Sr. Counsel, Legal, Participations

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

Provides legal counsel to the Participations Department and other business units across Warner Bros. Discovery (e.g., Warner Bros. Television Group, Warner Bros. Motion Picture Group, HBO, WB Games) concerning issues relating to contingent compensation, including audits, reporting, participant agreements, and payee changes. Fields inquiries from auditors, participants, and their representatives.

Your Role Accountabilities

• Provides legal counsel to the Participations Department and other business units across Warner Bros. Discovery (e.g., Warner Bros. Television Group, Warner Bros. Motion Picture Group, HBO, WB Games) concerning issues relating to contingent compensation, including participant audits, participant accounting, payee changes, and participant agreements.

• Negotiates and drafts agreements and other legal documents for the Participations Department (e.g., audit deadline agreements, settlement agreements, notices of assignment, buyout agreements, confidentiality agreements).

• Reviews and analyzes a wide range of talent agreements, co-financing agreements, distribution agreements, and license agreements across various media.

• Fields inquiries from auditors, participants, and their representatives.

• Participates in audit meetings and settlement negotiations to resolve pre-litigation participations claims.

• Supervises outside counsel in their handling of transactional participations matters and partners with Litigation Department in supervising outside counsel in their handling of participations litigation.

• Attends both cooperative dispute resolution and adversarial legal proceedings as a representative of Warner Bros. Discovery and/or its affiliated companies.

• Delegates work to and supervises non-attorneys in the performance of legal-related tasks.

• Handles any other participations related legal tasks or projects, as assigned.

Qualifications & Experience

• A minimum of 4-7 years practicing law at a major law firm, entertainment law firm, or media entertainment company required. Experience with participations (whether in a litigation or transactional context) strongly preferred. Experience with commercial litigation (particularly breach of contract claims) also preferred.

• Undergraduate degree required.

• JD degree from an accredited law school required.

• Admission to California State Bar in good standing or willingness and qualification to be Registered In-House Counsel

• Knowledge of law and the legal environment in the entertainment industry sufficient to prepare legal documents, manage pre-litigation disputes, supervise outside counsel, and counsel management on the legal implications of their actions. Familiarity with the following subject areas is necessary: contract law, profit participation accounting, commercial litigation, including breach of contract claims

• Superior judgment, integrity, and interpersonal skills a must

• Excellent written and oral communication skills and organizational skills

• Ability to negotiate, draft, and interpret agreements, contracts, and other legal documents

• Ability to trouble-spot legal issues, research legal questions, and provide clear, concise advice

• Ability to handle multiple simultaneous projects, function well under pressure, and to prioritize and reprioritize as needed, while still being detail-oriented

• Ability to develop and maintain productive working relationships both internally and with auditors, participants, and their representatives

• Ability to delegate work, supervise, and evaluate non-attorneys engaged in the performance of legal-related tasks

• Ability to use Microsoft Office applications (e.g., Word, Excel)

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 recruitadmin@wbd.com.

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: $126,000.00 - $234,000.00 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.