Sr. Director, Legal, Intellectual Property

Posted:
8/17/2024, 5:00:00 PM

Location(s):
Maryland, United States ⋅ New York, New York, United States ⋅ California, United States ⋅ Burbank, California, United States ⋅ Silver Spring, Maryland, United States ⋅ New York, United States

Experience Level(s):
Expert or higher ⋅ Senior

Field(s):
Legal & Compliance

Welcome to Warner Bros. Discovery… the stuff dreams are made of.

Who We Are…

When we say, “the stuff dreams are made of,” we’re not just referring to the world of wizards, dragons and superheroes, or even to the wonders of Planet Earth. Behind WBD’s vast portfolio of iconic content and beloved brands, are the storytellers bringing our characters to life, the creators bringing them to your living rooms and the dreamers creating what’s next…

From brilliant creatives, to technology trailblazers, across the globe, WBD offers career defining opportunities, thoughtfully curated benefits, and the tools to explore and grow into your best selves. Here you are supported, here you are celebrated, here you can thrive.

Your New Role

WBD seeks a talented attorney to join its Intellectual Property Group.  This attorney will support both the Copyright and IP Policy functions within the Global IP department.  This attorney will take a meaningful role in shaping artificial intelligence (AI) policies, providing strategic advice and risk assessments to clients on their use of AI, and participating in industry advocacy on AI laws and regulations.  The attorney will evaluate various AI related matters and use cases from an IP/ copyright perspective and provide subject matter expertise on various IP legal issues associated with AI.  The attorney will structure, draft, and assist in negotiating AI provisions relating to the company’s use of AI as well as protecting the company’s IP rights.  In addition, the attorney will support a variety of IP policy efforts of the company relevant to the media and entertainment industry, including but not limited to issues related to copyright and AI both domestically and internationally. 

The attorney can also expect to advise various parts of the business on a range of copyright and related IP matters.  This may include fair use analysis, chain of title analysis, and the evaluation of various IP (copyright and related) claims. 

    

Your Role Accountabilities

  • Evaluate and provide strategic advice to clients on the use of AI, including the risks and benefits for teams across the company from an IP/copyright perspective, including evaluating proposed AI use cases. 

  • Work closely with clients to draft AI policies and AI contractual provisions and provide subject matter expertise for transactions involving AI. 

  • Take a meaningful role shaping the Company’s IP policy efforts on a variety of policy matters relevant to the media and entertainment industry in the US and internationally, including AI and copyright. Track meaningful developments in copyright/AI related cases and proposed AI legislation.   

  • Advise business on a wide range of copyright and related IP matters, including fair use analysis, public domain, right of publicity, chain of title analysis, and evaluation of various IP (copyright and related) claims. 

Qualifications & Experience

  • At least 8+ years of relevant, substantive IP/ copyright experience.

  • Experience as in-house counsel and/or within entertainment industry highly preferred, but not required.

  • Previous experience with tracking and advising on IP policy matters preferred.

  • Prior transactional law experience with entertainment or technology transactions strongly preferred.  

  • BA/BS degree

  • JD degree from an accredited law school

  • Admission to at least one state bar

  • Strong interest in and knowledge of AI, and ability to keep up to date with the changing legal and regulatory landscape.

  • Excellent drafting skills and ability to craft AI-related policies and provisions tailored to varied risk assessments.

  • Extensive experience counseling clients at all levels, and proven ability to become a trusted advisor regarding IP issues.

  • Must be able to research legal questions and be able to clearly present complex legal advice in fast-paced environment.

  • Strong communication and interpersonal skills; and ability to influence to collaborate effectively are essential.

  • Ability to conceptualize and articulate practical and creative solutions to meet business needs and legal requirements.

  • Ability to spot and analyze complex issues and devise practical strategies and solutions

How We Get Things Done…

This last bit is probably the most important! Here at WBD, our guiding principles are the core values by which we operate and are central to how we get things done. You can find them at www.wbd.com/guiding-principles/  along with some insights from the team on what they mean and how they show up in their day to day. We hope they resonate with you and look forward to discussing them during your interview.

Championing Inclusion at WBD

Warner Bros. Discovery embraces the opportunity to build a workforce that reflects the diversity of our society and the world around us. Being an equal opportunity employer means that we take seriously our responsibility to consider qualified candidates on the basis of merit, without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, mental or physical disability, and genetic information, marital status, citizenship status, military status, protected veteran status or any other category protected by law.

If you’re a qualified candidate and you require adjustments or accommodations to search for a job opening or apply for a position, please contact us at [email protected].

In compliance with local law, we are disclosing the compensation, or a range thereof, for roles in locations where legally required. Actual salaries will vary based on several factors, including but not limited to external market data, internal equity, location, skill set, experience, and/or performance. Base pay is just one component of Warner Bros. Discovery’s total compensation package for employees. Pay Range: $164,500.00 - $305,500.00 salary per year. Other rewards may include annual bonuses, short- and long-term incentives, and program-specific awards. In addition, Warner Bros. Discovery provides a variety of benefits to employees, including health insurance coverage, an employee wellness program, life and disability insurance, a retirement savings plan, paid holidays and sick time and vacation.