Hybrid Legal Counsel – Programming

at DIRECTV

• Job title: Legal Counsel – Programming
• Job type: Full Time
• Experience level: Mid level, Senior
• Salary: $178,852 - $324,697 per year
• Degree requirement: Postgraduate Degree
• Location requirements: Hybrid, Los Angeles, United States

About the role

• Join DIRECTV as an attorney handling content distribution agreements. Lead negotiations for broadcasting and digital media rights while collaborating cross-functionally with multiple departments.

Responsibilities

• Partner with the retransmission consent team content to develop strategy, deal structure, desired rights, and protections for retransmission consent and related agreements.
• Critically evaluate complex agreements.
• Clearly identify issues and opportunities to optimize DIRECTV’s position.
• Negotiate and draft retransmission consent agreements as well as agreements digital media rights, SVODs, direct-to-consumers.
• Work cross-functionally with the finance, marketing, engineering, product, content, and digital entertainment groups on business, legal, and regulatory matters.
• Identify, analyze, and interpret potential legal issues.
• Prepare and present legal point of view and counsel to senior management.
• Work closely with the content team in the administration of all distribution agreements including audits, MFN analyses, and contract compliance.
• Periodically work with outside counsel on distribution matters, FCC compliance, and antitrust issues.
• Contribute to the development of other attorneys and staff.
• Utilize AI tools in day-to-day activities for drafting analysis while understanding the limitations and deficiencies of AI tools.

Requirements

• Strong academic credentials from a highly recognized law school.
• Holds themselves to high professional standards; unquestionable integrity.
• High-volume transactional experience with a top tier law firm and content/programming acquisitions with a major studio, programmer, media company, and/or content distribution organization.
• At least 5 years of applicable content experience required.
• Preferred experience in retransmission consent negotiations.
• Experience with interactive and digital content distribution is highly preferred.
• Extensive knowledge of industry trends, technologies, and emerging platforms.
• Excellent communication skills, written and oral.
• Experience presenting to senior executives.
• Demonstrated ability to positively and proactively identify, prioritize, and address legal issues quickly and effectively.
• Proven negotiation skills and outstanding drafting abilities.
• Highly organized and ability to multi-task and manage multiple high-caliber deals with tight deadlines.
• Experience using or willingness to learn AI tools for day-to-day legal tasks.

Benefits

• DIRECTV's compensation structure is designed to be market-competitive and fully supports efforts to attract and retain employees.
• It is the company's policy to offer pay that is competitive with other employers in the local market.
• Salary ranges are determined by role, level, and location.
• Total compensation package includes salary, bonuses, and benefits.