Senior Counsel - Entertainment

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.

About the role

We are looking for a Senior Counsel to join our team based in our New York City office. In this role, 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, articulating positions related to intellectual property licensing in a way that balances business needs with risk mitigation while achieving business results. As a member of the legal team, you will draft and negotiate Authentic's key entertainment deals in tandem with business development and brand management teams. You will report directly to the Senior Vice President, Legal - Entertainment, based in New York. This role regularly partners with colleagues across North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and Latin America, as well as the Intellectual Property Department and other internal business units (e.g., Marketing/Communications, Finance, Operations). 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.

Responsibilities

• Draft, review, and negotiate 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.
• Provide advice and counsel regarding trademarks, copyrights, and other intellectual property.
• Coordinate directly and efficiently with colleagues from business development, brand management, and marketing teams.
• Enable the business to achieve its targets while respecting the Company's principles and applicable laws, and assist in embedding these principles into processes and decisions.
• Implement and oversee corporate policies, procedures, and programs.
• Partner with internal and external counsel on ongoing general matters for the Legal Department.
• Support brand protection and anti-counterfeiting efforts, including coordinating cease-and-desist activity and working with the Intellectual Property Department on monitoring and enforcement programs.
• Advise 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.
• Assist with royalty audits, including reviewing audit rights provisions, coordinating with Finance on licensee audits, and interpreting royalty reports and statements.
• Manage the lifecycle of existing licensing agreements, including renewals, terminations, defaults, and cure notices.

Requirements

• 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.
• 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.

Pay

$165,000 - $180,000

Schedule

Four-day in-office, one-day remote hybrid schedule.