Associate Director, Commercial Counsel

This is a fully remote position, open to applicants in California, +2 more states.

📋 Description

• Drafting, reviewing, and negotiating contracts.

• Oversee the drafting, review, and redlining of various commercial agreements, including MSAs, SOWs, NDAs, DPAs, vendor, consulting, production, and talent agreements.

• Negotiate agreements independently with counterparties, representing DEPT®’s interests effectively.

• Contract management and compliance.

• Assist in ensuring contract compliance with established company processes and policies.

• Promote and enhance DEPT®’s contract templates and playbooks to align with current business and legal considerations.

• Keep abreast of changes in relevant laws, regulations, and best practices that affect DEPT®’s operations.

• Risk management and dispute resolution.

• Lead commercial dispute resolution efforts in collaboration with the DEPT® Legal team, providing risk assessments and suggesting practical solutions.

• Act as a trusted legal advisor to company management at all levels, offering timely, actionable, and business-focused guidance.

• Process improvement and relationship building.

• Identify process gaps and collaborate with relevant stakeholders to develop innovative solutions.

• Establish and maintain strong working relationships with business teams to ensure contracts meet DEPT®’s needs.

• Coordinate with and manage external counsel and subject matter experts as necessary.

• AI tools and technology.

• Utilize AI-powered legal tools, including contract review and analysis platforms and AI-assisted drafting tools, to enhance efficiency throughout the contract lifecycle.

• Actively seek opportunities to integrate AI tools into legal workflows, applying sound professional judgment to review, validate, and take responsibility for all AI-generated outputs.

• Collaborate with the broader organization on AI-related commercial matters, including advising on AI procurement contracts, data processing terms, and IP and liability considerations arising from the use of AI services.

• Leadership and knowledge sharing.

• Stay updated on advancements in legal AI, emerging technologies, and industry standards, proactively evaluating their relevance to DEPT®’s legal function and sharing insights with the wider team.

• Mentor junior members of the Legal team and cultivate a culture of continuous learning and knowledge sharing.

⛳️ Requirements

• Juris Doctor and bar membership in good standing in at least one U.S. state.

• Over 5 years of experience in transactional contract work, including drafting, redlining, negotiation, and contract management.

• Significant in-house experience is strongly preferred; litigation experience is a plus.

• Proven ability to independently manage a high volume of contract work and provide counsel to senior business stakeholders.

• Strong organizational, traffic management, and operational capabilities.

• Ability to act swiftly yet efficiently to mitigate risk while optimizing turnaround time.

• Knowledge of applicable statutes, rules, and regulations relevant to DEPT®’s business and its operational locations.

• A high level of complex problem-solving, critical thinking, and information analysis skills are essential for this position.

• Experience with creative production contracts (such as music licensing, talent agreements, and video production agreements) is a plus.

• Outstanding written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to convey complex legal issues clearly to non-legal professionals.

• Capability to foster mutual trust, respect, and collaboration among all DEPT® team members and clients.

• Strong commitment to treating everyone at DEPT® as a client and ensuring that DEPT®’s clients are treated with respect and a win-win problem-solving approach.

• Proficient in anticipating and preventing legal issues and risks.

• Effectively represent the organization in its relationships with legal and business communities as appropriate.

• Demonstrated hands-on experience with AI-powered legal tools, including contract review and analysis platforms, and AI-assisted legal drafting and research tools. Ability to critically assess and validate AI-generated outputs, applying professional judgment to identify errors, gaps, and legal risks.

• Experience in evaluating and implementing AI tools within a legal or corporate setting, including contributing to AI use policies, risk assessments, and internal training on responsible AI use.

• Genuine interest in and ongoing engagement with the evolving landscape of legal AI, including awareness of key vendors, product capabilities, and the limitations and risks associated with AI in legal practice.

• High professional and personal standards with unwavering integrity.

🏝️ Benefits

• Healthcare, dental, and vision coverage.

• 401k plan with matching contributions.

• Paid time off (PTO).

• Paid company holidays.

• Parental leave.