Counsel, Intellectual Property

LA28 does not provide relocation assistance.

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LA28 is the independent, non-profit, privately funded organizing committee for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games. We are on a singular mission to create an Olympic and Paralympic Games that celebrate all that this city and country have to offer, delivering an unparalleled experience for athletes, fans, partners and our community.  

The 2028 Games mark the return of the Summer Games to the U.S. for the first time in 32 years and Los Angeles’ third time hosting an Olympic Games and first time welcoming the Paralympic Games. This presents the unique and exciting opportunity to celebrate our legacy with the Games and push the Olympic and Paralympic Movements forward, writing a new chapter of Games history in Los Angeles.  

Putting on an Olympic and Paralympic Games is a team sport. To build a Games unlike any the world has seen before, we need the best team in place–a team full of diverse perspectives, experiences and expertise. We are guided by the following set of values and behaviors–optimism, integrity, excellence, inclusion, co-creation and boldness–and look forward to hearing about how your past experiences align with them.

Counsel, Intellectual Property:

The Counsel, Intellectual Property will be an essential member of the legal team, joining a team of lawyers who are responsible for commercial contracts, content creation and clearance, administration of LA28 intellectual property, and more.  This position will leverage negotiation, relationship-building, critical-thinking, and communication skills to support needs across the organization, with a focus on intellectual property and marketing clearances.  

This role offers an unparalleled opportunity to increase your professional network, gain valuable legal and business affairs experience, and grow with the organization as we gear up for the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games! 

This position will report to the Associate General Counsel & Head of Rights Protection. 

Key Responsibilities:

• Steady stream of self-directed analytical work, meetings, decision-making, and drafting, including reviewing and negotiating all varieties of IP-related contracts such as IP licensing agreements, marketing agreements, waivers, and rights/clearances. 

• Develop and implement streamlined clearance processes for the review of creative assets across the organization, including leading on processes and documentation required for necessary permissions. 

• Ensure contracts are legally sound, protect LA28’s rights, comply with LA28’s contractual and other obligations, and align with strategic objectives.  

• Work closely with individual departments to anticipate, identify, and manage clearance needs and IP protections, including new requests and renewals. 

• Help establish and refine legal team policies, procedures, and standard operating practices with respect to intellectual property and rights/clearances.  

• Support in maintaining intellectual property management systems, including preparing trademark/copyright applications and/or renewals.  

• Support the anti-ambush work of the legal department to protect LA28’s IP portfolio. 

• Update and maintain LA28’s suite of template contracts and IP terms and conditions, as necessitated by changes in business needs and law. 

• Ensure compliance with applicable with international, federal, state, and local laws and regulations.   

• Conduct legal research in support of IP contracting, rights protection, and other topics important to overall legal operations for LA28.   

• Keep current on industry-wide legal trends and developments. 

• Support on other projects and assignments as may be requested by the Associate General Counsel & Head of Rights Protection and other legal team members, including but not limited to operational contracts, rights protection workstreams, and more.  

While experience in these areas is preferred, we also look for candidates with intellectual curiosity and a demonstrated ability to learn quickly to round out areas where a candidate may not have depth of experience.  This job description is a general summary of responsibilities and requirements and is not intended to be all-inclusive of the responsibilities and requirements of this position. 

Background & Requirements:

• At least 3+ years’ experience in contract review and negotiation required. 

• Concrete understanding of intellectual property, contract law, marketing clearances, and business transactional principles. 

• Prior in-house experience a plus. 

• Experience in sports or live-events is a plus (but not required). 

• Local candidates preferred. 

• License to practice law, be in good standing with the California State Bar, and have the ability to practice law in California. 

Expectations:

• Strong interpersonal skills, including the ability to communicate effectively and proactively with a variety of contacts, including senior management and business associates. 

• Excellent judgment, knowing when to escalate issues. 

• Excellent analytical skills; capable of identifying and prioritizing issues and providing alternative solutions. 

• Excellent project and time-management skills and ability to manage and prioritize changing workloads to meet deadlines.   

• Ability to drive client-focused results and take actions to close transactions.   

• Positive, team-oriented and collaborative attitude. 

• High level of personal integrity and professional ethics; ability to maintain confidentiality. 

• Sound judgment and decision-making skills. 

Education:

• Undergraduate degree and Juris Doctor degree from an ABA accredited law school required. 

Physical Requirements and Working Conditions:

• Ability to work on-site in an open office environment, based in Los Angeles, CA  

• The majority of work will be conducted in an office setting, requiring extended periods of time using computers, phones, and other office equipment  

• Hours of work may vary, including evenings, weekends, and holidays, especially during peak event periods. 

The annual base salary range for this position is $120,000-$155,000. The pay scale provided is the range that LA28 reasonably expects to pay as starting base compensation for this role. All LA28 compensation remains subject to final determination based on individual candidate qualifications, experience, or other reasonable criteria consistent with LA28’s operational business needs and applicable law.

LA28 does not provide relocation assistance.

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LA28 is committed to fair and unbiased recruitment procedures allowing all applicants an equal opportunity for employment, free from discrimination on the basis of religion, race, sex, age, sexual orientation, disability, color, ethnic or national origin, or any other classification as may be protected by applicable law. LA28 will consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with the requirements of the Los Angeles Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance and all applicable laws. We strive to build a team that is inclusive and encourage qualified candidates of all backgrounds, perspectives, and identities to apply. We assess applications based on relevant skills, education, and experience a candidate can add to our team.