CREATIVITY IS OUR SUPERPOWER.
It’s our heritage and it’s also our future. Because we don’t just make toys. We create innovative products and experiences that inspire, entertain and develop children through play. Mattel is at its best when every member of our team feels respected, included, and heard—when everyone can show up as themselves and do their best work every day. We value and share an infinite range of ideas and voices that evolve and broaden our perspectives with a reach that extends into all our brands, partners, and suppliers.
The Team:
We have an exciting opportunity to join our Law Department, where we embrace Mattel’s values and goals by providing thoughtful and timely advice to Mattel business functions around the world. We strive to find creative, practical solutions that prudently manage risk and contribute to Mattel’s success, and we practice law in accordance with the highest standards of integrity and ethics.
The Opportunity:
We’re seeking a motivated and dedicated attorney, with first-rate lawyering and practice management skills, to join the Media, Marketing & Digital practice within the Legal & Business Affairs section of our Law Department. Our Media, Marketing & Digital legal team plays a critical, valued role supporting varied IP-centric transactions for Mattel’s brand, media, and digital groups, which are responsible for the global marketing of Mattel brands and products. This full-time position is located at Mattel’s headquarters in El Segundo, CA, and it will evolve as Mattel’s needs evolve.
What Your Impact Will Be:
Provide thoughtful, strategic, and proactive legal and business advice on a wide range of IP-centric deals, including deals relating to: (a) marketing and digital/traditional brand activations, (b) design, strategy, consulting, PR, and other services including independent contractor and agency engagements, (c) personal and corporate sponsorships and endorsements, (d) corporate staffing, and (e) trade shows. Depending on experience, opportunity to provide deal support for influencer engagements, digital gaming, and connected products.
Promote work efficiencies and appropriately manage legal exposure by improving existing practices and forms without losing sight of business objectives, risks, and practicalities.
Identify issues early, and then creatively solve them.
Cultivate the trust and confidence of a broad set of internal clients.
Proactively manage expectations of clients, business partners, supervisors, and staff.
Skillfully juggle constantly changing priorities and sometimes conflicting client objectives, while always looking out for Mattel’s best interests.
What We’re Looking For:
Substantive Experience:
Substantial experience structuring, drafting, negotiating, and managing a range of IP-based transactions.
Track record of: (a) client and service-oriented success; (b) building client and opposing counsel relationships; and (c) establishing and improving processes in the face of limited internal resources.
Partner to Senior Management. Cultivate the trust and confidence of, and be an effective partner to, executives and other clients.
Balanced Approach. Provide legal and business advice that’s appropriately risk-balanced. Manage deals with relevant 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 and conflicting priorities
Strategic Thinker. Provide thoughtful, strategic legal and business advice in managing deals, conflicts, and projects.
Leadership Ability. Excel, and inspire co-workers and staff to excel, in a culture that fosters and demands accountability, speed, trust, and ethical conduct.
Issue and Stakeholder Management. Identify issues and relevant Mattel stakeholders early – and then creatively solve those issues and work constructively with those stakeholders.
Curiosity and Growth. Be intellectually curious and eager to grow and develop. Be humble; recognize that you must continue to “learn on the job” and be receptive to constructive feedback; and elevate issues that are beyond your knowledge or comfort zone.
Willingness to develop expertise in other areas in order to meet the needs of a dynamic business and evolving Law Department.
Engaged Practice Management. Proactively manage, deals, issues, and administrative functions across far-flung zones and multiple sub-practice areas. Skillfully juggle constantly changing priorities and sometimes conflicting objectives.
Excellent Work Product and Work Ethic. Write and present in a concise, lucid manner – in emails, letters, contracts, and presentations. Ability and desire to work and thrive in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.
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.
Education and Professional Experience:
JD from an accredited law school and strong academic credentials.
At least 3+ years of meaningful experience managing IP-centric transactions, including law firm experience with a nationally recognized law firm.
In-house experience strongly preferred.
Bar Admission in California strongly preferred.
