Managing Counsel, Ceremonies and Content

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.

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. 

The Managing Counsel, Ceremonies and Content, will play a key role in developing and implementing legal strategies for non-competition events and content: especially, the Opening and Closing Ceremonies, Torch Relays, Cultural Olympiad, Live Sites and Fan Experiences. Working alongside the rest of the legal team, this position will be responsible for designing frameworks for strategic partnerships, managing critical stakeholder relationships, implementing policies and processes to achieve organizational priorities, and negotiating a high volume and variety of agreements and licensing arrangements in support of LA28’s diverse array of live events, entertainment and cultural programming (e.g., talent agreements, IP licenses, venue/vendor agreements, marketing agreements, government and local organization cooperation agreements, releases, etc.). Further, and in close collaboration with LA28 business partners, this attorney will, among other things, recommend best practices for supporting key organizational mandates, curate language for external communications, and provide input on guidelines for third parties participating in LA28 events. This position will regularly correspond with sophisticated business executives, outside production companies and stakeholders (e.g., IOC, IPC, broadcasters, sponsors, venues, government entities, outside counsel, etc.).     

Significant drafting and deal-making experience is required, with evidence of self-directed responsibility in standing up new processes and projects highly desirable. One should expect to hit the ground running, ready to contribute solutions from hands-on legal experience in live events, production, and/or other relevant fields. To be successful in this role, one should: 

• be comfortable working in a varied, unstructured, fast-paced, “start-up” environment;  
• leverage out-of-the-box thinking and bespoke drafting;  
• possess keen and polished communication skills; 
• balance and prioritize multiple time-sensitive deliverables; and 
• offer creative problem-solving, timely follow-through and an aptitude to stay calm under pressure.  

This position offers an unparalleled opportunity to increase your professional network, gain valuable business and legal insights across a range of areas, and grow with the organization as we gear up for the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games!  

This role will report to the Associate General Counsel, Head of Business and Legal Affairs for Ceremonies and Content. 

• →Steady stream of self-directed drafting, analysis and complex decision-making.  
• →Provide time-sensitive legal advice to the business teams during in-person strategy meetings. 
• →Negotiate terms, paper and review all varieties of legal documents and correspondence.  
• →Advise on event-related policies, processes and standard operating procedures. 
• →Manage communications and relationships with business and strategic partners. 
• →Supervise, monitor and assist in the career development of junior attorneys and/or paralegals. 
• →Review, understand and ensure alignment with foundational documents (Host City Contract and Operational Requirements, Olympic Charter, etc.). 
• →Manage outside counsel on matters requiring specialty support (e.g. music). 
• →Ensure compliance with applicable international, federal, state and local laws and regulations. 

• Minimum 7+ years of hands-on attorney experience in transactional entertainment, live events and/or production legal required. 
• Understanding of intellectual property law, corporate law and business contracting necessary. 
• Experience overseeing music clearances is desirable, but not required. 
• Marketing legal and/or government negotiations/interactions with government entities would be a bonus. 
• Proactive self-starter, quick-learner, hungry to take on unfamiliar assignments. 
• Outstanding time management skills and capability to manage heavy workloads and shifting priorities to meet tight deadlines. 
• Strong interpersonal skills, including the ability to communicate delicately, clearly and effectively with a variety of individuals. 
• Impeccable attention to detail.   
• Excellent judgment, capable of issue-spotting and providing alternative solutions in real time, knowing when to escalate concerns. 
• Able to make sense of complicated and sometimes contradictory information to effectively solve problems. 
• Positive team-player, with a respectful and collaborative attitude. 
• High level of personal integrity, professional ethics and reliability. 
• Prior law firm and/or in-house entertainment experience (experience in both is strongly preferred). 

While experience in these areas is nice to have, 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. 

• Local candidates preferred. 
• 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.  

An application must be accompanied by the following: 

• A cover letter (optional, but strongly preferred) which indicates the position of interest and addresses the following: 
  • The highlights of your experience which specifically prepare you for this position, including live events, production, intellectual property law, and/or activations background; 
  • How you would uniquely contribute to LA28’s vision. 

• A resume. 

The annual base salary range for this position is $160,000-$175,000. 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.

• Juris Doctor Degree from an ABA accredited law school. 
• Undergraduate degree from an accredited university. 
• License to practice law, be in good standing with the California State Bar and have the ability to practice law in California.