Legal Counsel - Editorial & Media Specialist

Company Description

Salary: $130,000 - $150,000

Reach PLC is looking for an in-house Legal Counsel to join our growing US operations. As in-house Counsel you will provide fast paced legal advice to our Editorial teams, both pre and post publication, and be the first point of contact for advice and guidance surrounding advertising and co-branding campaigns that may relate to highly regulated or high risk industries. 

Reach Plc is the UK’s largest commercial news publisher. We’re home to more than 130 trusted brands, from national titles like the Mirror, Express, Daily Record and Daily Star, to local brands like MyLondon, BelfastLive and the Manchester Evening News.

Since the start of 2023, we have been building out our US operation, headquartered at 200 Liberty St, New York. We’ve launched three standalone brands in the Mirror US, Express US and the Irish Star, covering news, sport, entertainment, politics and lifestyle - all targeted at US audiences.

We’re now entering a period of rapid growth, and are looking to add ambitious and dynamic talent to our teams!

Job Description

As Legal Counsel your key responsibilities include ensuring that our editorial content complies with the law, providing pre-publication advice to our Editors and Reporters over potential legal and regulatory issues that may arise from gathering and publishing information. Additionally, you will also advise on and respond to legal and regulatory complaints post-publication, working closely with our UK Editorial Legal teams where needed.

Other responsibilities include:

• Advise and respond to rights of reply and threats of injunctive relief to prevent publication

• Provide advice and guidance regarding advertising and co-branding campaigns that appear on Reach’s websites including issues related to highly regulated industries

• Negotiate, draft and interpret various agreements and other legal documents relating to advertising sales, including programmatic and addressable ad sales arrangements

• Coordinate with other legal team members regarding data privacy/security issues in various agreements.

Location

This role is based in our New York office Monday - Friday. We are therefore open to candidates based in, or commutable, to New York.

Qualifications

You will ideally be a practising lawyer who is currently licensed to practice law in New York or alternatively be able to meet the requirements to register as in-house Counsel within the State.

You will be experienced in providing pre-publication advice, complaints handling and conducting litigation when required. Previous Media industry experience is preferred.

Knowledge and experience of key legal issues relating to advertising, ad tech and programmatic/addressable advertising is desirable but not required.

Importantly you will be able to demonstrate the following: 

• Ability to manage a high-volume workload efficiently and smoothly in a high-pressure, customer service driven environment

• Strong work ethic combined with a cooperative and collaborative team-oriented attitude

• High attention to detail and ability to work effectively under tight deadlines

Additional Information

As well as offering a competitive salary, benefits include:

• 15 days of paid time off on an accrual basis per year, plus statutory holidays and 5 sick days - If you work on a statutory holiday you will receive a day in lieu.

• 401k - Up to 3.5% employer contribution depending on your contribution

• Personal Medical Insurance

• Paid Leave for Maternity/Paternity/Adoption/ Caregiver/ Medical Leave

• Employee Discounts - Save on hotels, concerts, sport events and more!

• Access to FinFit via Paychex our HR system: Reduce financial stress with access to instant credit upon approval, tools to manage your money, and free financial counselling.

• As an Inclusive Employer everyone’s invited to join our events, programmes and networks to celebrate diversity and build an environment where all our people can thrive

• Wellbeing support - including a 24/7 employee assistance programme (EAP), dedicated Personal Assistants and Wellness programs

• Awesome career opportunities - you’ll have support from your line manager and a range of learning & development programmes

• We are also a member of the 30% Club, a global campaign aimed at increasing gender diversity at board and senior management levels

We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive sufficient applications for the role. Therefore, if you are interested please apply early to avoid disappointment.

All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.

Reach plc believes diversity brings benefits for our customers, our business and our people. This is why we are committed to being an inclusive employer and encourage applications from all suitable applicants irrespective of background, circumstances, age, disability, gender identity, ethnicity, religion or belief and sexual orientation.