Sr. Counsel, Business & Legal Affairs
5 days ago
Stamford
Who We Are: WWE® is the global leader in sports entertainment. The company creates and delivers original content 52 weeks a year to a global audience. WWE is committed to family-friendly entertainment on its television programming, Premium Live Events, digital media, and publishing platforms. WWE's TV-PG programming can be seen in more than 1 billion households worldwide in more than 20 languages through world-class distribution partners including Netflix, ESPN, NBCUniversal, USA Network and The CW. WWE is part of TKO Group Holdings (NYSE: TKO). Additional information on WWE can be found at wwe.com and corporate.wwe.com. TKO Group Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: TKO) is a premium sports and entertainment company. TKO owns iconic properties including UFC, the world’s premier mixed martial arts organization; WWE, the global leader in sports entertainment; and PBR, the world’s premier bull riding organization. Together, these properties reach 1 billion households across 210 countries and territories and organize more than 500 live events year-round, attracting more than three million fans. TKO also services and partners with major sports rights holders through IMG, an industry-leading global sports marketing agency; and On Location, a global leader in premium experiential hospitality. About the Role WWE is seeking a skilled and proactive Corporate Counsel to join our Business & Legal Affairs team and report into the WWE - Senior Vice President, Deputy General Counsel and TKO - Head of Intellectual Property and Licensing. The ideal candidate will have approximately 6-8 years of legal experience, focused on intellectual property clearance, prosecution, enforcement and protection as well as drafting and negotiating corporate agreements. This position offers a unique opportunity to work at the intersection of law, business strategy, and entertainment. Key Responsibilities • Conduct comprehensive clearance searches and provide risk assessments for new brands, products, character names, corporate logos, and apparel slogans., • Monitor and enforce the company’s intellectual property portfolio (trademarks, copyrights, trade secrets), including drafting and sending cease-and-desist letters, managing takedowns, filing UDRP actions, managing third party enforcement vendors and supporting litigation if necessary., • Develop and institute best practices for IP enforcement and protection for infringements, counterfeit and video piracy strategies., • Advise on copyright, domain name and related brand protection issues., • Support IP enforcement, including monitoring, cease and desist letters, opposition and related disputes., • Collaborate with external counsel and IP offices globally on enforcement. Work closely with internal business units on a wide variety of intellectual property related matters., • Stay current on relevant legal developments, including changes in IP law and technology affecting brand owners’ ability to monitor and enforce proactively., • Draft, review, and negotiate a broad range of contracts for all business needs relating to sports and entertainment, including agreements relating to independent contractors, talent, marketing, media, multimedia, content, licenses, performance, services, non-disclosure agreements, and other complex commercial agreements generally utilized in the sports and entertainment industry, including consumer products license agreements, vendor agreements, service-level agreements, font license agreements, partnership contracts, releases and waivers, appearance agreements, independent contractor agreements, and NDAs., • Draft, advise, and review a broad range of contracts for all business needs relating to sports and entertainment, including agreements relating to independent contractors, talent, marketing, media, multimedia, content, licenses, performance, services, non-disclosure agreements, and other complex commercial agreements generally utilized in the sports and entertainment industry, • Work closely, collaboratively and enthusiastically with other members of the Business & Legal Affairs team of WWE, WWE affiliates, as well as corresponding business clients., • Provide comprehensive legal advice and counsel to internal business units., • Provide real-time analysis and advice on business and legal issues, including questions of contract interpretation and enforcement., • Participate in special projects and other duties as assigned. Qualifications • J.D. from an accredited law school and admission to at least one U.S. state bar, and the ability to register as Connecticut authorized in-house counsel., • Strong background in trademark clearance, prosecution and enforcement., • Experience drafting and negotiating corporate contracts., • Excellent written and verbal communication skills with strong attention to detail., • Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced, collaborative environment., • Knowledge or willingness to watch current and historical WWE programming. Required Skills • Working and recent knowledge and experience with clearance search work as well as U.S. trademark prosecution (including all filings with the U.S. Trademark Office)., • Familiarity with domestic and international IP enforcement strategies.