Legal Counsel - Commercial (International)

Job Description

THE AGENCY

Creative Artists Agency (CAA) is the leading entertainment and sports agency, with global expertise in filmed and live entertainment, digital media, publishing, sponsorship sales and endorsements, media finance, consumer investing, fashion, brand management and consumer product licensing, and philanthropy. Distinguished by its culture of collaboration and exceptional client service, CAA’s diverse workforce identifies, innovates, and amplifies opportunities for the people and organisations that shape culture and inspire the world. The trailblazer of the agency business, CAA was the first to build a sports business, create an investment bank, launch a venture fund, found technology start-up companies, establish a philanthropic arm, build a business in China, form a brand marketing services division, and launch a family office advisory practice, among other innovations. Named Most Valuable Sports Agency by Forbes for nine consecutive years, CAA represents more than 3,000 of the world’s top athletes in football, baseball, basketball, hockey, and soccer, in addition to coaches, on-air broadcasters, and sports personalities and works in the areas of property sales and sponsorships, media advisory, brand consulting, venue development and strategic advisory, and executive search.

Founded in 1975, CAA is headquartered in Los Angeles, and has offices in New York, London, Nashville, Munich, Shanghai, Beijing, Chicago, Washington, D.C., Singapore, Toronto, Denver, Charlotte, Jacksonville, and Atlanta, among other locations globally.  For more information, please visit www.caa.com.

OVERVIEW

The Office of the Chief Legal Officer at CAA provides dedicated legal support in the areas of corporate transactions, commercial agreements, legal and regulatory compliance, advice and counselling, employment matters and governmental affairs.

The Legal Counsel – Commercial (International) will report to the Lead Counsel – Corporate, Commercial and Compliance (International) based in London and work closely with the wider OCLO team based in Los Angeles, CAA’s Business Affairs teams and Local Counsel to provide an efficient and high-quality service to internal and external stakeholders; implementing commercial law best practices in a rapidly growing and fast paced company.

Every member of CAA’s legal team is expected to be a values-driven, results-oriented leader who provides legal services with the highest level of professionalism, competence and efficacy. 

THE ROLE

This new role will provide day-to-day advice and counsel to CAA’s International offices to assist in managing and mitigating risk, ensuring compliance with local law and company policies and handling a broad range of general legal matters.

The primary responsibilities will focus on advising on legal matters pertinent to CAA’s business, including commercial contracts, data protection and privacy, regulatory and compliance workstreams and assistance with corporate-level commercial transactions. They will work across all departments, subsidiaries and affiliates in CAA’s International offices including Music Touring, TV, Sports, Talent & Property Sales, Brand Consulting, CAA Base, CAA Stellar, CAA Portas and Operations (e.g. OCLO, Tech, HR & Finance).

RESPONSIBILITIES TO INCLUDE, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, THE FOLLOWING:

• Draft, negotiate and collaborate with other colleagues on commercial and legal matters, including without limitation, vendor contracts, licence agreements and representation agreements.
• Review, draft and advise on data privacy matters and contractual language, particularly as this presents in the context of commercial agreements.
• Assist the risk and compliance function on compliance related workstreams including AML and related issues, anti-bribery and corruption issues and local regulatory issues.
• Assist with project management of corporate transactions including the incorporation of new entities and associated matters.
• Assist with the implementation of global policies, including implementation and management of employee facing policies and data protection policies for each market where CAA does business.
• Ensure compliance with applicable laws, regulations and policies, and educate and provide training to business partners and stakeholders on legal matters, policies and procedures.
• Perform job duties consistent with legal and regulatory requirements, as well as CAA’s culture and business objectives.
• Identify and assess legal risks and opportunities and advise accordingly.
• Recognise when to elevate matters to the Lead Counsel.
• Work closely with those across the various CAA business lines including other members of the Legal and Business Affairs teams and the internal corporate functions.
• Work with outside counsel as required.
• Travel and other duties, as required or assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS/REQUIREMENTS

• Strong academic background: LLB (Hons), BA (Hons) or BSc (Hons) 2:1 or above and (if relevant) Graduate Diploma in Law Merit and above; LPC Merit and above.
• Qualified Solicitor (England and Wales) with 7+ years of substantive PQE experience.
• Experience at a top law firm and/or in-house corporate level legal department in commercial law and related transactions, notably data protection. In-house experience (including client secondments) is essential.
• Knowledge of and experience with wider European or Asian commercial law and related transactions would be beneficial. A willingness to learn such laws in new jurisdictions is a must.
• Knowledge of and experience with commercial-adjacent matters (such as tax, HR and finance) is beneficial. A willingness to learn new skills in these areas (with support and guidance) is a must.
• High ethical standards and excellent professional judgement.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, interpersonal skills and emotional intelligence.
• Excellent legal drafting skills.
• Strong command of the Microsoft Office suite; in particular, Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Teams.
• Ability to provide high-quality work product in a timely manner to meet demands of the organisation and to effectively and efficiently multi-task in a fast-paced environment.
• Exceptionally detail oriented and organised but also able to see the “big picture”.
• Have a creative and proactive approach to solving problems. Solutions focused.
• Collaborative and works in tandem with colleagues.
• Willing to work extended hours when necessary, including to connect with colleagues or external advisors from other regions.
• Able to take direction and manage and “own” projects from beginning to end with a sense of follow through.
• Self-confident and inspires confidence from business leaders.
• Entertainment and/or sports industry experience preferred.

Please ensure you provide complete and legible information in your application. An incomplete application may affect your consideration for employment.

Creative Artists Agency (“CAA”) is committed to promoting equal opportunities in employment and creating a workplace culture in which diversity and inclusion is valued and everyone is treated with dignity and respect. As part of our zero-tolerance approach to discrimination in any form, you and any job applicants will receive equal treatment regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, marital or civil partner status, pregnancy or maternity, race, colour, nationality, ethnic or national origin, religion or belief, sex or sexual orientation, or any other legally recognised protected basis under UK law.

Please inform CAA’s Recruitment Department if you need any assistance completing any forms or to otherwise participate in the application process.

CAA does not accept unsolicited resumes from third-party recruiters unless they were contractually engaged by CAA to provide candidates for a specified opening. Any such employment agency, person or entity that submits an unsolicited resume does so with the acknowledgement and agreement that CAA will have the right to hire that applicant at its discretion without any fee owed to the submitting employment agency, person or entity.