Fast Facts

Sourcebooks/Penguin Random House is seeking a proactive and business-minded attorney to join their legal team in Naperville, IL. This role involves providing legal counsel on intellectual property and commercial risks to support the publishing and business objectives of the company.

Responsibilities: Key responsibilities include conducting pre-publication reviews, counseling clients on intellectual property issues, analyzing legal matters, and drafting various contracts while providing strategic legal advice to business units.

Skills: Candidates should have exceptional writing and communication skills, strong analytical abilities, experience in-house or at a law firm, and familiarity with digital legal issues.

Qualifications: A J.D. from an ABA-accredited law school and admission to a U.S. State Bar, along with 3-6 years of relevant experience, are required.

Location: This position is located in Naperville, IL with in-office requirements 2-3 days per week.

Compensation: $130000 - $170000 / Annually

Sourcebooks/Penguin Random House is looking for a knowledgeable, proactive, business-minded and self-motivated attorney to join its legal team working with Sourcebooks based out of Naperville, Illinois. This position will interface directly with Sourcebooks’ publishing and business teams, counseling clients on various legal and commercial risks related to media, intellectual property and general business issues. The ideal candidate will assist the Legal team’s efforts to partner strategically with the company’s publishing and business units, acting as a general business and legal advisor and consulting resource to help facilitate the client’s publishing and business objectives.

This position will be in the office, in Naperville, 2-3 days per week. The salary range for this role is $130,000 to $170,000 (salary will commensurate with experience).

Key Responsibilities:

Conduct pre-publication review of non-fiction and fiction books and associated promotional materials
Counsel clients on intellectual property matters including copyright and trademark, and media-related matters including defamation, privacy, access and other First Amendment issues
Identify and analyze legal issues, help determine business terms and structure transactions, and provide advice to colleagues that balance business objectives and legal risks
Work on a variety of media related matters, including claims handling and litigation support
Assist in and ultimately work independently on the review, drafting and negotiation of a variety of contracts including licensing agreements, consulting agreements, vendor agreements, and technology agreements, as needed
Provide strategic, legal and business advice and counsel on tight timelines to business units and senior management on wide array of legal and business issues, including business risks, contract interpretation, and other issues
Assist in compliance efforts including providing training and presentations to business units as necessary
Support the Legal team in addressing new or special projects that arise with the evolving needs of the business

Requirements:

J.D. from a top A.B.A. accredited law school. Admitted and member in good standing with at least one U.S. State Bar
3-6 years of relevant in-house law department and/or law firm experience (in-house experience a plus)
Exceptional writing, drafting and communication skills
Highly analytical with exceptional business and legal issue identification, creativity and problem-solving skills
Practical, business-oriented and creative problem solver who can deliver clear, strategic advice to clients in a timely manner
Ability to operate autonomously while being a team player who brings a positive, “can do” attitude to the workplace and works collaboratively with other members of the Legal team and with clients
Results-oriented with excellent time management and work prioritization skills
Familiarity with digital technologies and related legal issues including intellectual property, data privacy and business models a plus
Must be flexible with the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously and operate in a faced paced entrepreneurial environment
Detail-oriented, organized, efficient and resourceful with strong follow-through skills
Excellent interpersonal skills & the ability to work effectively with employees at all levels and establish strong client relationships

Our culture demands driven, energetic thinkers who possess leadership qualities and the desire for aggressive personal growth. If you possess these qualities, we encourage you to apply.

Please send your resume and a cover letter outlining your experience and interest in the position. Only those including cover letters and salary requirements will be considered.

Full-time employees are eligible for our comprehensive benefits program. Our range of benefits include, but are not limited to, Medical/Prescription drug insurance, Dental, Vision, Health Care/Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account, Health Savings Account 401(k), Short and Long-Term Disability Insurance, Life/AD&D Insurance, & generous paid time off.

Sourcebooks values the array of talents and perspectives that a diverse workforce brings. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, national origin, religion, age, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, or protected veteran status.

As Newsweek’s #2 Most Loved Workplace in 2024 and a recognized leader in innovation by Fast Company (2024 Most Innovative Companies, 2023 Best Workplaces for Innovators), we use a mission-driven, data-centered approach to drive success for our authors and their books. We’re a thriving entrepreneurial company that creates books that transcend categories and defy odds, and we’ve been honored with hundreds of national bestsellers and awards. We are passionate book lovers dedicated to connecting books to readers in innovative ways. Story by story, book by book, we have changed more than 300 million lives. Join us as we change 300 million more.

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Attorney - Sourcebooks/Penguin Random House