Job Overview
Compensation
Salary
Range $144,300.00 - $195,500.00
Benefits
Health Insurance
Dental Insurance
Paid Time Off
Retirement Plan
Employee Discounts
Bonuses
Long-term incentives
Job Description
ESPN is a global leader in sports broadcasting and media, known for delivering comprehensive sports content across various platforms including television, digital media, and social networks. As part of The Walt Disney Company, ESPN operates at the forefront of sports entertainment, connecting millions of fans worldwide with live events, news, analysis, and exclusive programming. The company's innovative approach to media extends beyond traditional broadcasting to include direct-to-consumer offerings, digital platforms, and social media engagement, making it a dynamic and evolving environment for professionals in the legal field.
The Counsel position in ESPN's Legal Department is a critical role supporting the Deputy Chief Counsel, Assistant Chief Counsel, and other legal team members in managing the corporation's diverse legal affairs. This role encompasses a broad range of legal responsibilities, focusing on programming acquisitions, production agreements, marketing, promotion, digital media including social platforms, and distribution, as well as legal work related to direct-to-consumer business models. The position's primary location is Bristol, CT, with consideration also given to candidates based in New York, NY. Compensation ranges from $144,300 to $186,600 annually in Bristol and $151,200 to $195,500 in New York, with additional bonus opportunities and long-term incentives available based on experience and performance.
The Counsel will maintain up-to-date knowledge of relevant federal, state, and local laws, as well as enforce industry standards. They will draft, review, and negotiate contracts to protect ESPN's interests, ensuring compliance while enabling innovative content delivery and marketing strategies. Expertise in content licensing, intellectual property rights, digital media, marketing, and production agreements is essential. Additionally, the Counsel will engage in strategic advising to minimize legal risks, manage outside counsel in litigation matters, and participate in ongoing professional education and industry seminars.
The role demands a proactive approach in aligning legal strategies with corporate goals and operational needs. The Counsel will frequently collaborate with internal clients to advise on legal implications and potential risks involved in current and proposed operations. This includes reviewing policies and other important documents to safeguard ESPN's legal compliance. Leadership skills are also valued, as the Counsel may supervise paralegals and legal assistants and contribute to optimizing departmental workflows.
This is a unique opportunity for an experienced lawyer with a background in contract law and a strong interest in sports media and entertainment to contribute to one of the most recognized brands in sports broadcasting. By joining ESPN’s legal team, candidates will be at the heart of cutting-edge legal challenges in the media sector, working within a supportive and forward-thinking corporate culture that values innovation, professional development, and operational excellence.
The Counsel position in ESPN's Legal Department is a critical role supporting the Deputy Chief Counsel, Assistant Chief Counsel, and other legal team members in managing the corporation's diverse legal affairs. This role encompasses a broad range of legal responsibilities, focusing on programming acquisitions, production agreements, marketing, promotion, digital media including social platforms, and distribution, as well as legal work related to direct-to-consumer business models. The position's primary location is Bristol, CT, with consideration also given to candidates based in New York, NY. Compensation ranges from $144,300 to $186,600 annually in Bristol and $151,200 to $195,500 in New York, with additional bonus opportunities and long-term incentives available based on experience and performance.
The Counsel will maintain up-to-date knowledge of relevant federal, state, and local laws, as well as enforce industry standards. They will draft, review, and negotiate contracts to protect ESPN's interests, ensuring compliance while enabling innovative content delivery and marketing strategies. Expertise in content licensing, intellectual property rights, digital media, marketing, and production agreements is essential. Additionally, the Counsel will engage in strategic advising to minimize legal risks, manage outside counsel in litigation matters, and participate in ongoing professional education and industry seminars.
The role demands a proactive approach in aligning legal strategies with corporate goals and operational needs. The Counsel will frequently collaborate with internal clients to advise on legal implications and potential risks involved in current and proposed operations. This includes reviewing policies and other important documents to safeguard ESPN's legal compliance. Leadership skills are also valued, as the Counsel may supervise paralegals and legal assistants and contribute to optimizing departmental workflows.
This is a unique opportunity for an experienced lawyer with a background in contract law and a strong interest in sports media and entertainment to contribute to one of the most recognized brands in sports broadcasting. By joining ESPN’s legal team, candidates will be at the heart of cutting-edge legal challenges in the media sector, working within a supportive and forward-thinking corporate culture that values innovation, professional development, and operational excellence.
Job Requirements
- jd or equivalent
- admission to Connecticut State Bar or New York State Bar in good standing or willingness and qualification to be registered in-house counsel
- at least 2 years of contract law experience, including extensive drafting, in either a transactional or litigation capacity
Job Qualifications
- at least 2 years of contract law experience, including extensive drafting, in either a transactional or litigation capacity
- familiarity with content agreement negotiating including audiovisual programming, licensing and production agreements and intellectual property law including copyright, trademark, rights of publicity
- familiarity with the entertainment, broadcast/cable, internet, mobile, other digital including social media and/or sports businesses
- familiarity with audiovisual production legal work, including licensing of audiovisual content and data components
- familiarity with marketing matters
- experience supervising paralegal/legal support staff
Job Duties
- maintains current knowledge of applicable federal, state, and local laws and of industry legal standards and norms
- drafts contracts and other legal documents, recommends approval/modification of contracts proposed by outside parties, and negotiates with outside parties
- assists with/supports comparable tasks in other areas outside of core expertise/primary responsibility
- possesses and maintains knowledge in specialized legal areas, specifically in connection with content including audiovisual programming, licensing and production, intellectual property including copyright, trademark, rights of publicity, marketing and promotion, and/or digital including social media and platforms
- keeps internal clients fully informed of relevant legal issues and implications of their current operations and proposed actions, and advises them accordingly of risks and legal consequences of alternative actions
- reviews and edits significant policies, letters, work orders and other documents from applicable client departments to ensure that potential legal implications are appropriately addressed
- manages outside counsel in their representation of ESPN on litigation and other legal matters
- may directly supervise, on a non-exclusive basis, one or more paralegal and legal assistant colleagues
- participates in relevant professional associations, seminars, and conferences
- operates within the context of defined corporate strategies
- conceives and recommends and, with appropriate approvals, implements enhancements and improvements to established processes and workflows
- translates corporate strategy into mid- and long-term goals and the analysis and evaluation of trends in ESPN’s legal positioning and compliance into recommended corporate actions
- performs such other duties or functions as the Chief Counsel, Deputy Chief Counsel, Assistant Chief Counsel or an attorney reporting to any of them may delegate to them
- conceives and recommends strategies and initiatives to minimize the legal risks of current operations and proposed actions
Job Criteria
Experience
Mid Level (3-7 years)
Job Location
Your Profile Is Visible To Hiring Managers Across OysterLink.
We'll match you with best jobs
Get job offers faster
Search For More Opportunities:
How Candidates Get Hired Faster
Apply to 2–3 similar roles
Complete profile & get best matches
Check new opportunities daily
