Senior Counsel - Entertainment

Authentic-Brands-Group-LLC-1; New York (NY); Hybrid; USD 165,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Authentic Brands Group, a global brand and entertainment platform, seeks a Senior Counsel to lead IP licensing for its entertainment and consumer brands. The role focuses on drafting and negotiating key licensing agreements while balancing business needs with risk.

The candidate will work with business development, brand management and marketing teams across North America and internationally. Based in New York City or Los Angeles, you will operate in a fast-paced environment with a four-day

Qualifications

• J.D. from an ABA-accredited law school and a valid New York license.
• 8+ years of relevant legal experience in IP licensing, consumer brands, or entertainment transactions.
• Proven ownership and accountability for projects with strong communication to leadership.

Responsibilities

• Draft, review and negotiate IP and consumer products licensing agreements, including trademarks and copyrights.
• Develop templates, playbooks and guidance to improve efficiency and consistency.
• Identify legal and commercial risks and provide practical, business-oriented solutions.
• Partner with cross-functional teams on new business initiatives and product launches.
• Advise senior stakeholders on trademarks, copyrights and other IP throughout the licensing lifecycle.

Skills

IP licensing

Contract negotiation

Entertainment law

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

J.D. from ABA-accredited school

New York bar license

Tools

CLM platforms

Harvey / Claude AI tools

MS Office

Job description

Authentic Brands Group (Authentic) is a global brand and entertainment platform that owns and invests in iconic intellectual property and cultural assets. It accelerates brands through a set of specialized businesses that combine powerful storytelling, premium content, unforgettable live experiences and global commerce. Through a network of more than 1,700 best-in-class licensees and strategic partners across 150 countries and expansive distribution, Authentic’s brands drive more than $36 billion in annual systemwide retail sales worldwide.

Authentic’s diversified portfolio spans more than 50 brands and reaches nearly one billion social media followers. Its roster includes Reebok, Champion, Shaquille O’Neal, David Beckham, Kevin Hart, Sports Illustrated, Elvis Presley, Muhammad Ali, Marilyn Monroe, GUESS, Aéropostale, Nautica, Eddie Bauer, Lucky Brand, Nine West, Brooks Brothers, Juicy Couture, Vince Camuto, Izod, Van Heusen, Dockers, Ted Baker, Hart Schaffner Marx, Vince, Barneys New York, Judith Leiber, Quiksilver, Spyder, Billabong, Volcom, Roxy, RVCA, DC Shoes, Prince, Sperry and Hunter.

You’ll be able to access the resources and scale, while leveraging innovative technology and nimble environment. What we’re saying is, this isn’t your average day job. If you’re hungry to drive ideas into action and own your career, let’s chat. Our team is rapidly innovating to evolve and define the future of our brands. With the help of some of the brightest minds in retail, marketing, licensing, legal and more, we are building the intersection of digital and experiential marketing to help achieve that mission. We reimagine, evolve and transform brands! At Authentic, we foster an inclusive workplace where diversity of thought and expertise drive competitive advantage. Our global teams are built by go-getters who contribute unique perspectives and push the boundaries of creativity and innovation. Headquartered in New York City, Authentic has offices in major metropolitan cities including Los Angeles and Miami, as well as Toronto, Mexico City, London, and Shanghai.

What You'll Do

We are looking for someone to join our team based in our New York City office. As Senior Counsel, you'll focus on entertainment, sports and consumer products licensing for our portfolio of entertainment brands including high profile talent. You'll thrive in our fast-paced environment and articulate positions related to intellectual property licensing in a way that balances business needs with risk mitigation, with an eye on achieving business results. As a member of the legal team, you will draft and negotiate Authentic's key entertainment deals in tandem with Authentic's business development and brand management teams. You'll report directly to the Senior Vice President, Legal - Entertainment, who is based in New York. This role regularly partners with colleagues across North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and Latin America, Intellectual Property Department and other internal business units (e.g., Marketing/Communications, Finance, Operations, etc.). This position is primarily based in our New York City or Los Angeles office and follows a four-day in-office, one-day remote hybrid schedule.

What You'll Be Working On

• Drafting, reviewing and negotiating agreements relating to intellectual property and consumer products licensing (with an emphasis on trademarks and copyrights), endorsements, character appearances, sponsorships, and location-based events. Work also includes permission and clearance agreements, term sheets, agreements/rules for sweepstakes / contests, legal letters and settlement agreements.
• Develop contract templates, playbooks, and internal guidance to improve efficiency and consistency.
• Identify legal and commercial risks while developing practical, business-oriented solutions.
• Partner with cross-functional teams on new business initiatives, strategic partnerships, and product launches.
• Serve as a trusted legal advisor to senior business stakeholders throughout the lifecycle of licensing and commercial initiatives.
• Providing advice and counsel regarding trademarks, copyrights and other intellectual property.
• Coordinating directly and efficiently with colleagues from Authentic's business development, brand management, and marketing teams.
• Enabling the business to timely achieve its targets, while respecting the Company's principles and applicable laws, and assisting in embedding these principles into the Company's processes and decisions.
• Implementing and overseeing corporate policies, procedures, and programs.
• Partner with internal and external counsel with ongoing general matters for the Legal Department, as required in the day-to-day functioning of the Company and the Legal Department.
• Supporting brand protection and anti-counterfeiting efforts, including coordinating cease-and-desist activity, and working with the Intellectual Property Department on monitoring and enforcement programs.
• Advising on children's advertising and privacy compliance, including COPPA, FTC guidelines, and CARU advertising standards, as applicable to our kids-focused brands and its licensees.
• Assisting with royalty audits, including reviewing audit rights provisions, coordinating with Finance on licensee audits, and interpreting royalty reports and statements.
• Managing the lifecycle of existing licensing agreements, including renewals, terminations, defaults, and cure notices.

Must Haves

• J.D. from an ABA-accredited law school, and a valid license to practice law in New York State.
• 8+ years of relevant legal experience, including meaningful experience supporting intellectual property licensing, consumer products, entertainment, or related commercial transactions in-house and/or at a nationally recognized law firm. Proven ability to effectively execute on assigned priorities and initiatives instructions concerning both specific assignments and general policies.
• Demonstrated track record of ownership and accountability for projects, duties, and tasks.
• Demonstrated ability to manage up, including proactively seeking clarification and alignment on projects and duties, and proactively communicating priorities, risks, and progress with stakeholders and leadership.
• Experience leveraging legal technology, including AI-assisted legal research and drafting tools (e.g., Harvey, Claude, or similar platforms), and contract lifecycle management (CLM) platforms and approval workflow tools. Proficiency with: MS Office (Word, Excel, Outlook)
• English fluency is a must; proficiency and/or fluency in additional languages is a plus.
• A passion for the intersection of entertainment, business, and the law.
• Prior experience with character licensing, entertainment IP, or children's brand licensing strongly preferred.
• Strong commercial judgment with the ability to balance legal risk against business objectives.

Nice to Haves

• Experience with children's brands, family entertainment IP, or consumer products targeting minors.
• Proficiency in one or more additional languages beyond English.

Primary Location Salary Range: $165,000 - $180,000

For individuals with disabilities or religious obligations who would like to request an accommodation, please contact [e-mail]

Authentic is an equal-opportunity employer and we value and embrace the diversity and inclusion of all Team Members. We do not discriminate on the basis of gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, national origin, disability, age, marital status, protected veteran status, or other legally protected status.