Legal Counsel

WME Group seeks a talented and highly motivated Legal Counsel to join its Legal and Business Affairs team supporting the Brand Strategy division of WME**.**  This position is located in New York, NY and reports to the Senior Vice President, Associate General Counsel. The ideal candidate brings strong transactional experience from a top law firm and/or in-house legal department, including commercial transactions, advertising, marketing, sponsorship and digital experience.  **Key Areas of Focus:** ​ * **Entertainment Marketing & Advisory:** Partner with senior leaders on entertainment-driven marketing initiatives, including advising on brand integrations, partnerships, and strategic campaigns tied to film, television, and broader media ecosystems.   * **Properties & Sponsorship:** Support executives within the WME Brand Strategy department to execute of deals related to the commercialization of third party rights and sponsorships.   * **Strategic Partnerships & Retainer-Based Deals:** Lead legal support for high-value, long-term commercial relationships, including innovative brand partnerships, product placement, retainer engagements and content-driven collaborations (e.g., campaigns tied to major film releases or IP-driven initiatives).  **Position Responsibilities:**  * Lead the drafting, negotiation, and execution of a wide range of complex commercial agreements, including agency, consulting, master services, talent, influencer, representation, licensing, creative services, sponsorship, vendor, marketing and digital services agreements.  * Serve as a primary legal and business affairs partner to business teams, providing strategic, solutions-oriented guidance across high-profile Brand Strategy initiatives.  * Advise senior stakeholders with actionable guidance on legal and business risks rincluding intellectual property, FTC and guild compliance considerations.  * Independently manage contractual obligations, including interpreting key provisions, ensuring compliance, and advising on exclusivity and conflict considerations.  * Partner cross-functionally with business, finance, and compliance teams to support deal structuring and execution for complex, multi-faceted engagements.  * Provide timely and practical legal advice on contract interpretation, enforcement, and risk mitigation.  * Implementing and refining contract-administration and document-management processes.  * Fostering positive long-term relationships with the company’s clients and customers.  * Support strategic initiatives and special projects as needed.  **Qualifications:**  * JD from an ABA-accredited law school.  * Active membership in the New York State Bar, in good standing, is required.  * Minimum of 5 years of relevant legal experience, with a strong preference for candidates with experience in entertainment, media, sports, or an agency environment.  * Demonstrated experience independently leading complex commercial transactions and advising business stakeholders.  * Strong familiarity with advertising, marketing, intellectual property, and digital media legal frameworks.  * Proven ability to assess risk, provide clear recommendations, and influence decision-making at multiple levels of the organization.  * Ability to manage multiple priorities and operate effectively in a fast-paced, evolving environment.  * Exceptional drafting, negotiation, and analytical skills, with a strong attention to detail.  * Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to translate complex legal concepts into practical business guidance.  * Collaborative, solutions-oriented mindset with a strong sense of ownership and accountability.  _Per local requirements and in the interest of transparency, the rate shown below reflects the prevalent current hiring range for this position. Hiring pay rates are based on a number of factors, including location and may vary depending on job-related qualifications, knowledge, skills and experience. The company strives to provide locally competitive rewards packages, which include base rate along with, as applicable, short- and long-term incentives, growth and developmental opportunities, and robust benefits, such as health care, retirement, vacation and other paid time off, and additional offerings._ _Hiring Rate Minimum:_ $112,500 annually (minimum will not fall below the applicable state/local minimum salary thresholds) _Hiring Rate Maximum:_ $150,000 annually WME is an equal opportunity employer and encourages applications from qualified and eligible candidates regardless of sex, race, disability, age, sexual orientation, or religion or belief.