SENIOR COUNSEL, TV /FILM
TV & FILM PRODUCTION & BUSINESS AFFAIRS
LONDON
An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Senior Counsel to join the Business & Legal Affairs team of a globally recognised entertainment business, advising on the development, commissioning, production and exploitation of premium original content from the UK for global distribution.
This is a high-profile role combining legal expertise, commercial judgement and deal-making, working closely with creative executives, production teams, finance and senior business stakeholders across the UK and EMEA.
The Role
You will be a key legal and commercial adviser across a broad production slate, spanning scripted and non-scripted television, from development and greenlight through production, post-production and exploitation.
Key responsibilities will include:
- Advising on the development, commissioning, production and co-production of original content.
- Leading and supporting complex negotiations with production companies, writers, directors, talent, licensors and other rights holders.
- Structuring and negotiating production, co-production, pre-buy, licensing and commissioning arrangements.
- Advising on underlying rights, options, copyright, chain of title, IP and contractual matters.
- Providing advice on production finance structures, tax credits, third-party financing, completion guarantees and banking arrangements.
- Advising on production welfare, Duty of Care, clearances, script reviews and other production-related legal risks.
- Advising on the evolving use of AI in production, including talent considerations and associated legal and business risks.
- Working closely with colleagues across Production, Development, Finance, Marketing, Publicity, Advertising and Content Operations.
- Supporting best-practice initiatives and the continued development of legal and business processes across the UK and EMEA.
About You
We are looking for a UK-qualified solicitor or barrister with substantial experience in media, entertainment and production law.
You will ideally bring:
- 7+ years' relevant experience in-house and/or private practice.
- Senior-level experience in television and/or film development, commissioning and production, ideally including SVOD.
- Strong knowledge of UK/European production practices, market terms and relevant Guild/Union agreements.
- Proven experience handling complex production and business affairs negotiations.
- Strong understanding of copyright, IP, contracts and relevant regulatory issues, including tax incentives.
- Excellent commercial judgement and the ability to translate legal issues into clear, practical advice.
- The ability to manage multiple projects, stakeholders and competing deadlines in a fast-paced production environment.
- A collaborative, solutions-focused approach with the confidence to operate autonomously.
Most importantly, you will have a genuine passion for film and television, excellent relationship-building skills and the ability to operate effectively at the intersection of creative, commercial and legal decision-making.
Why This Role?
This is an opportunity to join a highly collaborative, internationally focused legal team and play a significant role in shaping the legal and commercial framework behind a high-profile slate of original content with global reach.
If you are an experienced media lawyer looking for a role combining premium content, complex deal-making, production law and international exposure, this could be an excellent next step.