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Universal Music Group · 3 days ago

Universal Music Group 2026 Summer Internship: Business & Legal Affairs Opportunities: (Multiple Locations: CA, DC, NY, FL)

Santa Monica, CA

Internship

Onsite

Intern

$15/hr - $25/hr

Start in 2026 Summer

Universal Music Group is the world’s leading music company, committed to artistry, innovation, and entrepreneurship. The Business & Legal Affairs internship offers students the opportunity to support various legal projects and gain hands-on experience within the music industry.

Audio Recording and ProductionMedia and EntertainmentMusicPublishing

No H1B

Responsibilities

Contractual research

Draft and redline assignments that may include LODs, NDAs and tolling agreements

Review and drafting artist agreements

Attend meetings

Review content for IP and clearance issues

Organize agreements (i.e., reading contracts for specific information and compiling data/creating charts or logs)

Prepare research on timely legal issues in the music industry to present to the department

Draft memoranda and summarized recording proposals for distribution to company executives

Draft clearance agreements for various marketing initiatives, including music videos and artwork

Draft correspondence such as indemnification and audit letters

Participate in production and clearance meetings

General departmental support as needed

Interpolation reviews

Upload documents to Monday.com

Schedule meetings

Research

Drafting basic legal documents, reviewing and processing product release approvals

Maintaining contract databases and providing general administrative and research support

Maintain guest artist records for UMLE artists, including: (i) liaising with third parties and managing participation requests; (ii) coordinating approvals of participations internally; (iii) tracking all participations (external and internal) via a digital database

Create and manage centralized artist rosters and artist contact sheets for UMLE labels

Help maintain and update various internal contract databases and spreadsheets of all artist agreements and related rights

Support BA with option tracking/exercising deal termination processes

Conduct general legal and contractual research as required; review music agreements, amendments and related documents as requested by BA, A&R/Admin, Finance, etc., and prepare ad hoc contract summary reports and memos

Assist with non-publishing matters (i.e., reviewing master-use & synch licenses, and draft and issuing same upon request)

Review and analyze chain of title documents to confirm necessary transfer of rights for applicable exploitation, as well as prepare written analysis to identify issues (if any)

Review and analyze video footage to identify clearance issues, including product placement, trademark, and copyright matters

In the event of overflow, assist in reviewing and interpreting audio and video checklists and related documents to check for legal issues and accuracy

Participate in department discussions regarding best practices, standard language and policies to enable drafting consistency and improve workflow/streamline processes

Research and interpret contracts and other legal documents

Assist attorneys in drafting and reviewing a variety of legal agreements

Support senior attorneys in managing and responding to legal claims and inquiries

Help clear rights for the release of recorded products

Maintain records in UMG’s contract data management system

Review and summarize contracts

Redline various publishing agreements, correspondence and other documents

Draft standard form letters and other legal documents

Research assigned topics such as significant changes in music trends, new music applications, and digital platforms, among other topics

Assist in record keeping and data management for non-attorney teams

Attend weekly meetings and phone calls with supervising attorneys

Interact with other departments based on department needs and tasks

Legal research and writing

Research into ownership/control of assets and the use by third parties of our works

Research into the background of disputes that we may want to assert or are brought against us

Reviewing and redlining agreements

Researching legal issues

Updating templates

Reviewing documents

Researching rights in our historical agreements

Summarizing relevant documents

Drafting brief agreements

Depending on competency and demonstrated comprehension, the intern may be able to handle more complex review/research and drafting

Reviewing and summarizing contracts; may be asked to help with our implementation of AI tools

Testing out digital music services and social media apps to describe the relevant features and functionality for music uses

Conducting research on legislation, press reports and other matters, as needed. Ability to probe online sources to find information and compile them into a comprehensible format

Attending congressional staff hearings and industry meetings, as applicable, with SVP and Senior Manager, Public Policy and Government Relations

Assisting Senior Manager, Public Policy and Government Relations with day-to-day operations; drafting legislative reports; coordinating special events and scheduling

Researching and preparing materials for congressional and UMG executive meetings

Maintaining distribution lists of internal and external contacts

Qualification

Legal researchContract draftingBilingual (English/Spanish)Analytical skillsMonday.comWriting skillsInterpersonal skillsAttention to detailOrganizational skillsCommunication skillsSelf-starter

Required

Currently enrolled at an accredited two or four-year college/university in the United States, pursuing an undergraduate, graduate and/or law degree

Graduating between Spring 2026 - Fall 2028

Have access to housing and transportation within the designated city (We do not offer housing or transportation accommodations)

Legally authorized to work in the United States and will not require sponsorship for employment visa status, now or in the future (e.g., H1-B, OPT, etc.)

Commit to 20 - 40 hours per week (based on individual business area)

Candidates must be enrolled as a full-time law student (2L or 3L preferred)

Strong attention to detail

Strong organizational skills and efficiency

Ability to multitask and meet tight deadlines in fast-paced, high-pressure environments

High level of integrity

Discretion in handling confidential information

Professionalism in dealing with senior professionals inside and outside the company

A 'can-do' attitude

Knowledge of Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)

Self-starter

Excellent communication skills

Eager to learn

Preferred

Redlining experience a plus

Exposure to contract coursework documents

Experience with Monday.com

Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to draft and edit legal or business correspondence clearly and accurately

Familiarity with contract terminology and basic legal concepts (e.g., rights management, licensing, IP, confidentiality)

Bilingual fluency in English and Spanish, with the ability to review and interpret legal documents in both languages

Basic knowledge of music law, music industry, intellectual property, and record label issues

Ability to issue-spot potential legal issues

Ability to think creatively about problem solving

Have some sense of 'business' as this is not a purely 'legal' team

Strong reading comprehension skills

Interest in technology and digital media

Strong interpersonal skills

General understanding of the branches of the U.S. Government and the legislative process

Pursuing a degree in political science, government, or law or with previous legislative/policy experience is preferred

Knowledge and passion of multiple musical genres, music industry issues and politics

Company

Universal Music Group

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Universal Music Group is a music-based entertainment company that offers music recording, publishing, and merchandising services worldwide. It is a sub-organization of Leviy Publishing.

Founded in 1934