The mission of Jazz at Lincoln Center, Inc. (“JALC”) is to entertain, enrich and expand a global community for jazz through performance, education, and advocacy. From college students to young stars, from working professionals to celebrated masters, we present quality jazz for an ever-increasing audience in an unprecedented range of activities and a variety of venues. We are dedicated to lifting audiences and bringing people together with substance and with integrity. JALC has created a dynamic platform where our key constituents – jazz artists (beginner to grizzled veteran), fans (casual listeners to advanced scholars), educators (local band leaders to leading artist-educators) and advocates (local community advocates to important national promoters) – can meet, engage, learn, and work towards common objectives.
Position Description
Reporting to the Deputy General Counsel, the Associate Legal Counsel will help protect JALC’s legal interest within an evolving regulatory framework and in alignment with best practices. The Associate Legal Counsel will perform a variety of complex tasks for which a wide degree of creativity and latitude is expected. This person must possess a high level of judgment, discretion, diplomacy, professionalism, communication skills and respect for the arts, and have and maintain the highest level of integrity.
The Associate Legal Counsel will be responsible for drafting contracts, research and writing memoranda, advising on union and real estate matters, meeting regularly with JALC personnel, and protecting JALC’s intellectual property. The Associate Legal Counsel will shadow both the General Counsel and Deputy General Counsel in meetings and on conference calls.
The Associate General Counsel will play a key role in the legal department proactively adding value to all aspects and goals of JALC’s business. The Associate General Counsel will also help to create systems for tracking and maintaining the legal department files and work closely with the legal team to create and maintain an efficient legal department.
Key Responsibilities
- Advise internal clients on legal issues in content licensing, intellectual property distribution, trademarks, social media, marketing, promotions, real estate and compliance matters.
- Structure, draft, review, interpret and negotiate contracts, including, but not limited to, production, license, artist, tour, consultant, contractor, vendor, sponsorship, publishing, distribution, software, technology, media, event, residency and lease agreements.
- Advise on rights and intellectual property matters, ensuring compliance with relevant laws and regulations.
- Pre-broadcast review of creative materials, with a focus on intellectual property, fair use, music clearance, publicity and privacy. Advise on production legal issues.
- Stay up to date with legal developments and regulations related to intellectual property and rights, ensuring compliance with all relevant laws.
- Collaborate closely with business partners to gain a thorough understanding of their respective departments and help develop strategies that align with legal requirements.
- Act as a valuable resource for the organization by providing legal support, guidance, and recommendations to various departments and stakeholders.
- Research and write memoranda on various topics, including rules and regulations pertaining to non-profits, collective bargaining agreements (“CBA”), and personnel policies.
- Proactively triage new matters and communicate with JALC staff in a fast-paced environment.
- Create, review and update standard agreement templates in web-based platform for day-to-day operations.
- Assess insurance requirements, in consult with the organization's insurance brokers.
- Support the process of maintaining JALC registered trademarks.
- Work with the General Counsel, Deputy General Counsel and other colleagues on major projects with long-term organizational implications.
- Take initiative on other legal and board governance matters as needed.
- Be in the office five days a week. This is not a hybrid or remote role.
Qualifications
- Juris Doctorate from an accredited law school. Admission to the New York Bar.
- At least 1-3 years of relevant legal experience, preferably within a nonprofit or entertainment industry setting. In-house experience preferred.
- Demonstrated integrity and adhering to high ethical values in decisions and dealings with others.
- Ability to build rapport and effectively liaise with internal clients, outside counsel, constituencies, and adversaries at all levels.
- Flexible working style and responds calmly when under pressure.
- Excellent organizational and communication skills.
- Results oriented team player with a capacity to work in a fast-paced, creative, multi‑faceted business environment.
- Handles confidential information using discretion, professional sensitivity, and sound judgment.
- Expertise in advising creatives on copyright/fair use/privacy matters.
- Attention to detail and ability to multi-task, prioritize and schedule work effectively without compromising interpersonal skills or optimal results.
- Superior verbal and written communications skills, and able to create and lead power point presentations.
- Experience with digital distribution, content licensing, web sites and social media accounts.
- Experience with legal issues related to nonprofits, public charities, and fundraising.
- Ability to work both independently and as part of a team.
- Ability to structure and draft agreements independently and efficiently.
- Demonstrated ability, in a positive and practical manner, to approach complex legal scenarios.
JALC offers a comprehensive benefits package, including generous PTO, medical, dental, and a 403(b) plan. Interested applicants should send a cover letter, salary requirements, and resume to careers@jazz.org with Associate Legal Counsel in the subject line. Please include how you heard about the position in the cover letter.
Work Hours
JALC does not offer a hybrid work schedule. All staff work together as a team, Monday through Friday at our offices (either JALC’s administrative offices at 3 Columbus Circle or at Frederick P. Rose Hall, The House of Swing).
Jazz at Lincoln Center, Inc. is an equal opportunity employer.