Associate Commercial Counsel

Summary

Join DEPT® as an Associate Commercial Counsel and play a key role in optimizing contract-related processes for the US region. You will draft, review, and negotiate agreements, ensuring compliance and managing risks. This role demands strong legal acumen, collaboration skills, and a business-minded approach. You will advise management, identify process improvements, and build relationships with internal and external stakeholders. The ideal candidate possesses a Juris Doctor, relevant experience, and excellent communication skills. DEPT® offers a collaborative environment and a comprehensive benefits package.

Requirements

• Juris Doctor and bar membership in good standing in at least one U.S. state
• 2+ years of previous transactional contract experience, including redlining, negotiation, and contract management. In house experience and litigation experience is a plus
• Strong organizational, traffic management, and operational skills
• Ability to move quickly yet efficiently to protect risk while maximizing turn-around time
• Knowledge of applicable statutes, rules, and regulations pertaining to DEPT®’s business and its states/countries of operation
• A high level of complex problem-solving, critical thinking, and information analysis skills are essential for this role
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• The ability to encourage and build mutual trust, respect, and cooperation among all DEPT® team members that we interact with
• Strong focus on treating everyone at DEPT® as a client, and treating DEPT®’s clients with respect and a win-win problem solving demeanor
• Ability to predict and prevent legal issues and risks
• Effectively represent the organization as appropriate in its relationship with legal and business communities
• Comfort with AI-based contract review tools (and willingness to continuously learn as these tools evolve)
• High professional and personal standards with unquestioned integrity

Responsibilities

• Drafting, Reviewing, and Negotiating Contracts Draft, review, and redline agreements—including MSAs, SOWs, NDAs, DPAs, vendor, consulting, production, and talent agreements
• Negotiate agreements with counterparties (both clients and vendors) and effectively representing the company
• Contract Management and Compliance Oversee contract compliance with established company processes and policies
• Continuously support the refinement and improvement of DEPT®’s contract templates to reflect current business and legal considerations
• Monitor changes in applicable laws, regulations, and best practices relevant to DEPT®’s operations
• Risk Management and Dispute Handling Collaborate with the DEPT® Legal team to address commercial disputes and issues, providing risk assessments and recommending solutions
• Advise company management at all levels on legal matters, ensuring timely and actionable guidance
• Process Improvement and Relationship Building Identify process gaps and propose creative solutions in collaboration with relevant stakeholders
• Cultivate strong working relationships with business teams to better tailor our contracts
• Coordinate with external experts (e.g., subject matter counsel) where required
• Professional Development and Knowledge Sharing Stay up to date on industry standards, emerging legal trends, and technologies (including AI-driven tools)
• Share insights and expertise with Legal team members, fostering a culture of continuous learning

Preferred Qualifications

Experience with creative production contracts (music licensing, talent agreements, video production agreements) a plus

Benefits

• Healthcare, Dental, and Vision coverage
• 401k plan, plus matching
• PTO
• Paid Company Holidays
• Parental Leave