotiation

Drafting

Legal analysis

Communication

Education

Juris Doctorate (J.D.)

California Bar Membership

Tools

WGA/DGA/SAG‑AFTRA knowledge

Job description

#WeAreParamount on a mission to unleash the power of content… you in? We’ve got the brands, we’ve got the stars, we’ve got the power to achieve our mission to entertain the planet - now all we’re missing is… YOU! Becoming a part of Paramount means joining a team of passionate people who not only recognize the power of content but also enjoy a touch of fun and uniqueness. Together, we co-create moments that matter - both for our audiences and our employees - and aim to leave a positive mark on culture.

Overview:

The Counsel will work with Business Affairs executives in the negotiation, structuring, and management of deals across the studio’s scripted television content - spanning development, production, and distribution/licensing. This role focuses on negotiating deals and/or drafting agreements for the studio’s projects, with a primary emphasis on content intended for sale and licensing to various third-party broadcasters, cable networks, and streaming platforms. The Counsel will work closely with staff attorneys and cross-functional business teams. Strong transactional skills, a sophisticated understanding of the evolving content landscape, an ability to manage multiple high-stakes matters concurrently, and a great balance of legal expertise and business acumen are required. The role is critical in protecting the studio’s interests, mitigating legal risk, and advising executives on strategic business and legal matters. This is a full-time in-office role, reporting to the VP, Business Affairs.

Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Deal Negotiation & Structuring: Lead and/or assist the negotiating and structuring of a wide range of complex agreements essential to scripted television, including: Acquisitions: Rights/underlying property acquisitions (e.g., life rights, book options/purchases). Above-the-Line Talent: Writers, producers, directors, and principal cast, interfacing directly with talent representatives and agencies. Production & Co-production: Domestic and international co-production agreements, financing, and production services agreements. Licensing & Distribution: Sale/license of studio-produced content to third-party platforms (e.g., streamers, networks) and international distributors
• Relationship Management & Collaboration: Cultivate strong, communicative relationships with various internal business groups, outside counsel, studio executives, and talent reps
• Strategic Business Counsel & Risk Management: Provide timely, practical, and strategic advice to Development, Production, and Finance teams regarding deal terms, legal risks, rights analysis, chain-of-title, intellectual property, clearances, and guild/union compliance (WGA, DGA, SAG-AFTRA)
• Leverage broad, in-depth understanding of the entertainment industry to identify creative, win-win solutions that achieve business goals while mitigating risk
• Policy & Procedure: Collaborate on foundational practices for the department, leading to more standardized, consistent practices around procedures, deal-making, and contracts
• Rights Management & IP: Partner with internal IP and Rights Management teams, as well as outside counsel, on rights matters, copyright and trademark matters, and clearance issues
• Capacity: Proven ability to manage a high volume of negotiations and transactions while prioritizing key deadlines across various business teams

Basic Qualifications:

• 5 years’ experience negotiating a wide range of deals and drafting agreements in scripted television development and production at a major production company, television studio, network, streamer, or top-tier entertainment law company
• Juris Doctorate (J.D.) degree from an accredited law school
• California Bar Membership (in good standing) or eligibility to register as in-house counsel in California
• Working knowledge of major WGA, DGA, and SAG-AFTRA collective bargaining agreements
• Meaningful experience with intellectual property law (copyright and trademark)
• Exemplary negotiation and drafting skills with a track record of structuring and closing complex, high-value deals

Additional Qualifications:

• Top-notch communication skills, judgment, and strategic analysis
• Impressive interpersonal and presentation skills, with the ability to communicate skillfully and build trust with internal and external stakeholders at all levels
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple concurrent negotiations and projects concurrently
• Ability to advise internal and external parties on business and legal affairs matters, resulting in collaborative, commercially sound outcomes

Additional Information Hiring Salary Range: $124,000.00 - 165,000.00.

Paramount Skydance Corporation (NASDAQ: PSKY) is a leading global media and entertainment company that creates premium content and experiences for audiences worldwide. Driven by iconic studios, networks and streaming services, Paramount’s portfolio of consumer brands includes CBS, Showtime Networks, Paramount Pictures, Nickelodeon, MTV, Comedy Central, BET, Paramount , and Pluto TV, among others. Paramount delivers the largest share of the U.S. television audience and boasts one of the industry’s most important and extensive libraries of TV and film titles. In addition to offering innovative streaming services and digital video products, the company provides powerful capabilities in production, distribution and advertising solutions.

The hiring salary range for this position applies to New York City, California, Colorado, Washington state, and most other geographies. Starting pay for the successful applicant depends on a variety of job-related factors, including but not limited to geographic location, market demands, experience, training, and education. The benefits available for this position include medical, dental, vision, 401(k) plan, life insurance coverage, disability benefits, tuition assistance program and PTO or, if applicable, as otherwise dictated by the appropriate Collective Bargaining Agreement. This position is bonus eligible.

What We Offer:

• Attractive compensation and comprehensive benefits packages. Check out our full list of benefits here: https://www.paramount.com/careers/benefits
• Generous paid time off.
• An exciting and fulfilling opportunity to be part of one of Paramount’s most dynamic teams.
• Opportunities for both on-site and virtual engagement events.
• Unique opportunities to make meaningful connections and build a vibrant community, both inside and outside the workplace.
• Explore life at Paramount: https://www.paramount.com/careers/life-at-paramount

Paramount is an equal opportunity employer (EOE) including disability/vet.

At Paramount, the spirit of inclusion feeds into everything that we do, on-screen and off. From the programming and movies we create to employee benefits/programs and social impact outreach initiatives, we believe that opportunity, access, resources and rewards should be available to and for the benefit of all. Paramount is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace. We are committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, color, ethnicity, ancestry, religion, creed, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship status, marital status, disability, gender identity, gender expression, and Veteran status.

If you are a qualified individual with a disability or a disabled veteran, you may request a reasonable accommodation if you are unable or limited in your ability to use or access https://www.paramount.com/careers as a result of your disability. You can request reasonable accommodations by calling 212.846.5500 or by sending an email to [e-mail]. Only messages left for this purpose will be returned.