Description:
Job Overview: The Counsel will support the Business & Legal Affairs (“BALA”) and Membership Departments with a variety of business affairs and legal responsibilities related to member affiliations and distributions, including drafting, and negotiating high-profile songwriter agreements with music lawyers and business managers.Areas of Responsibility and Accountability:
- Day-to-day management of (including drafting, negotiation, and closing) all long-form member financial incentive agreements, NDAs, letters of direction, letter agreements and amendments.
- Leading a team responsible for managing ASCAP's contractual obligations (with support from the SVP, Membership and BALA).
- Providing legal support for ASCAP's Repertory and Distribution Departments regarding ASCAP rules, policy, and procedure.
- Assisting the Global Member Services (“GMS”) and Member Inquiry & Resolution Services (“MIRS”) teams with escalated complex member transactions, including royalty assignments, works licensing questions, and distribution/royalty issues.
- Supporting MIRS team with guidance on member estate matters, including reviewing and summarizing estate documents, and recommending designation of a successor(s).
- Supporting SVP, Membership and BALA, in executing strategy to achieve departmental and organizational goals, including long-term growth in market share and revenue.
- Special legal projects as assigned by Senior Executive staff.
- At least two (2) years of legal experience working for a law firm or related in-house position.
- Prior experience working in the music business or other creative field a plus.
- Excellent drafting, negotiation, and organizational skills, as well as excellent oral and written communication skills
- Ability to develop highly effective and productive working relationships externally and internally throughout ASCAP.
- Ability to learn fast and have a commonsense approach to decision-making.
- A strong work ethic and a bias towards action, change and speed.
- Impeccable ethics and adherence to confidentiality obligations
- A J.D. with strong academic credentials
- A license to practice law in New York State and be in good standing.
