Sr. Counsel, Business & Legal Affairs

WELCOME TO HARTBEAT. WE ARE COMEDY. WE ARE CULTURE.

HARTBEAT is the global, multi-platform media company founded by Kevin Hart with a mission to keep the world laughing together. Operating at the intersection of comedy and culture, we are dedicated to creating, producing distributing, and marketing compelling content and experiences that make your heart beat a little faster.

Led by an award-winning team, Hartbeat is a trusted creative partner for the world’s top entertainment companies, platforms, and brands. We drive cultural impact and generate sales, subscriptions, buzz, and conversation with some of the most coveted audiences.

We are committed to nurturing the next generation of diverse comedians while collaborating with established comedy legends. Our ecosystem supports talent, content and brands across various formats, platforms, and opportunities in TV, film, digital, audio, and experiential.

Our flagship consumer brand, LOL! Network, engages audiences through its owned-and-operated social media channels, audio content, and partnerships with OTT platforms.

THE ROLE:

We are looking for an experienced attorney to serve as the Sr. Counsel, Business & Legal Affairs. This role is for someone who is excited to take on big challenges and find creative solutions. This position will report directly to the General Counsel.

Note: Our office is located in West Hollywood, and we require our employees to be able to work out of our HQ 4 days a week.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Serve as primary legal partner for the digital/platform division and the brand partnerships/marketing division, providing day-to-day counsel and support on all deal flow, in close collaboration with the General Counsel

• Structure, negotiate and draft deal memos and longform agreements for the following:

• channel placement agreements for FAST channels and other company-owned channels on third-party platforms

• content licensing for acquisitions (“in”) and distributions (“out”) across film, television, and digital, aligning with windowing strategies, exclusivity, and cross-platform monetization

• technology and SaaS agreements supporting digital and platform operations, including media buying, analytics, ad-tech, and content management systems

• digital original productions, including podcasts, covering development, production, distribution, and monetization terms, as well as associated talent, music, and rights clearances

• brand partnerships, sponsorships, influencer agreements, insertion orders, and branded content deals

• live event production, venue, sponsorship, and talent agreements

• Work closely with the General Counsel and business executives to implement best practices, formulate new processes, and create and revise agreement templates

• Oversee, streamline and liaise on production legal matters being handled by outside counsel

• Provide timely, solutions-oriented advice on a wide range of issues, including material deal terms, intellectual property rights, availability/restrictions of use of certain materials, privacy, music, clearances, guild/union and labor issues, insurance, credits and delivery

• Assist with managing various corporate matters, including M&A transactions, investor relations matters, operations, real estate, etc.

• Handle various other commercial deals from time to time

• Handling certain employment-related agreements and advising on employment matters from time to time

• Oversee and work with the Contract Manager in the maintenance of:

o corporate books and records for multiple entities (e.g., formation documents as well as board and shareholder resolutions and other corporate maintenance items)

o cap table management

o entity formation/dissolutions

o record keeping and tracking

o creation of deal summaries and rights reports

• Handling other matters as needed at the direction of the General Counsel

SKILLS & EXPERIENCE:

Qualifications:

• Must have a JD from an accredited law school and be a member in good standing with the California State Bar (or eligible for in-house counsel registration in California).

• 5-8 years of substantial, relevant transactional experience

• Ideally should have 3-4 years at a top-tier law firm with corporate law experience; and

• 3-4 years of in-house experience in media, entertainment, digital platforms, live events, or brand/marketing transactions

• Excellent negotiating and drafting skills across a wide range of commercial agreements

• Knowledge of entertainment labor/guild framework

• Knowledge of a variety of IP matters, including trademarks, copyrights, defamation, fair use and privacy rights

• Experience advising senior business leaders and cross-functional teams, with the ability to align legal strategy to business objectives.

• Willingness to take ownership and control of complex projects

• High proficiency with Outlook, Word (Advanced), Excel (Advanced), PowerPoint, and DocuSign

Desired Skills:

• Strong communication skills both written and oral

• Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to interface with colleagues, agents, managers and talent lawyers

• Flexible and willing to grow and adjust as the company grows

• Extremely organized and detail oriented with the ability to manage confidential and sensitive material with discretion

• Entrepreneurial spirit and exceptional judgment

• Ability to multi-task

• Creative problem-solving capabilities

• Strategic thinker and motivated to keep updated on branded content trends, pop culture, and brand storytelling

WORK HARD, LAUGH HARDER

Look, it’s called work for a reason. We show up for our teammates, our partners, and our audience. We’re a high-energy culture, where EVERYONE IS A HEADLINER, expected to give their best performance. But that doesn’t mean it can’t be fun, meaningful, and inspiring. Because if you’re not having fun at work, you’re missing a good time!

So, if you hate fun, never like to laugh, and hardly ever smile, we have the job for you – somewhere else. But if you believe in a culture of creativity, entrepreneurialism, inclusion, hustle, and heart – while prioritizing fun and funny – you belong here.

Must be 18 years or older and willing to submit to a reference check and must have unrestricted work authorization to work in the United States.

BENEFITS

We got you! Hartbeat provides eligible employees competitive benefits, including: Medical, dental and vision insurance, life and disability insurance, paid vacation and holiday pay and generous family leave policies. We also offer 401(k) retirement savings plan, flexible spending account and an unlimited supply of laughs on company time (aftershock giggles may spill into personal time) and more!

COMPENSATION

Actual compensation within the pay range will be decided based on factors including, but not limited to, skills, competencies, prior relevant experience, and work location. Base pay is one part of the Total Package that is provided to compensate and recognize employees for their work, and this role may be eligible for additional discretionary bonuses and incentives.

Hartbeat also offers a comprehensive benefits package for full-time employees, that include healthcare benefits, a 401(k) plan including an employer match, family planning, paid time off, paid parental leave, several paid holidays, and more.

NOTICES

We take this seriously. Hartbeat provides equal employment opportunities to all applicants and employees without regard to race, color, religion, creed, gender, gender identity or expression, age, national origin or ancestry, citizenship, disability, sexual orientation, marital status, pregnancy, veteran status, membership in the uniformed services, genetic information, or any other basis protected by applicable law. As an equal opportunity employer, Hartbeat will provide reasonable accommodations as required by applicable federal, state, and/or local laws.