Counsel / Senior Counsel, Legal, Japan

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Overview

The Walt Disney Company (Japan) Ltd. is seeking an experienced attorney to join Disney’s Legal team. In collaboration with legal colleagues from other Asia-Pacific markets and with guidance from senior members of the group, the successful candidate will be primarily responsible for legal matters arising in connection with development, production and acquisition of Japanese content for Disney’s streaming services and television channels, including evaluating rights and chain of title issues, drafting and negotiating agreements, providing legal counsel to production executives and other key stakeholders, and providing thoughtful legal advice on potential risks and issues.

Responsibilities

• Provide legal support as necessary for the expansion and growth of Disney’s businesses in Japan, particularly in the areas of media Content Acquisition, Content Production, Channels and Direct-to-Consumer areas.
• Prepare, negotiate, review and interpret a wide variety of agreements and other documents related to development, production, acquisition, distribution, marketing and exploitation of television programs, films and other audiovisual content, as well as ad-sales and operations for Channels.
• Acquisition and licensing of rights, legal analysis related to chain of title, intellectual property rights and other rights management matters.
• Draft, negotiate and evaluate talent contracts related to development and production services and prepare memos summarizing unique rights/obligations applicable to certain engagements and content.
• Provide counsel on structuring development and production engagements and other matters related to production set-up and rights acquisition strategies.
• Review and draft documents related to government approvals and licenses for Channels.
• Advice and training to creative teams in relation to production clearance matters.
• Instruct, oversee and manage outside counsel.
• Negotiation with counterparties to agreements relating to Disney businesses in Japan.
• Advise and counsel Disney Japan business executives on legal and regulatory issues affecting the Japan market.
• Coordinate with other members of Disney’s Legal Department to provide legal support and advice to Disney businesses in Japan, and support for Asia-Pacific and other global projects.

Requisite Qualification and Experience

Education:

•   J.D., LL.B., LL.M., or equivalent

Professional Attributes:          

Required qualifications:

• Admitted to practice law preferably in Japan although US and other English-speaking jurisdictions considered.
• Solid experience and understanding in issues concerning Japanese corporate/commercial law and Japanese intellectual property law, particularly copyright, trademark and unfair competition.
• Keen analytical insight and strong legal capability.
• Understanding of the legal and business customs and practices of a US-based multinational enterprise.

Preferred qualifications:

• Familiarity and experience with business practices of the Japanese entertainment, publishing, television and digital media industries; capacity to stay current on emerging business and legal trends in the motion picture, television and new media industries.
• Ability to evaluate and reconcile issues from the business unit and enterprise level perspective and to work in an environment with a high degree of confidentiality.
• Exceptional organizational, prioritization and time management skills with the ability to work under deadlines and execute efficiently against multiple high priority projects in a fast-paced production environment.

Previous Work (or other requisite) Experience:

• A minimum of 5 years (for Counsel) or 10 years (for Sr. Counsel) of legal experience in law firm and/or multinational corporate legal department, focused on IP and licensing practice, ideally in an entertainment context.

Other requirements:

• Fluent Japanese and English language ability with dual language proficiency in negotiating, drafting and reading.
• Excellent writing and communication skills.

The Walt Disney Company is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We strive to be a diverse and inclusive workforce that is representative of our audiences, and where all can thrive and belong. We are committed to building a team that includes and respects a variety of voices, identities, backgrounds, experiences and perspectives.