Legal Counsel

Why we're hiring:

ABOUT MOTION ENTERTAINMENT

Motion Entertainment funds, develops, produces, and distributes premium television and digital content, including award-winning programming, around the globe. We partner with the world's leading producers, talent, networks, and platforms. Through innovative commercial and creative partnerships, Motion Entertainment also works alongside WPP Media agencies to produce original brand-funded content and unique entertainment partnerships that create value and help clients play a positive and active role in culture. The company has co-produced over 2,300 series, equating to over 42,000 hours of television across all programming genres. Motion Entertainment currently operates in 35+ countries worldwide with headquarters in London and Los Angeles. Motion Entertainment is part of WPP Media, a WPP company.

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ABOUT THE LEGAL TEAM

Motion Entertainment's legal team is a specialist unit within the broader WPP legal team, based in London. We advise Motion Entertainment's businesses on UK and international legal matters. The Legal Counsel will report to the Global Legal Director and provide comprehensive legal support across all aspects of Motion Entertainment's business.

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THE ROLE

Motion Entertainment is seeking an experienced and ambitious lawyer to be based in our legal centre of excellence in Mumbai but work closely with our London-based team and colleagues globally. Reporting to the Global Legal Director, the Legal Counsel will play a pivotal role in assisting our commercial and creative teams with the investment, development, co-production, and distribution of premium television content. This position offers unparalleled exposure to a diverse range of leading producers, broadcasters, distributors, format creators, and media platforms, providing a rare opportunity to significantly develop your legal career within the dynamic media and entertainment sector. The Legal Counsel will be tasked with negotiating complex and high-value contracts and providing essential support to the Global Legal Director.

What you'll be doing:

The Legal Counsel will take ownership of a broad range of legal matters, including:

• Drafting and negotiating a variety of complex agreements, including:

• Finance agreements (e.g., pre-sales, deficit financing, recoupment schedules)

• Co-production and co-financing agreements

• Development agreements (e.g., options, literary purchase agreements)

• Talent and attachment agreements (e.g., writers, directors, producers, key cast)

• Underlying rights agreements with potential rights holders

• Reviewing and advising on commissioning agreements with international broadcasters and SVOD platforms.

• Reviewing and advising on international distribution agreements.

• Providing pragmatic legal advice and support on production-related issues as they arise (e.g., clearances, contributor agreements, location agreements, health & safety, insurance).

• Assisting with internal legal processes, including board approvals and contract execution formalities.

• Conducting legal research and staying abreast of developments in both the linear TV and VOD industries, as well as broader intellectual property law.

• Assisting the legal team with updating and maintaining contract precedents in accordance with Motion Entertainment's business needs, and drafting know-how guides for internal stakeholders.

• Contributing to the development and implementation of commercial and legal best practices within the company.

• Liaising effectively with external counsel on specific matters when required.

What you'll need:

Experience and Qualifications

Professional Qualification: Qualified solicitor in either England & Wales or another common law based or equivalent jurisdiction with 5 years' Post-Qualified Experience (PQE).

• Sector Expertise: Significant legal and business affairs experience gained either in-house at a television production company, broadcaster, platform, or within a leading media and entertainment law firm.

• Industry Understanding: A strong understanding of, and genuine interest in, the television industry, including international television distribution, production processes (e.g., budgeting, finance, development, commissioning), and industry conventions.

• Contract Negotiation: Proven experience negotiating high-value and complex agreements, particularly commissioning agreements with international broadcasters and SVOD platforms.

• Legal Acumen: A robust grasp of commercial law and intellectual property law, with a particular emphasis on copyright.

• Drafting Skills: Demonstrable ability to draft clear, concise, and commercially astute legal documentation.

• Pragmatic Approach: Able to take a pragmatic, risk-based, and commercially minded approach to legal advice and problem-solving.

• Attention to Detail: Meticulous attention to detail.

• Flexibility and Adaptability: Ability to work flexibly, including attending calls or meetings across different time zones, and to manage competing deadlines and a varied workload effectively.

• Team Player: A collaborative approach, embraces feedback, with the ability to work effectively as part of a team.

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DESIRABLE SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE

• Familiarity with programming commissioning terms (e.g., PACT terms of trade, Guild agreements) and regulatory requirements (e.g., Ofcom Broadcasting Code).

• Awareness of new content-related laws.

• Understanding of diverse content funding models, including international co-productions, tax incentives, and brand-funded content.

• Understanding of the legal issues presented by generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) and synthetic content in the context of content creators and rights holders.

• Familiarity with unscripted genres (e.g., formats, reality, observational documentaries).

• An understanding of IP laws as they relate to media and entertainment, including defamation, privacy, copyright infringement, and passing off.