Contract Attorney

• Work collaboratively with the Vice President, Associate General Counsel as well as department heads, executives, and staff.
• Structure, negotiate and document complex deals relating to content, licensing, advertising, acquisitions, etc.
• Draft and negotiate amendments for existing agreements, as well as new and ongoing projects.
• Manage key vendor relationships and evaluate and respond to proposals from independent producers, production companies, writers etc.
• Protect BET’s assets and intellectual property and enforce copyrights.
• Ensure compliance, guidelines, performance standards and procedures are being adhered to.
• Coordinate rights clearances and other legal/business affairs issues. 
   

Job Requirements/Qualifications:
 

We seek a highly motivated and accomplished junior/mid level entertainment attorney who demonstrates knowledge in legal matters for this dynamic media company.  The ideal candidate will have a solid understanding of the business of Television production, and the legal issues specific to that business. S/he must be flexible, team-oriented and able to produce a high volume of quality work in a fast-paced environment. 
 
A solid work ethic and unquestioned integrity are of paramount importance and are essential qualifications this candidate must demonstrate.  Additionally, we seek:
 

• 2-3 years experience negotiating deals in a transactional environment, preferably in a business affairs function in the entertainment sector.
• Ability to analyze complex situations and make sound business decisions required.
• Familiarity with negotiating deals involving members of the various entertainment industry guilds including without limitation AFTRA, DGA, SAG and WGA.
• A highly organized and self-motivated professional with the ability to move multiple projects forward simultaneously, and have the flexibility to adapt to changing priorities and timeliness related to such projects.
• Excellent verbal and written communications skills and interpersonal skills required, as this position interacts with senior executives.
• Demonstrated success in building strong and effective relationships.
• A proven track record in win-win negotiation skills and a solid dealmaker.
• A desire to work collaboratively, in a team-oriented environment, and the ability to submerge his/her ego for the good of the organization.
• A strong understanding of the television production process and working familiarity with the various entertainment guilds and collective bargaining agreements.

 
Education:

A law degree (JD) from an accredited law school with admission to the New York bar is required.
 
About BET Networks:

BET Networks, a subsidiary of Viacom Inc. (NYSE: VIA) (NYSE: VIA.B), is the nation's leading provider of quality entertainment, music, news and public affairs television programming for the African-American audience.  The primary BET channel reaches more than 90 million households and can be seen in the United States, Canada, the Caribbean, the United Kingdom and sub-Saharan Africa.  BET is the dominant African-American consumer brand with a diverse group of business extensions: BET.com, a leading Internet destination for Black entertainment, music, culture, and news; CENTRIC, a 24-hour entertainment network targeting the 25- to 54-year-old African-American audience; BET Digital Networks - BET Gospel and BET Hip Hop, attractive alternatives for cutting-edge entertainment tastes; BET Mobile, which provides ringtones, games and video content for wireless devices; and BET International, which operates BET in the United Kingdom and oversees the extension of BET network programming for global distribution.