Twin Cities PBS seeks a Production & Business Affairs Attorney with entertainment/media law experience to support TPT’s program development, production and distribution activities. Experience with public media, non-profits and/or government-funded entities a plus. The position reports to the General Counsel and will also assist with non-entertainment matters, such as commercial contracts, risk mitigation, litigation management and corporate formation, governance and record-keeping.
**Salary Range: $110K - $125K Annually (Depending on Qualifications)
**Hybrid Workplace
Major Areas of Responsibility:
- Provide legal support to content development and production management teams in program production and distribution, copyright and trademark licensing and clearance, publicity and privacy rights, talent and contributor contracts, rights and permissions tracking, content acquisition and clearance, and production staffing/union and guild issues.
- Draft and negotiate production service and distribution agreements; independent contractor agreements for producers, writers, contributors, talent, educational advisors and outreach partners; consulting and general services agreements; rights acquisition agreements, inbound and outbound clip license agreements, and other production-related agreements.
- Provide advice and counsel on day-to-day legal matters, including advising on contract issues, intellectual property matters (chain of title, fair use, copyright and trademark clearance, usage and registration), music licensing and usage issues, production releases and location agreements, editorial standards and practices; and advise on production staffing, worker classification, union and guild matters (SAG-AFTRA, NABET, IBEW).
- Advise on music rights and usage; manage TPT’s music performance licenses, reporting, payments and accounts for BMI, SESAC, ASCAP, and Harry Fox; provide legal counsel, managing where appropriate, third-party production music usage agreements.
- In consultation with content, revenue and finance department staff, review, analyze and advise on funding proposals; negotiate, draft, and administer production grants, gifts and funding arrangements.
- Ensure TPT’s activities and operations comply with applicable laws, rules and regulations, with applicable CPB and PBS requirements, company production and development standards, editorial standards and practices, and applicable funding standards, requirements and policies.
- Provide legal support for TPT’s revenue, membership and marketing divisions, including advising on sweepstakes, contests, promotions, community engagement events and activities; supporting and advising TPT’s fundraising and sponsorship/underwriting sales activities, handling legal clearance for underwriting announcements and sponsor messages.
- With the General Counsel, assist in improving TPT’s legal function, regulatory and contractual compliance operations and activities generally, including by updating standard legal forms, streamlining work-flows, developing and leading client legal training, and reviewing and implementing policies to comply with FCC, CPB and other regulatory requirements.
- With administrative assistance, responsible for maintenance and oversight of law department filing system and for assisting the General Counsel, executive team and Board of Trustees with record-keeping, board resolutions and minutes as needed.
Required Qualifications:
- JD from an ABA-accredited law school, admitted to at least one state bar (Minnesota a plus).
- Minimum 5-7 years law firm and/or in house experience working on entertainment/media matters.
- Understanding of entertainment industry and content distribution trends.
- Ability to independently negotiate, analyze and draft a wide-variety of media- and production-related agreements.
- Knowledge and experience in copyright law, defamation, rights of privacy and publicity required.
- Excellent organization, time management and communication skills; sound judgment and strategic deal-making experience and ability.
- Creative problem-solver with the ability to work collaboratively on cross-functional teams, with a genuine enthusiasm for public media.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite.
Preferred Skills:
- Experience with FCC law, not-for-profits, government-funded entities, CPB requirements and/or PBS funding and editorial practices.
- Familiarity and/or experience with government contracts and/or grant-funded production work.
We know that engaging, building trust, and making a difference relies on the collective wisdom and strength of a truly diverse organization. With this in mind, and as an equal opportunity employer, we encourage and strongly welcome candidates of all identities, lived experiences, orientations, and communities to apply.
Twin Cities PBS is proud to be an Affirmative Action / Equal Employment Opportunity / Veteran / Disability employer.
For more details and to apply, click here.
