Music Legal Affairs Counsel

Job Description

Job Description

JOB DETAILS

Title

Music Legal Affairs Counsel

Classification

Exempt

Department

Legal

Reports to

Director of Legal Affairs

YOU ARE ACCOUNTABLE

The Legal Affairs Counsel is responsible for drafting, negotiating, and finalizing label deals for clients. Under the supervision of the Director of Legal Affairs has a set of responsibilities tailored to the music industry and the specific needs of the Rimas-affiliated record labels.

IMPACT OUR BUSINESS BY

• Draft and review all talent-related contracts, including without limitation, multiple contracts, exclusive artist recording contracts, exclusive distribution agreements, exclusive producer contracts, distribution contracts, songwriter contracts, master and composition purchase contracts, including amendments to the same, under the supervision of the Director of Legal Affairs.

• Assist the Director of Legal Affairs in handling disputes that may arise in relation to major talent-related contracts and purchased catalogs, including addressing breach of contract claims and copyright disputes. Provide insights into the strategies and approaches employed by the legal team to effectively resolve disputes and ensure compliance with major talent-related contracts and catalog purchase agreements. In the event of legal disputes or litigation, assist with gathering evidence and liaising with external counsel.

• Assist with due diligence efforts by reviewing existing prior contracts, identifying legal risks, consulting with the finance department, investigating and ascertaining compliance with prior contractual obligations, and preparing summaries or reports for senior management to facilitate deal negotiations.

• Handle and assist in Sample clearance and interpolations

• Draft, negotiate, and/or review Artist Tour or live performance agreements; and draft agreements for vendors working on the tour

• Register and monitor US Copyright sound recording applications

• Provide advice on and/or draft contracts between Rimas, Rimas’ affiliates, and outside vendors.

• May provide advice and counsel on copyright, trademark, contract, data privacy, and other legal issues.

• Draft abstract contract summaries in the Legal Department Contract Inventory for all talent-related contracts.

• Manage and maintain ongoing upkeep of the Legal Department Contract Inventory.

• Draft short-form agreements on a quick turnaround basis upon request from the President and the Chief Operational Officer.

• Draft abstract contract summaries for all third-party vendor-related contracts, including administration contracts, distribution contracts, side artist contracts that involve royalties being paid to or by Rimas, and any other third-party contracts that involve delivery obligations and royalty accounting.

• Respond to and manage day-to-day inquiries relating to the terms of the above-referenced types of contracts.

• Identify and draft various types of Letters of Direction as deemed necessary when issues arise

• With regular input from the Artist Relations department monitors the due dates for delivery obligations, expiration and renewal of Contract Periods, Advances owed to Talent, consents required to obtain from Talent regarding master or sync usages of content, other notices requirements, and any other special provision that requires certain attention.

• Collaborate with the Label Artist Relations and Accounting Departments in overseeing talent advances, consent requirements for master or sync content usage from talent, as well as other notice requirements and special provisions that require attention.

• Follow-up as necessary to obtain signatures on completed contracts with the appropriate third parties and the authorized officers of Rimas and Rimas' various affiliated companies.

• Handle certain non-complex legal or business matters relating to talent matters under the direct supervision of the Director of Legal Affairs.

• Identify pressing legal matters and business issues affecting the company and communicate them to the Director of Legal Affairs for further actions if necessary.

• Manage and maintain control of all new account contracts to ensure proper execution and recordkeeping.

• Identify and resolve any past, present, and/or ongoing issues relating to contractual obligations and agreements, as they arise.

• Manage all sample and interpolation license clearances necessary with new impending releases, serving as the main point of contact with contracted third-party clearing houses and artists/producers, as deemed necessary.

• Other tasks and responsibilities are assigned due to business and operational needs.

• General responsibilities:

  • Fulfill the job's responsibilities and obligations, by the company's rules.

  • Comply with the safety and health measures established by the company.

  • Refrain from engaging in improper, disorderly, criminal, or immoral conduct that reasonably may affect the company's best interests.

  • Comply with the orders and instructions of the company in the regular exercise of its executive powers and managerial discretion.

  • Abstain from competing in the company's business activities.

  • Contribute to increase the productivity and competitiveness of the company.

  • Satisfactorily fulfill all duties.

MUSIC TO RIMAS – YOUR SKILLS

Your Passion

• Passionate about music and entertainment

• Experience understanding client needs and providing an innovative solution approach.

• A high degree of self-motivation

Your Creativity

• Ability to create new standards and ways of doing things with an innovative and hacker attitude.

• Proven ability to process high volumes of data with speed and accuracy

Your Knowledge

• Juris Doctor degree with a license to practice law in the State Bar.

• LLM or other advanced degree in music law, entertainment law, or intellectual property is preferred.

• Knowledge of intellectual property laws becomes a necessity to succeed.

• Must have an ABA-approved law school and be an active member in good standing of the Bar.

• Minimum three (3) years of experience in entertainment law to help draft content

• Excellent drafting skills, as well as analytical and communication skills

• Excellent communication skills including writing both in English and Spanish.

• Excellent interpersonal relations skills

• Proficient in computer software such as Microsoft Office, Google Sheets, Google conference or Zoom, task management platforms like Monday and Asana, and contract lifecycle management software

Your Attitude

• An organized self-starter with the capacity to manage a varied and often intense workload, as every project is supported in the role, is important

• Ability to work independently, multi-task, adapt to changing priorities, and manage complex situations and problem-solving while maintaining professionalism and poise

• Whatever it takes, we make it happen approach

WAY OF BUSINESS

• You are part of a one-stop 360 organization focusing on the new generation of Latinx artists with a multi-platform entertainment format.

• You are part of an expert creative music label to create opportunities that are relevant to our artists.

• You are part of the underdogs who are unafraid of their creative vision, differentiation, and own voice.

• You shape, connect, and move Nuestra Cultura with our artist music and entertainment approach.

YOUR ENVIRONMENT AND PHYSICAL EFFORTS

Your Environment

• Work office environment with a fast pace and constant creative changing approach.

Your Physical Efforts

• Prolonged periods sitting at a desk and working on a computer

GENERAL NOTES

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by employees assigned to this classification. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel so classified. The employer reserves the right to modify, change, add, or eliminate responsibilities according to business and operational needs.