Counsel, Content

Who we are:

MasterClass is transforming online education by enabling anyone in the world to learn from the very best.  We are deconstructing what makes an actor able to cry on demand, how an athlete defies gravity, and what it takes to write a bestseller.  Our online learning content is available to students anywhere anytime, which supports our mission to ignite the greatness in others.

We are a quickly growing VC-funded startup based in San Francisco, with additional offices in Los Angeles.  We have created online classes taught by famous masters— Gordon Ramsay, Serena Williams, Neil deGrasse Tyson, Sara Blakely, David Sedaris, Bobbi Brown, Timbaland, Anna Wintour and many more to come.

Since launching in 2015, we have been growing our team. Apply now to find out more about what we are doing behind the scenes.

What we are looking for:

MasterClass is seeking an experienced attorney to join our expanding legal team to support our content and production teams. You will handle all legal aspects of the creation of our classes. The right candidate will have excellent interpersonal and project management skills, good judgment, and the ability to excel in a fast-paced environment.

Responsibilities of the role:

• Act as a primary point of legal contact for the entire MasterClass content creation workstream, including talent, creative, production, post-production, and rights and clearances
• Draft and negotiate a broad range of agreements, including talent agreements, third party license agreements, below-the-line crew agreements, location agreements, releases, production services agreements and other production-related documents
• Provide analysis and advice on copyright and other intellectual property matters, as well as guild and talent issues 
• Develop and implement forms and policies across the company
• Remain up-to-date on relevant industry news and relevant laws and regulations 
• Work closely with cross-functional partners as a trusted business partner to achieve business outcomes without taking on unreasonable risks
• Formulate and implement legal policy and processes across the organization

Requirements:

• At least 7 years of relevant legal experience (preference for in-house experience in the entertainment industry as a lawyer in connection with the development and production of filmed content)
• Strong understanding of content creation, technology and media distribution with extensive experience and strong skills in drafting and negotiating contracts, counseling on legal compliance issues, and content review
• Ability to provide pragmatic, business-oriented legal advice, work effectively cross-functionally to drive to results, and guide stakeholders on approval processes, policies, and procedures
• Ability to work proactively, independently and reliably under tight time frames in a startup environment
• Juris Doctorate degree from an accredited law school, and membership in one state bar or equivalent and the ability to practice in California
• Work full-time in our San Francisco or Los Angeles office
• Legally eligible to work in the United States

At MasterClass, we believe we put our best work forward when our employees bring together ideas that are diverse in thought. We are proud to be an equal opportunity workplace and are committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, color, religion, national origin, age, sex, marital status, ancestry, physical or mental disability, genetic information, veteran status, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state or local law. In addition, MasterClass will provide reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities.  If you have a disability or special need, we would like to know how we can better accommodate you.