TV Distribution Counsel

CREATIVITY IS OUR SUPERPOWER. It’s our heritage and it’s also our future. Because we don’t just make toys. We create innovative products and experiences that inspire fans, entertain audiences and develop children through play. Mattel is at its best when every member of our team feels respected, included, and heard—when everyone can show up as themselves and do their best work every day. We value and share an infinite range of ideas and voices that evolve and broaden our perspectives with a reach that extends into all our brands, partners, and suppliers.

The Opportunity: 

We’re seeking a talented individual with demonstrated lawyering skills to join Mattel’s expanding global TV practice. This position is located at Mattel’s headquarters in Los Angeles.

What Your Impact Will Be: 

Our lead candidates will be attorneys with the following attributes:

• Solution- and client-oriented team player
• Self-starter who works independently but knows when to elevate issues and seek advice from colleagues
• Intellectually curious and eager to develop into well-rounded IP deal lawyer, with a focus on a broad range of entertainment deals
• Attention to detail in all areas of a deal practice, particularly as to technically excellent drafting skills, effectively managing deal cadence and processes, and providing succinct, reliable deal clearance and other advice

While the “soft skills” above are requirements for this position, our ideal candidate will also have relevant substantive experience, with a minimum of 5 years’ experience as a transactional attorney and rigorous law firm training and/or in- house experience, with targeted experience that includes the following:

• Complex distribution agreements with domestic and international partners for television content, including, SVOD, AVOD, FAST, and traditional television distribution
• Rights management, including analysis of complex ownership and licensing arrangements and participations, royalties, and other rights-related payment structures

Although the current focus of this role is TV content distribution and rights management, we also welcome experience that includes the following:

• Structuring deals with an eye towards managing brands as franchises
• Content production and development (e.g., option/purchase, writer, director, producer, and other production-related agreements)
• Co-productions, including international partnerships and tax-based financing incentives
• Physical production, including clearances, music, talent, and guilds
• Product and brand integration

What We’re Looking For: 

• Partner to Supervisors and Clients. Cultivate the trust and confidence of, and be an effective partner to, the candidate’s supervisors and clients.
• Balanced Approach. Provide strategic legal and business advice that’s appropriately risk-balanced. Manage deals with risks and the long-term in mind, but without losing sight of the imperative to advance Mattel’s business and close deals – often with challenging deadlines.
• Strategic Thinker. Identify issues and relevant Mattel stakeholders early – and then creatively present solutions to those issues in constructive consultation with those stakeholders.
• Demonstrate Values. Excel in a culture that fosters and demands accountability, speed, trust, and ethical conduct. Work effectively within a talented, high-performing team of lawyers, paralegals, and support staff in far-flung time zones around the world. Kindness and respectfulness are essential.
• Curiosity and Growth. Be intellectually curious and eager to grow and develop. Be humble; recognize a continuing need to “learn on the job”; be receptive to constructive feedback; and elevate issues that are beyond one’s knowledge or comfort zone.
• Engaged Practice Management. Proactively manage expectations of clients, business partners, and staff. Also proactively manage deals, administrative functions, outside counsel and issues across offices, time zones, and sub-practice areas. Skillfully juggle constantly changing priorities and sometimes conflicting objectives.
• Excellent Work Product and Work Ethic. Write and present in a concise, audience-appropriate, and lucid manner – in emails, memos, presentations, and contracts.
• Great Attitude. Maintain a professional demeanor, in writing and in person, with clients, support staff, management, outside counsel, and business partners. A sense of humor is a plus.

Education

An undergraduate degree and a law degree, with strong academic performance at a highly-rated law school.

Professional Licensing

Good standing with at least one state bar and, if not licensed to practice in California, then a commitment to register to practice in California pursuant to California’s in-house counsel registration requirements.

The annual base salary range for this position is between $165,000 and $190,000
**This range is indicative of projected hiring range, however annual base salary will be determined based on a candidate’s work location, skills and experience.

Don’t meet every single requirement? At Mattel we are dedicated to building a diverse and inclusive workplace, so if you’re excited about this role but your past experience doesn’t align perfectly with every qualification in the job description, we encourage you to apply anyway. You may be just the right candidate for this or other roles.

How We Work:

We are a purpose driven company aiming to empower generations to explore the wonder of childhood and reach their full potential. We live up to our purpose employing the following behaviors:

• We collaborate: Being a part of Mattel means being part of one team with shared values and common goals. Every person counts and working closely together always brings better results. Partnership is our process and our collective capabilities is our superpower.
• We innovate: At Mattel we always aim to find new and better ways to create innovative products and experiences. No matter where you work in the organization, you can always make a difference and have real impact. We welcome new ideas and value new initiatives that challenge conventional thinking.
• We execute: We are a performance-driven company. We strive for excellence and are focused on pursuing best-in-class outcomes. We believe in accountability and ownership and know that our people are at their best when they are empowered to create and deliver results.

Our Approach to Flexible Work:

We embrace a flexible work model designed to empower a culture of growth, optimism, and wellbeing, where every employee can reach their full potential. Combining purposeful in-person collaboration with flexibility, our focus is to optimize performance and drive connection for moments that matter.

Who We Are:

Mattel is a leading global toy and family entertainment company and owner of one of the most iconic brand portfolios in the world. We engage consumers and fans through our franchise brands, including Barbie, Hot Wheels, Fisher-Price, American Girl, Thomas & Friends, UNO, Masters of the Universe, Matchbox, Monster High, MEGA and Polly Pocket, as well as other popular properties that we own or license in partnership with global entertainment companies. Our offerings include toys, content, consumer products, digital and live experiences. Our products are sold in more than 195 countries in collaboration with the world’s leading retail and ecommerce companies.

Mattel is recognized as a Great Place to Work™ and as one of Fast Company’s Best Workplaces for Innovators in 2022.

Visit us at https://jobs.mattel.com/ and www.instagram.com/MattelCareers.

Mattel is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer where we want you to bring your authentic self to work every day. We welcome all job seekers including minorities, females, veterans, military spouses, individuals with disabilities, and those of all sexual orientations and gender identities.

Pursuant to the Los Angeles Fair Chance Ordinance and the California Fair Chance Act, qualified applicants with arrest or conviction records will be considered for employment.

Videos to watch:
The Culture at Mattel
Mattel Investor Highlights