Complex NTWRK · 2 months ago
Associate Counsel, Intellectual Property and Entertainment Law
New York
Full-time
Onsite
Mid Level
$150K/yr - $170K/yr
3+ years expComplex is a leading platform for global youth culture and music lifestyle, focusing on innovative content and commerce. They are seeking an Associate Counsel to manage intellectual property licensing, draft and negotiate agreements, and advise on legal matters related to merchandise and entertainment.
Media and EntertainmentMusicPrintingPublishing
No H1B
U.S. Citizen Only
Responsibilities
Drafting, negotiating, and managing merchandise licensing agreements; oversight of inbound/outbound co-branded IP licensing; collaborations with consumer brands, retail partners, and manufacturers; and rights clearance
Advising on trademark, copyright, publicity rights, brand protection, anti-counterfeiting, and enforcement strategies; managing clearance of logos, names, characters, artwork, and designs for use on merchandise and in co-branded programs
Manufacturing and supply agreements, QC/approvals, safety/labeling basics, wholesale/marketplace/DTC terms (service levels, returns/chargebacks), and fulfillment/reporting
Draft agreements for pop-ups, festival activations, and on-site retail agreements
Partner with Sales/Brand Partnerships to structure, draft, and negotiate sponsorship agreements (IOs/CCAs/SOWs, talent attachments)
Structure, draft, negotiate, and manage complex commercial agreements across digital media, entertainment, and publishing, including advertising sales transactions with direct and agency clients
Drive inbound licensing and rights clearance for third-party IP used in merch, content, and activations (trademarks, artwork, characters, music/footage), ensuring clean chain-of-title
Negotiate manufacturing, distribution, and retail/e-commerce agreements (MGs/royalties, service levels, marketing commitments, returns/recalls basics)
Structure and negotiate merchandising framework and collaboration agreements with music labels and third-party merch companies, covering rights clearance, co-brand/mark usage, MG/royalty and audit mechanics, and on-site and e-commerce sales
Support events and pop-ups: venue and temporary occupancy, fabrication/production, vendor MSAs, insurance/COIs and indemnities, on-site filming/appearance releases, and sponsor/activation packages
Draft talent/influencer/creator deals (deliverables, usage windows/territories, exclusivity, morality, right-of-publicity, FTC disclosure and platform-policy compliance)
Advise on trademark strategy and brand protection and manage the day-to-day portfolio with outside counsel
Create and maintain template forms, guideline documentation, and training materials, and prepare clear deal summaries for Brand Partnerships, Content & Editorial, Advertising, and Finance
Qualification
Required
JD required from an ABA accredited university
An active member of the New York state bar
3+ years experience as a practicing in-house attorney at a media/production company, merchandise/e-commerce, or relevant law firm experience
Experience with entertainment and digital media transactions including licensing, digital publishing, advertising, content product and content distribution
Strong analytical capabilities and judgment, even when the rules and law are unclear and the issues are of first impression
Excellent drafting, negotiation, and organizational skills
Excellent written and verbal communication skills
Preferred
Experience with music licensing, rights clearances, and marketing review
Proficiency with Prisma, Boostr, Microsoft Office Suite, Adobe, Google Workspace, DocuSign, Airtable, Slack and Contract Lifecycle Management Systems
Practical command of consumer-product compliance for merch
Comfort operating in fast-cycle, first-of-kind deals and translating risk into clear options for non-lawyers
Benefits
Best in class health, dental, and vision insurance
Healthcare FSA
Dependent Care FSA
Commuter Benefits FSA
Short-term/long-term disability and life insurance
Paid Parental leave
401k with 4% match
Pet Insurance
Legal and Identity Theft Plans
Vacation time and sick days
Company
Complex NTWRK
Complex is the definitive platform for global youth culture and music lifestyle, seamlessly integrating cutting-edge content, commerce and live experiences with unparalleled scale.
201-500 employees
Funding
Current Stage
Growth StageTotal Funding
$60.53MKey Investors
Hearst CommunicationsIconix Brand GroupS3 Ventures
2016-04-18Acquired
2015-09-22Series Unknown· $21M
2013-09-23Series Unknown· $25M
Recent News
2026-01-20
2025-11-03
Company data provided by crunchbase