Job Summary
The Legal Affairs Counsel is responsible for drafting, negotiating, and finalizing a wide range of client–label agreements that support the business and creative operations of Rimas‑affiliated record labels. This role provides specialized legal support tailored to the music industry, ensuring that all contracts, rights clearances, and business transactions align with company objectives and industry standards. Plays a key role in safeguarding the company’s intellectual property, managing legal risk, and enabling smooth collaboration across departments involved in artist relations, marketing, distribution, touring, and catalogue management.
Duties
Contract Drafting, Negotiation & Lifecycle Management
- Draft, review, negotiate, and manage a wide range of talent‑related agreements, including exclusive artist recording contracts, distribution agreements, producer agreements, songwriter agreements, master and composition purchase agreements, and related amendments, under the supervision of the General Manager.
- Oversee the full contract lifecycle: drafting, negotiation, execution, enforcement, renewals, and obligation tracking.
- Maintain and update the Legal Department Contract Inventory, including drafting abstract summaries for all talent‑related agreements.
- Follow up with internal and external parties to secure signatures from authorized officers of Rimas and its affiliated companies.
- Respond to day‑to‑day inquiries regarding contract terms, obligations, and interpretation.
- Draft short‑form agreements on a rapid‑turnaround basis.
Copyright, Licensing & Rights Management
- Handle sample clearance and interpolation processes, including outreach to clearinghouses, rights holders, artists, and producers.
- Clear music rights for Rimas and affiliate video content, including identifying rights owners, negotiating synchronization and master licenses, and ensuring compliance with copyright law and fair use principles.
- Register and monitor U.S. Copyright Office sound recording applications.
- Provide guidance on copyright, trademark, contract, and data privacy matters as needed.
Marketing, Advertising & Regulatory Compliance
- Ensure marketing campaigns comply with consumer protection laws, advertising standards, privacy regulations (GDPR, CCPA), and industry‑specific requirements.
- Oversee catalogue compliance for Rimas Classics, addressing breach‑of‑contract claims, copyright disputes, and regulatory inquiries, and advising on strategies for conflict resolution.
Due Diligence & Transactional Support
- Assist with due diligence for acquisitions, licensing deals, and other business transactions by reviewing prior agreements, identifying legal risks, and preparing summaries or reports for senior management.
- Collaborate with the Finance Department to verify compliance with historical contractual obligations and financial terms.
Talent Relations, Obligations Tracking & Cross‑Department Collaboration
- Work closely with Artist Relations and Accounting to monitor delivery obligations, contract period expirations, renewal windows, advances owed, consent requirements for master or sync usage, and other notice‑driven provisions.
- Identify and resolve past, present, or ongoing issues related to contractual obligations as they arise.
General Legal Support
- Provide counsel on a variety of legal issues, including copyright, trademark, contract, and data privacy matters, and draft agreements between Rimas, its affiliates, and external vendors.
- Other tasks and responsibilities are assigned due to business and operational needs.
Skills
Bachelor’s degree in Law, Music Business, Business Administration, or a related field; a Juris Doctor (J.D.) or LLM is strongly preferred.
Prior experience in the music, entertainment, or media industry, particularly within Legal Affairs, Business Affairs, or Rights Management is a must.
Demonstrated experience drafting, reviewing, and negotiating contracts in a fast‑paced, high‑volume environment.
Strong understanding of copyright, trademark, contract law, and data privacy regulations (e.g., GDPR, CCPA).
Familiarity with music industry agreements, including recording, distribution, publishing, producer, and licensing contracts.
Knowledge of sample clearance, interpolation processes, synchronization licensing, and rights management for audiovisual content.
Experience with U.S. Copyright Office filings, including sound recording registrations.
Excellent drafting skills, as well as analytical and communication skills
Excellent communication skills, including writing in both 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
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: From $55,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- 401(k) matching
- Dental insurance
- Health insurance
- Life insurance
- Paid time off
Work Location: In person
