Media and Entertainment Finance Associates (Multi City)

DLA Piper is, at its core, bold, exceptional, collaborative and supportive.  Our people are the backbone, heart and soul of our firm.  Wherever you are in your professional journey, DLA Piper is a place you can engage in meaningful work and grow your career.  Let’s see what we can achieve. Together. Summary DLA Piper is seeking an experienced mid-level finance associate with a strong interest in the media & entertainment industry to join its Sports, Media & Entertainment group in our Los Angeles or New York office.  This is an exciting opportunity to join a cutting-edge and expanding practice that represents many notable clients across the music, film, TV, sports and entertainment industries, including global entertainment, music and media companies, banks, asset managers, financial institutions and private credit funds, as well as media business entrepreneurs in market-leading senior, junior, mezzanine and structured debt and equity financings. Minimum Education JD Degree from an accredited law school. Certifications Admitted to practice in the state in which they are officing. Minimum Years of Experience 4+ years of debt finance experience at a law firm.  Experience representing agents, lenders, borrowers, issuers and other parties to senior, junior and structured/ABS debt financing transactions.  Strong drafting and negotiating experience in connection with secured lending  - experience with music, film and TV and/or other media financing structures is a plus. Experience with private credit and/or ABS/structured financing transactions would be preferred.  Essential Functions & Responsibilities Legal Research and Analysis: Conduct thorough legal research and analysis to support client matters, legal strategy, and decision-making. Legal Writing and Drafting: Prepare clear, accurate, and well-reasoned legal documents, correspondence, memoranda, and other work product. Client Service and Relationship Management: Build and maintain strong internal and external client relationships by delivering responsive, practical, and high-quality legal services. Collaboration: Work collaboratively with lawyers and business professionals across practices and offices to support client objectives and achieve favorable outcomes. Professional Judgment: Exercise sound professional judgment, identify legal and business risks, and develop practical solutions to complex issues. Compliance and Ethics: Ensure compliance with applicable legal, regulatory, ethical, and professional standards. Professional Development: Participate in ongoing training and development to enhance legal, business, leadership, and technology skills. Firm Citizenship and Community Engagement: Contribute to firm initiatives, professional organizations, community service activities, and pro bono programs. Manage and support complex domestic and cross-border corporate, finance, real estate, tax, employment, and other transactional matters from inception through closing and post-closing activities. Conduct legal due diligence, analyze findings, identify risks, and develop practical recommendations for clients. Draft, review, negotiate, and revise contracts, transaction documents, disclosure schedules, and ancillary agreements. Structure transactions and provide strategic advice regarding legal, regulatory, business, and operational considerations. Support deal execution, including managing timelines, coordinating workstreams, and facilitating communication among transaction parties. Participate in negotiations with clients, counterparties, lenders, investors, regulators, and other stakeholders. Coordinate and manage transaction closings, including closing documentation, signatures, funds flow, and post-closing obligations. Analyze and advise on applicable regulatory requirements, governance matters, and compliance considerations affecting transactions. Collaborate with multidisciplinary legal teams and business professionals to deliver integrated solutions that support client objectives and successful transaction outcomes. Desired Skills Knowledge of substantive debt finance, entertainment and copyright law Experience with the acquisition and/or acquisition financing of media and entertainment assets, including music catalogues, film libraries and other pools of media content Substantive transactional experience relating to the music, film/TV, sports/media industries preferred Strong analytical and writing skills  Attention to detail  Good business judgment  Excellent organizational skills  Ability to work collaboratively and independently  Demonstrated oral and written communication skills  Research and problem-solving skills  Conceptual thinking  Ability to influence others  Persuasive communication  Management skills  Essential Job Expectations While the specific job requirements of a DLA Piper position may vary depending upon scope of the job and area of specialty, there are certain universal requirements that are expected of all DLA Piper employees, which include but are not limited to: Effectively communicate, verbally and in writing, with clients, lawyers, business professionals, and third parties; Produce deliverables, answer phone calls, and reply to correspondence in an efficient and responsive manner; Provide timely, accurate, and quality work product; Successfully meet deadlines, expectations, and perform work duties as required; Foster positive work relationships; Comply with all firm policies and practices; Engage in both physical and sedentary activity, such as (a) working at a computer for extended periods of time, including on-screen reading and typing; (b) participating in digital/virtual conference calls; (c) participating in meetings as needed; Ability to work under pressure and manage competing demands in a fast-paced environment; Perform all other duties, tasks or projects as assigned. Our employees are expected to embrace and uphold our firm values