Legal Assistant

Title : Legal Assistant

Status : Full-Time, Exempt

Reports to: EVP and General Counsel

JOB OBJECTIVE:

Provide legal support and administrative and coordination services to the General Counsel, Associate General Counsel, and Contracts and Regulatory Specialist. Report to the EVP and General Counsel

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

  • Become familiar with all of WETA’s and NewsHour Production’s (“NHP”) production and other agreements; continuously update department guide detailing WETA’s and NHP’s rights and obligations with respect to its various productions.
  • Submit contracts approved by the Legal and Business Affairs Department for e-signature via DocuSign, making sure to copy the relevant internal and external contacts; organize and maintain department database of electronic copies. Track termination and renewal dates; monitor for upcoming expiration dates, and notify attorneys and programming staff of need to terminate, renew, or renegotiate.
  • Register program titles for copyright royalty distributions with PBS, CRC, CCC, and AGICOA using website portals, and distribute royalties owed to copyright owners that are not paid directly by entities collecting and distributing royalties.
  • Draft agreements with independent contractors and other agreements as required by WETA’s and NHP’s business activities as assigned by General Counsel, Associate General Counsel, and Contracts and Regulatory Specialist.
  • Maintain and update the FCC, CPB, and IRS public files. Coordinate visits by members of the public to review the public files.
  • Manage footage licensing and other requests for material from WETA programs; research past contracts and copyright issues as they affect the sale and/or license of programs and footage.
  • Maintain documents related to, and renewal applications for WETA’s nationwide charitable solicitation registrations.
  • Submit corporate annual reports and registration fees for WETA, WETACOM, and NHP for VA and/or DC.
  • Participate in the assessment of contract database/ file management programs, with primary responsibility for implementing and operating selected program.
  • Assist with the coordination of deliverables required under contracts with ancillary distributors, including obtaining necessary internal review and approval of packaging elements.
  • Register WETA and NHP’s programming with the U.S. Copyright Office
  • Perform administrative work for department, including maintaining files, scheduling meetings, coding and submitting invoices for payment, and submitting expense reports. Other duties as assigned

SKILLS & ABILITIES REQUIRED:

  • Demonstrated writing skills, particularly with respect to business documents.
  • Excellent interpersonal skills with a customer service orientation and ability to produce high quality work.
  • Strong communication, organizational and problem-solving skills.
  • Ability to work unsupervised and to seek out opportunities to streamline process and provide general support to department
  • Experience with effective workload balancing to accomplish multiple tasks, including working cross-functionally with other teams and/or resources.
  • Ability to think critically and analytically.
  • Strong understanding and application of computer technology to efficiently accomplish work, using Microsoft Office programs, Adobe, email, Internet, and database management software. Proficiency with databases such as FileMaker Pro or similar software strongly desired.
  • Able to work independently, manage multiple projects simultaneously, be flexible, detail oriented and able to prioritize.
  • Must exhibit sound judgment and handle confidential matters.
  • Must be a team player with a positive, can-do approach who likes working in a fast paced environment.
  • Must be pro-active in work style with a deadline oriented focus. Willingness to take on and assume responsibility for a wide range of projects.
  • Interest in public broadcasting and the non-profit sector.

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE:

  • College Degree
  • Two years of experience with legal matters and/or in a media business environment desirable.

LOCATION

WETA and NewsHour Productions are Washington, DC established media and news organizations. We are a largely local workforce based out of the Campbell Place office in Arlington, VA. WETA and NewsHour Productions value employee flexibility when possible. Most positions based in our Arlington, VA office will be onsite or hybrid, depending upon the role.

COMPANY OVERVIEW

WETA and its subsidiary NewsHour Productions LLC serve local and national public media audiences by producing and distributing content of intellectual integrity and cultural merit. Through broadcast, digital and community services, the organization offers compelling, diverse programming on five television channels, including primary channel WETA PBS, and on WETA Classical, the exclusive home for classical music in the nation’s capital; produces a portfolio of national television productions, including PBS NewsHour, recognized globally for bringing balanced, in-depth news coverage to all Americans; creates impactful documentaries with longtime production partners Ken Burns and Prof. Henry Louis Gates, Jr.; features a variety of content offerings on weta.org, WETA Passport, the PBS Video App and the WETA Classical App; and serves communities near and far with education and engagement initiatives that contribute to the company’s mission of public service.

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

WETA/NewsHour Productions is an equal opportunity employer committed to providing employees with a work environment free of discrimination and harassment of any kind. Fostering a culture of mutual respect is a top priority and something we take very seriously.

Employment at WETA/NewsHour Productions is based on business needs, job requirements and individual qualifications, without regard to race, age, ethnicity or ethnic origin, religion or belief, sex (including pregnancy), physical, mental or sensory ability, HIV Status, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, marital, civil union or domestic partnership status, past or present military service, family medical history or genetic information, family or parental status, or any other protected characteristic as outlined by federal, state, or local laws. We are also committed to demonstrating fair and equitable systems, practices, and processes related to how we recruit, develop, retain, promote, reward, compensate, and terminate talent.

We know that Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion is fundamental to the success of our business and our people, and we will continue to recognize it as part of our guiding principles.

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