Legal Counsel/Director

Assist The Walt Disney Company businesses across Central Eastern Europe & CIS (“Territory”) in its day-to-day legal with a media law focus.  The position covers the legal assistance to Disney + and linear channels as well as assisting our central EMEA expert lawyers in particular in charge of theatrical distribution, Media Distribution or Consumer Products activities.  With such view, works closely with the other legal and business teams in the Territory and assist the various aspects of the business, as better detailed below. Contributes and applies legal expertise, commercial, market and technological awareness and forward-looking perspective to the daily operations. Follow processes and procedures to protect the business at all times. Fosters a relationship building culture within the team.

On top of the day-to-day legal support, the employee will monitor the implementation of the Copyright/AVMSD/SatCab/omnibus/DSA regulations and impacts on the business.  Assist actively during the interactions and negotiations with local Collective Bargaining Organisations for our media services,  Train our business colleagues on different set of rules and their reciprocal interaction (i.e.; Spanish/Dutch + local rules). Media, Production of local contents, Corporate, consumer, competition, contract, compliance and privacy laws are part of the daily questions handled by the Counsel.

This role will require you to be onsite 4 days a week.

Areas of Responsibility

In coordination with the candidate’s direct reports and the Disney Regional EMEA experts/colleagues:

• Advice the business on its needs including on affiliate sales, advertising, marketing, productions, IP license and protection, theatrical distribution and consumer product activities;

• Review, draft and negotiate agreements for various businesses;

• Monitor the laws/regulations and the new draft laws/regulations applicable to the business in the Territory and in EU and train the business accordingly;  

• Support in liaising with local media authorities on the application and compliance of local laws and regulations;

• Monitor and support the business compliance with company laws, consumer laws, GDPR, internal Ethics & Compliance and HR related matters;

• Fosters a ‘continuous improvement’ culture with the business, ensuring processes, policies and procedures sufficiently protect the business from current and future risk;

• Interact with the CEE-CIS senior executives heads of businesses.

Experience and Professional Qualifications Required

• 10+ years of increasingly responsible experience in Law Firms or legal Departments with significant hands-on experience in media, preferably advising a major studio or equivalent

• Qualified attorney with the Warsaw Bar, earning and LL.M. and a business school degree would be a great plus.

• Ability to operate independently while developing and maintaining strong and trusted relationships with leaders of other departments

• Demonstrated ability to communicate at all levels

• Demonstrated ability to concisely convey complex issues and offer recommendations

• A proven leader and manager in setting direction and achieving objectives

• Proven good judgement, effective deal-making, and contract drafting

• Master’s degree or equivalent in Media, Contract law, Commercial law, Intellectual Property law or New Technologies.

• Polish-English bilingual (written and oral). Another Central European language would be a plus.

• Experience abroad would be appreciated, so would an membership with a Bar / an association governed by the Code of Ethics for Company lawyers and an experience with conflict resolution

• Being a strong team player and able to interact well in a matrix structure, with colleagues of a diverse cultural backgrounds and work styles, analyzes problems effectively and takes action to resolve, demonstrates flexibility in response to changes, remains productive despite uncertainty, earns the trust and respect of colleagues, partners and customers.

The Walt Disney Company is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We strive to be a diverse 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.