Associate - Interactive Entertainment

The firm is a dynamic, multifaceted law firm that provides a wide range of legal services to a creative and entrepreneurial client base. We partner with the big and the small, from cutting edge startups to global corporations, early-stage entrepreneurs to established industry leaders, and household names to private individuals and their family offices. We are renowned for our sector specialisms which we combine with expertise across all the traditional practice areas to provide our clients with tailored solutions that truly add value. We offer a collegiate, vibrant and supportive environment, a clear path for career progression and a strong platform from which to learn and grow. We look for high-performing, committed and innovative people who aren’t afraid to push themselves to be the best they can be. We take an active role in helping our people be at the top of their game. We believe our people make us stand out and we empower them to meet their ambitions. We invest time in developing their skills and knowledge and run a number of development and training programmes throughout the year, as well as encouraging and supporting personal involvement in other areas of expertise.

We have been advising video games clients since the days of the 8-bit console and are recognised as one of the leading firms in this space. We are known for our high-quality legal advice, sector expertise and ability to identify and interpret market trends quickly and effectively. We advise on transactions and financing arrangements, such as development and publishing agreements, distribution and other licensing agreements, console, PC and mobile platform arrangements, tax credit financing arrangements and outsourcing agreements. We are also highly experienced advising on regulatory and compliance issues, including data protection and privacy, consumer protection, application of gambling laws, the regulation of virtual currency, EULAs, website terms of use, competition terms and conditions, privacy policies and classifications, ratings and censorship. Our wider expertise throughout the media and entertainment industries allows us to support and advise on cross-media projects, helping to bridge the gap between games, TV, film, music, content creation, esports and other entertainment businesses. Our clients span the full spectrum of the sector and include multi-national publishers, small and large studios, console, PC and mobile games financiers, AR and VR businesses, online platforms, esports businesses, middleware and software providers, localisation companies, trade publishers, industry trade bodies and leading industry figures. We keep abreast of developments in this space and have close ties with UKIE - the UK's interactive entertainment industry trade body, who we partnered with to prepare an overview of the sources of finance available to UK games businesses as well as drafting a suite of standard contracts that can be used by UKIE's studio members. Our lawyers are avid followers of the industry, regularly attending industry events and delivering presentations on current topics of interest.

We are seeking a confident and personable associate of 3 to 4 years PQE to join our Interactive Entertainment Group. Interactive Entertainment is a core focus area for the firm, which has had a Tier 1 practice in this area for over a decade. The main focus of the role will be on drafting and negotiating contracts, and advising on regulatory matters relevant to the sector. The role will involve working with a broad range of clients, including global video game publishers, indie studios, rights owners, start-ups and entrepreneurs, esports organisations and content creators. The successful candidate must, first and foremost, have a strong grounding in contract drafting and negotiation, with a high attention to detail. Enthusiasm for the Interactive Entertainment industry is also essential. Familiarity with some or all of the following areas would be considered an additional strength, but are not pre-requisites: a broad understanding of how video games are developed, published and commercially exploited; an understanding of the basics of intellectual property law and regulatory issues affecting the industry (such as online safety, loot boxes, and consumer protection issues).

The role will provide opportunities for business development to help continue to grow our leading Interactive Entertainment practice. The successful candidate should be willing to get involved in this. We are seeking the right person to provide excellent quality legal advice delivered in a pragmatic and commercial manner, free from jargon. It is key that we find a team player who is prepared to undertake both tasks that stretch the candidate and tasks that are less demanding but nevertheless important to getting the job done. The role will involve working directly with partners and also with other lawyers in the Group.

In addition, the successful candidate must:

• Be at ease with digital technology.
• Be able to manage multiple matters and prioritise and organise their workload accordingly.
• Take responsibility for tasks when appropriate but be able to follow direction competently and efficiently.
• Be able to think and act independently when required but know when to ask for help and take instructions.
• Adapt to a wide variety of tasks, depending on the nature of the matter or size of the team, and be willing to get involved with all aspects of a matter.
• Work independently and progress matters without constant supervision.
• "Pitch in" when working on larger matters and cases.
• Be confident and sociable when dealing directly with clients and colleagues.
• Buy in to the firm's culture and values.

Private practice and in-house lawyers with the requisite interests and experience should apply.