Senior Counsel
About the role
Major League Baseball is seeking a Senior Counsel in the Legal Department to support MLB’s Business Development team by structuring, drafting, and negotiating bespoke commercial agreements, while managing high‑stakes inbound contracts from diverse counterparties. The role focuses on complex commercial transactions, preferably in gaming, sports betting, and federally regulated financial markets, and reports directly to the Senior Vice President and Head Counsel, Policy, Integrity & Compliance within MLB’s Legal Department.
Responsibilities
- Structure, draft, and lead negotiations for complex commercial agreements and other legal documents as required, with concentration in gaming, sports betting, and federally regulated financial market transactions
- Develop and maintain subject matter expertise on gaming, sports betting, and federally regulated financial market industry trends, regulations, and business models
- Develop, revise, and maintain standardized positions, templates, and playbooks for current and emerging business lines managed by MLB’s Business Development team
- Provide interpretation, counsel, and strategic guidance to internal stakeholders with respect to all current agreements, policies, and governing documents, with particular focus on gaming, sports betting, and federally regulated financial market transactions
- Proactively identify and mitigate legal, reputational, and operational risks inherent to emerging business opportunities and deliver decisive, clear, and business‑minded risk assessments directly to executive leadership
- Work collaboratively with MLB’s Business Development team to vet potential business opportunities
- Effectively manage outside counsel, as necessary
Qualifications
- J.D. from an accredited U.S. law school
- Active member in good standing of the New York State Bar or eligibility to gain admission by motion
- Minimum of 5 years of practicing legal experience required, preferably with foundational training within a top‑tier law firm or boutique corporate law firm
- Strong command of contracts, intellectual property, and general corporate law
- Extensive experience with licensed gaming, sports betting, and/or federally regulated financial markets strongly preferred
Skills
- Advanced drafting, negotiating, and problem‑solving skills
- Outstanding organizational skills and project management competence with proven ability to recommend and implement process improvements and efficiencies
- Strong oral and written communication (including editing) skills
- Professional demeanor, organized, and detail‑oriented
- Ability to work independently as well as collaboratively
- Interest and aptitude to take on leadership roles
- Demonstrated ability to think strategically and develop strategies to prioritize complex legal issues under tight operational timelines
- Ability to quickly build credibility and influence among executives, peers, and external stakeholders
Benefits
This temporary role is not eligible for standard full‑time employee benefits or bonuses.
Pay
Pay Range: $9,000.00 – $10,200.00 biweekly. The actual offer will carefully consider a wide range of factors, including work experience, education, skills, and any other factors MLB considers relevant to the hiring decision.
Schedule
Based in New York City and requires in‑office attendance five days per week.