Senior Counsel

Job ID 10136628 Location Bristol, Connecticut, United States / Los Angeles, California, United States / New York, New York, United States Business ESPN Date posted Nov. 19, 2025

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Job Summary:

ESPN is seeking a seasoned attorney for the role of Senior Counsel. This position will report to the Lead Counsel and will assist and support the Lead Counsel, Chief Counsel, General Counsel and other attorneys in fulfilling the legal affairs and requirements of the corporation. Areas of focus will include, but are not limited to, unscripted/scripted original content acquisitions and production. ESPN will consider placement of this position in Los Angeles, CA, New York, NY, or Bristol, CT.

What You Will Do:

Maintains current knowledge of substantial range of federal, state, and local laws and of legislative and regulatory developments, analyzes how these might impact ESPN, and conceives and recommends compliance actions

Serves as primary Legal Department representative for assigned ESPN departments or categories

Drafts contracts and other legal documents, recommends approval/modification of contracts proposed by outside parties, and negotiates with outside parties

Possesses and maintains (including through continuing legal education) knowledge in specialized legal areas, including emerging trends, specifically in connection with (1) content (including scripted/unscripted audiovisual programming, licensing and production); (2) intellectual property (copyright, trademark, rights of publicity); (3) marketing and promotion; and/or (4) digital (including social) media and platforms

Conceives and recommends strategies and tactics in response to legislative and regulatory developments and other events or anticipated actions

Keeps internal clients (and Legal leadership team) fully informed of relevant legal issues and implications of their current operations and proposed actions and, advises them accordingly of risks and legal consequences of alternative actions

Reviews and edits significant guidelines, policies, letters, work orders, and other documents from applicable client departments to ensure that legal implications are appropriately handled

Manages outside counsel in their representation of ESPN on litigation and other legal service matters and analyzes the approach and effectiveness of such outside counsel

May directly supervise, on a non-exclusive basis, one or more Paralegal and Legal Assistant colleagues, and may supervise individual projects of Counsel(s)

Recommends and may implement Legal Department policy at the direction of General Counsel, Chief Counsel and Lead Counsel

Operates within the context of defined corporate strategies

Recommends and implements enhancements and improvements to established processes and workflows

Translates corporate strategy into mid- and long-term goals

Translates the analysis and evaluation of trends in ESPN’s legal positioning and compliance into recommended corporate actions

Conceives and recommends strategies and initiatives to minimize the legal risks of current operations and proposed actions

Determines / recommends the language of template legal documents

Analyzes the legal implications of proposed ventures and current operations and proposed actions of internal clients

Analyzes new laws and legislative and regulatory developments for their potential impact on ESPN

Guides or participates in the management of client organizations in the interpretation of complex information

Contributes to ensuring the processing efficiencies at all levels of the organizations

Ensures that internal clients have an adequate understanding of the law as it applies to their operations

Interacts with internal client management

Required Qualifications & Skills:

A minimum of 5 years relevant experience, including extensive drafting, in a transactional IP practice at a law firm, network/studio, sports league, agency, and/or other in-house legal department

A strong understanding of content agreement negotiating (including, by way of example only, audiovisual programming, licensing, and production agreements), intellectual property law (copyright, trademark, rights of publicity), and scripted or unscripted original content acquisitions and production, including audio/visual and music clearances, guild related matters, and/or talent negotiations

Familiarity with entertainment, broadcast/cable, internet, mobile, direct-to-consumer, social and other digital media and/or sports businesses

Excellent interpersonal, written/verbal communication, and analytical skills

Excellent organizational, prioritization, and time management skills with the ability to work under tight deadlines and execute efficiently against multiple, high-priority and high-volume projects in a fast-paced environment

Exceptional ability to respond to and interact with creative and business executives at all levels of seniority in a manner that is personable and professional

Exceptional facility with spotting issues, assessing and communicating risks, making common-sense decisions, and finding flexible/creative solutions to achieve business goals

Preferred Qualifications:

Experience supervising paralegal/legal support staff

Education:

JD degree or equivalent from an accredited law school

Admission to California State Bar, New York State Bar or Connecticut State Bar in good standing or willingness and qualification to be Registered In-House Counsel in the applicable state of employment

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The hiring range for this position in Los Angeles, CA is $174,600 to $225,800 per year and in New York, NY is $182,900 to $236,600 per year. The base pay actually offered will take into account internal equity and also may vary depending on the candidate’s geographic region, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience among other factors. A bonus and/or long-term incentive units may be provided as part of the compensation package, in addition to the full range of medical, financial, and/or other benefits, dependent on the level and position offered.

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About ESPN:

Working at ESPN is unlike anything else. That’s because we’re always finding new ways to interact with fans – however and wherever they connect with sports. Every day we’re doing things that no one has done, all in a dynamic culture where we defy odds and continuously outdo ourselves. When you have the latest technology, game-changing ideas and world-class talent on your team, every day is extraordinary.

About The Walt Disney Company:

The Walt Disney Company, together with its subsidiaries and affiliates, is a leading diversified international family entertainment and media enterprise that includes three core business segments: Disney Entertainment, ESPN, and Disney Experiences. From humble beginnings as a cartoon studio in the 1920s to its preeminent name in the entertainment industry today, Disney proudly continues its legacy of creating world-class stories and experiences for every member of the family. Disney’s stories, characters and experiences reach consumers and guests from every corner of the globe. With operations in more than 40 countries, our employees and cast members work together to create entertainment experiences that are both universally and locally cherished.

This position is with ESPN, Inc, which is part of a business we call ESPN.

ESPN, Inc is an equal opportunity employer. Applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, ancestry, age, marital status, military or veteran status, medical condition, genetic information or disability, or any other basis prohibited by federal, state or local law. Disney champions a business environment where ideas and decisions from all people help us grow, innovate, create the best stories and be relevant in a constantly evolving world.

We will consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal histories consistent with applicable law.

DISABILITY ACCOMMODATION FOR EMPLOYMENT APPLICATIONS

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Explore this Location Bristol, CT

The Heart of Connecticut Bristol, Connecticut is just two hours from Boston and New York and just an hour from the shoreline. From the natural beauty of picturesque hills and fall foliage, to the high tech satellite dishes of ESPN, Bristol’s “City sized” with a small town vibe, offering wonderful memories no matter your pace.