SENIOR COUNSEL CONSUMER PRODUCTS OUT-LICENSING 

LEGAL & BUSINESS AFFAIRS 

Nature of Opportunity 

We’re seeking a talented individual with demonstrated lawyering and management skills, and substantial licensing and other IP-transactional expertise, to join Mattel’s global consumer products out-licensing practice. This position is located at Mattel’s headquarters in Los Angeles. 

Substantive Experience 

Our ideal candidate will have a minimum of 10 years’ experience as an IP transactional attorney at a “blue chip” law firm and either a studio or another company with a sophisticated transactional practice. Our ideal candidate will also have: 

1. A demonstrated track record structuring, drafting, negotiating, and managing IP licenses and a broad range of other IP-based transactions, as well as familiarity with how content and other IP can be exploited across a range of media and platforms.
   
2. A strong understanding of a sophisticated consumer products licensing practice, including a deep knowledge of business and legal issues related to: IP ownership, including complex ownership arrangements; royalty structures and participations; foreign currency issues; licensing agent relationships; and product safety.
   
3. A strong aptitude for administrative excellence in managing a forms- and process-driven practice, and for constructively interfacing with a range of stakeholders, including those in product integrity, finance, risk management, royalty accounting, manufacturing, and operations, some of whom may have conflicting interests.
   

Skills, Style, and Management Experience 

Our ideal candidate will also: 

1. Partner to Senior Management. Cultivate the trust and confidence of, and be an effective partner to, senior executives.
   
2. Balanced Approach. Provide strategic legal and business advice that’s appropriately risk-balanced. Manage deals with risks and the long-term in mind, but without losing sight of the imperative to advance Mattel’s business and close deals – often with challenging deadlines.
   
3. Strategic Thinker. Identify issues and relevant Mattel stakeholders early – and then work constructively with the stakeholders and creatively solve the issues. 
4. Leadership Ability. Excel, and inspire others to excel, in a culture that fosters and demands accountability, speed, trust, and ethical conduct. Effectively lead part of our high performing out- licensing legal team.
   
5. Curiosity and Growth. Be intellectually curious and eager to grow and develop. Be humble; recognize that they must continue to “learn on the job” and be receptive to constructive feedback; and elevate issues that are beyond their practice experience or comfort zone.
   
6. Engaged Practice Management. Proactively manage expectations of clients, business partners, and staff. Also proactively manage staff, deals, administrative functions, and issues across offices, time zones, and sub-practice areas. Skillfully juggle constantly changing priorities and sometimes conflicting objectives. Contribute to a culture that values strong practice administration.
   
7. Excellent Work Product and Work Ethic. Write and present in a concise, lucid manner – in emails, memos, presentations, and contracts.
   
8. Support of M&A Practice. Provide strategic due diligence, licensing, and other support of our M&A practice.
   
9. Great Attitude. Maintain a professional demeanor, in writing and in person, with clients, support staff, management, outside counsel, and business partners. A sense of humor is a plus.