Womens Professional Soccer (WPS) is the premiere womens professional soccer league in the world today. Comprised of teams in major markets across the United States, and the top women players from around the world, WPS launched its inaugural season in Spring 2009. We are looking for an experienced attorney with exceptional legal skills and strong leadership skills to head the WPS legal team at the league office in San Francisco. As General Counsel, the ideal candidate will be able to provide counsel on a broad range of critical legal matters in a fast-paced start-up environment. The General Counsel will direct all legal services for the league, and report directly to the Commissioner.
Functional Description
Provide strategic legal advice and support to the Commissioner, the Board of Governors, and league executives, including in the following wide range of areas:
Corporate matters and governance issues, including amendment of governing documents and management of Board meeting and resolution processes;
Player issues, including player contracts, player transfer rules, and player discipline;
Expansion and investment matters, including league and team ownership qualification and admission;
Business practices compliance, including competition/anti-trust considerations and registrations/filings;
Negotiation of principal league agreements;
Intellectual property enforcement, including policing infringements of League trademarks and copyrighted material or broadcasts;
Employment practices and human resources policies;
Dispute resolution and litigation avoidance/management;
CFO support, including providing corporate and legal information and advice for tax, payroll, and budgetary purposes;
Supervision of all attorneys working for the league including any Associate Counsel, independent contractors, law clerks, and outside counsel.
Qualifications/Skills:
Full-time attorney, California bar membership preferred;
12 or more years of practice (highly qualified candidates with less years of experience may be considered);
Professional sports industry experience;
Experience with a leading law firm preferred;
Strong oral presentation skills and ability to communicate effectively with owners, governors, partners, and senior executives;
Excellent judgment;
Business-focused, results-oriented approach utilizing strategic business judgment and the ability to work closely with a diverse group of individuals and organizations, including U.S. and global sports governance organizations and business sponsors and partners;
Significant experience negotiating and drafting commercial agreements;
Proactive, flexible, resourceful, and the ability to manage demanding deadlines.
This position opens January 1, 2010. If you are looking to play a key role in a dynamic and challenging professional sports start-up environment, we look forward to hearing from you. Please submit your resume and cover letter via email. Serious applicants only, please.
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