Associate Counsel

The National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) is the top professional women's soccer league in the USA, with 14 teams and +300 of the best soccer players in the world. In its 12th season, the league continues to grow exponentially, with 2024 attendance topping 2 million fans for the first time- the third straight year the league surpassed 1 million in total attendance. Viewership across all broadcast media partners - Amazon, CBS, ESPN and Scripps - was up 285% year over year, and team valuations continue to soar. This growth underscores the league's expanding fan base and growing presence in both the sports media landscape and in pop culture. The future of the NWSL has never looked brighter.

The National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) is experiencing extraordinary growth, revolutionizing the sports landscape and redefining the reach of women's sports. With expansion into new markets, record-breaking attendance, and unprecedented viewership, NWSL is poised for even greater commercial success. The National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) is growing to meet the demands of a rapidly evolving global sports landscape. As we continue to expand and elevate the profile of professional women's soccer in the United States, we are seeking an Associate Counsel to join our Legal team. This individual will provide day-to-day legal support across a broad range of matters and collaborate closely with internal departments and external stakeholders.

Position Description

The ideal candidate is detail-oriented, collaborative, and proactive, with the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment. This is an excellent opportunity for a motivated attorney to gain experience in a dynamic legal and business setting while contributing to the continued success and integrity of the League.

Primary Responsibilities

• Support the VP, Legal in drafting, reviewing, and negotiating a variety of commercial agreements, including sponsorship, media, licensing, vendor, consulting, and non-disclosure agreements.
• Conduct legal research and assist with issues related to intellectual property, including trademark and copyright management.
• Support data privacy and compliance initiatives by advising on data collection practices and relevant regulations.
• Contribute to the development, review, and interpretation of League policies, rules, and procedures.
• Assist with insurance, risk management, and compliance-related matters as needed.
• Provide legal support on League governance matters, including board meetings, ownership transactions, and expansion initiatives.
• Help improve internal legal workflows and processes, including contract templates and knowledge management tools.
• Participate in cross-functional projects and provide general legal support as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

• Juris Doctor (JD) from an ABA-accredited law school and admission to at least one U.S. state bar.
• 2-4 years of relevant experience in a law firm and/or in-house legal department, ideally with experience in sports, entertainment, media, or general commercial matters.
• Strong legal drafting and communication skills, with a practical and solution-oriented approach to legal issues.
• Excellent organizational skills and the ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines with accuracy and efficiency.
• A team player with a collaborative mindset and strong interpersonal skills.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office and Google Workspace applications (e.g., Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Gmail, Google Docs).
• Willingness to work nontraditional hours, including evenings and weekends, as needed.
• High degree of professionalism, integrity, and discretion in handling confidential information.

Salary: $85,000.00 - $115,000.00

NWSL observes a hybrid work schedule of three working days in the physical office and two remote working days.

NWSL salaries are contingent upon candidates' qualifications, functional business needs, and market financials.

NWSL is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. All employment decisions, including the recruiting, hiring, placement, training availability, promotion, compensation, evaluation, disciplinary actions, and termination of employment (if necessary) are made without regard to the employee's race, color, creed, religion, sex, pregnancy or childbirth, personal appearance, family responsibilities, sexual orientation or preference, gender identity, political affiliation, source of income, place of residence, national or ethnic origin, ancestry, age, marital status, military veteran status, unfavorable discharge from military service, physical or mental disability, or on any other basis prohibited by applicable law.

Salary

• $85,000 - $115,000/per base