Job Summary:

At Disney, we‘re storytellers. We make the impossible, possible. We do this through utilizing and developing cutting-edge technology and pushing the envelope to bring stories to life through our movies, direct-to-consumer streaming services, products, parks and experiences, and our television shows and networks. Now is your chance to join our talented team that delivers unparalleled creative content to audiences around the world.

The Distribution Legal group negotiates and provides legal counsel for the distribution of The Walt Disney Company’s world-class feature films, television content and online direct-to-consumer offerings. We represent Disney’s expansive portfolio of brands from the Walt Disney Studios (including Disney, Pixar, Marvel, Lucasfilm, Twentieth Century Studios and Searchlight) television entertainment, sports and news (including ABC Entertainment, ESPN, ABC News, Disney Channel/Disney Junior/Disney XD, FX Networks, National Geographic Channel and Freeform), and our innovative direct-to-consumer offerings (including Disney+, ESPN+, STAR+ and ABC News Live). The role is for the legal team supporting Disney Platform Distribution, which is part of the Disney Media and Entertainment Distribution (DMED) division.

This team is the legal hub for Disney content distribution on a global scale, including theatrical distribution, television network distribution, over-the-top distribution of direct-to-consumer offerings via video streaming platforms, physical home video, electronic home video (“EHV”), transactional video-on-demand (“TVOD”), subscription video-on-demand (“SVOD”), ad-supported video-on-demand (“AVOD”) and linear television. The group also advises business executives on distribution technology matters, related legal and policy matters, and handles content protection.

This role will primarily provide legal support to The Walt Disney Company’s physical (DVD/Blu-ray) in-home distribution team; additionally, it will work with the digital distribution team, negotiating and closing industry-leading content sale and license agreements. This position will also serve as an advisor and counsel to those teams regarding such agreements, and the overall business related thereto.

Responsibilities:

• Primarily, negotiate various entertainment-related agreements primarily for the distribution of physical media (e.g., DVD, Blu-ray), including, but not limited to, vendor agreements, rental agreements, purchase orders, videogram licensing agreements, sales and promotional discount agreements, and merchandising agreements with brick & mortar retailers, distributors, and other content licensees.
• Additionally, negotiate distribution agreements with digital licensees for the digital in-home distribution model (e.g., ecopy, electronic home video licenses, video on demand) for The Walt Disney Company movies and TV shows.
• Provide guidance on, and facilitate the implementation of, various business strategies in product distribution for sell-through/rental business models, physical/digital hybrid models, cross lines of business opportunities (e.g., consumer products, games), and other distribution-related initiatives.
• Assistance and enforcement of complex collection efforts for unpaid debts and claims disputes, including discovery, legal research and writing, memoranda preparation, and collection correspondence.
• Support various client groups in North America, including the sales team and related cross-functional areas such as, finance, marketing, operations, credit/collections, in-store supply chain.
• Provide legal advice on substantive areas of law, including, but not limited to, contract, anti-trust, bankruptcy, advertising, consumer protection, and intellectual property (including anti-piracy).

Basic Qualifications:

• Minimum 5 years of legal experience.
• Significant transactional experience in the entertainment industry.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Transactional experience in content distribution for home video, television and/or new media. Preferred experience in transactional work related to the same of home video discs.
• Significant exposure to and understanding of matters relating to intellectual property and antitrust.

Required Education

• JD or equivalent
• Admission to California State Bar or willingness and qualification to be Registered In-House Counsel

Additional Information:

LegalAffairs

About The Walt Disney Company (Corporate):

At Disney Corporate you can see how the businesses behind the Company’s powerful brands come together to create the most innovative, far-reaching and admired entertainment company in the world. As a member of a corporate team, you’ll work with world-class leaders driving the strategies that keep The Walt Disney Company at the leading edge of entertainment. See and be seen by other innovative thinkers as you enable the greatest storytellers in the world to create memories for millions of families around the globe.

About The Walt Disney Company:

The Walt Disney Company, together with its subsidiaries and affiliates, is a leading diversified international family entertainment and media enterprise with the following business segments: media networks, parks and resorts, studio entertainment, consumer products and interactive media. From humble beginnings as a cartoon studio in the 1920s to its preeminent name in the entertainment industry today, Disney proudly continues its legacy of creating world-class stories and experiences for every member of the family. Disney’s stories, characters and experiences reach consumers and guests from every corner of the globe. With operations in more than 40 countries, our employees and cast members work together to create entertainment experiences that are both universally and locally cherished.

This position is with TWDC Enterprises 18 Corp., which is part of a business segment we call The Walt Disney Company (Corporate).

TWDC Enterprises 18 Corp. is an equal opportunity employer. Applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability or protected veteran status. Disney fosters a business culture where ideas and decisions from all people help us grow, innovate, create the best stories and be relevant in a rapidly changing world.