Experienced Attorney

The Directors Guild of America (DGA) has an opening for an experienced attorney in its Legal Department. The DGA is a labor organization that represents more than 19,000 film and television Directors and members of the directorial team, including Unit Production Managers, Assistant Directors, Associate Directors, and Stage Managers, who work in film, television, commercials, news, sports, and new media.

The entertainment industry is in the midst of a period of incredible and rapid change. Our legal team is involved in many issues at the forefront of protecting our members’ interests in their creative and economic rights. In addition to meaningful and substantial work, the DGA provides a terrific benefits package and a true work/life balance.

This attorney will be responsible for: enforcing the DGA’s various collective bargaining agreements through arbitration; researching, analyzing, and preparing memoranda regarding various issues arising under those collective bargaining agreements; providing guidance to a number of departments within the DGA; providing support in drafting and reviewing agreements and transactional documents related to projects produced under DGA collective bargaining agreements, including security agreements, guaranties, and collection account management agreements;

and carrying out other tasks that will be assigned from time to time. This attorney will report to the General Counsel.

The ideal candidate will have a passion for working for labor unions and creative professionals, and the ability to work collaboratively within the Legal Department and with our executives. Candidates must be able to write and communicate clearly, prioritize competing tasks, and exercise good judgment. We would also appreciate it if you would bring a good sense of humor to work from time to time.

The DGA is a five-day-per-week, in-person workplace.

• Enforce the DGA’s various collective bargaining agreements through arbitration
• Research, analyze, and prepare memos regarding various issues arising under those collective bargaining agreements
• Provide guidance to various departments within the DGA
• Provide support in drafting and reviewing agreements and transactional documents related to projects produced under DGA collective bargaining agreements, including security agreements, guaranties, and collection account management agreements
• Work to establish an expertise in labor law issues
• Acquire up-to-date knowledge of the entertainment industry and issues that affect the DGA
• Other duties as assigned

• J.D. required and must be licensed to practice law in California
• Excellent communication skills – written and verbal
• Excellent judgment and common sense
• Comfortable exercising independent judgment and making decisions in new or unfamiliar scenarios
• Three to eight years of experience handling labor arbitration claims or litigation; negotiating artist or talent service agreements; negotiating production and distribution deals; or negotiating secured transaction, license, or acquisition agreements pertaining to intellectual property
• Ability to work collaboratively with others, both lawyers and non-lawyers alike
• Ability to prioritize multiple projects
• A willingness to carry out widely divergent tasks
• Highly collaborative style, positive attitude, and strong work ethic
• Basic familiarity with the arbitration process
• Ability to probe multiple sources of information via various research tools, including Westlaw
• An understanding and passion for organized labor
• Basic Microsoft Excel skills are helpful
• Ability to stay focused and work alone or in groups

• Three to eight years of experience practicing law, with a focus on labor law or litigation on behalf of talent in the entertainment industry
• Supportive of the labor movement

The DGA offers excellent benefits, including employer-provided health benefits (medical, dental and vision), defined benefit and defined contribution pension plans, and a 401(k) plan. The salary range for this position is an annual salary of $120,000 to $180,000, conditioned upon substantive experience and number of years of practice. Additional benefits include:

• flexible spending account
• life insurance
• short and long-term disability
• parental leave
• designated parking space

The DGA is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.