Simplify Logo
DreamWorks Animation

DreamWorks Animation

Produces animated films and TV series

Associate Counsel - Intellectual Property

Full-Time
$100k - $170k/yr

+ Bonus + Long-term Incentive

Mid
JD
North Hollywood, Los Angeles, CA, USA
Hybrid

Hybrid role requiring four days per week on-site at Universal City, California.

About the job

Requirements
  • 2+ years of experience for Associate Counsel/4+ years for Counsel in the trademark or intellectual property field, either at a law firm or comparable corporate setting
  • JD or LLM degree from an accredited law school
  • Must be a member in good standing of the California State Bar, or a member in good standing of another U.S. State Bar eligible to register as in-house counsel in California
Responsibilities
  • Advise and collaborate with members of the creative, business, and legal divisions as well as cross-functional teams on trademark, copyright, domain name, and related IP matters, including innovative products and services, global brand launches, high-profile productions, and the exercise of rights in cutting-edge, technologically sophisticated use cases
  • Responsible for clearance of trademarks, titles, character names, and other nomenclature and assets for client businesses and strategic initiatives
  • Communicate effectively with stakeholders on complex, multi-layered issues requiring immediate decisions
  • Assist with prosecution and enforcement of trademarks and other IP assets, both domestically and internationally
  • Analyze development, production, and distribution agreements, and efficiently navigate multiple electronic databases, to provide advice regarding copyright and production rights on current and library properties
  • Conduct due diligence and advise on IP-related contractual terms for a variety of transactions, including licenses, mergers, acquisitions, and joint ventures
  • Collaborate with IP colleagues across regions to support the brand protection and enforcement of NBCUniversal brands worldwide
  • Work closely with the greater IP department to advance and strengthen the company’s intellectual property strategy
Desired Qualifications
  • Outstanding academic credentials
  • Highly motivated self-starter who takes initiative, with a keen intellectual curiosity, aptitude for identifying and analyzing complex legal issues, and strong track record of successful project management and execution
  • Excellent communication (oral and written) and interpersonal skills, including the ability to develop strong relationships with multiple business units and their representatives and communicate clearly, concisely, and professionally in both written and oral context
  • Excellent organizational skills with the ability to handle a large workload and meet deadlines under pressure, multitask, juggle many projects covering diverse subject matter, and adapt to changing priorities in a fast-paced environment
  • Sound, practical business judgment; able to manage multiple wide-ranging matters and changing priorities, conflicting deadlines, and new areas of expertise as business needs change
  • Excellent technological literacy with the ability to quickly master new applications and work with unique, proprietary electronic databases
  • Experience in the entertainment industry preferred

About the company

DreamWorks Animation produces animated films and television shows for family and children audiences, creating stories and characters that appeal to multiple generations. Its products are brought to life through a full animation pipeline, including in-house technology like the Moonray rendering platform, and a studio ecosystem that supports development from concept to release. Work combines artistry and engineering to deliver feature films, TV series, and related experiences, with revenue coming from box office, licensing, merchandise, and partnerships with streaming services. The company differentiates itself with its proprietary animation technology, a large creative talent pool at its Glendale campus, and a track record of popular franchises such as How to Train Your Dragon, along with award-winning storytelling. Its goal is to produce high-quality, engaging animated content and advance animation technology while expanding its franchises across theaters, TV, and digital platforms.

Company Size

1,001-5,000

Company Stage

Acquired

Total Funding

$15M

Headquarters

Glendale, California

Founded

1994

Get referred to DreamWorks Animation

See people who can refer or advise you

Simplify Jobs

Simplify's Take

What believers are saying

  • Forgotten Island opens September 25, 2026, extending DreamWorks' theatrical pipeline.
  • Gabby's Dollhouse: The Movie and The Bad Guys 2 broaden franchise monetization.
  • Remote workers ratified a first union contract on August 21, 2026.

What critics are saying

  • DreamWorks laid off 70 workers in January 2026 after 33 cuts in May 2025.
  • Rising production costs and mixed-production shifts threaten Glendale headcount through 2026.
  • If Forgotten Island underperforms, Comcast's animation slate loses a theatrical anchor.

What makes DreamWorks Animation unique

  • Universal distributes DreamWorks films, preserving theatrical scale and Peacock streaming reach.
  • Shrek, Kung Fu Panda, and The Bad Guys keep monetizing across generations.
  • California granted DreamWorks $24.7 million for an untitled feature in April 2026.

Help us improve and share your feedback! Did you find this helpful?

Benefits

Health Insurance

Dental Insurance

Vision Insurance

401(k) Retirement Plan

Tuition Reimbursement

Growth & Insights and Company News

Headcount

6 month growth

-11%

1 year growth

-11%

2 year growth

-11%
The Mary Sue
Mar 28th, 2024
Universal Studios Invites Fans To Embrace Their Inner Viking in 'How To Train Your Dragon' Land

Dreamworks Animation released the first HTTYD animated film in 2010, spawning a three-movie franchise, multiple TV series, video games, comics, and arena shows.

Business Insider
Mar 26th, 2024
Panda London Unveils Kung Fu Panda 4 Collaboration to Promote Restful Sleep

In an exciting blend of comfort and adventure, Panda London, the acclaimed luxury homeware brand celebrated for its sustainable bamboo products, announces its collaboration with DreamWorks Animation.

Retail TouchPoints
Mar 14th, 2024
Michaels Launches Birthday Parties, Enhances In-Person and Virtual Events

Michaels launches Birthday Parties, enhances in-person and virtual events.

Yahoo
Mar 6th, 2024
Burger King Has a New Dessert Made with Our Favorite Cookie

Burger King has teamed up with DreamWorks Animation and Universal Pictures for the upcoming "Kung Fu Panda 4" release to create a new sweet treat: Po's Panda Sundae.

World Wildlife Fund
Mar 5th, 2024
DreamWorks and WWF Team Up for Wildlife Conservation with Kung Fu Panda 4

In celebration of the newest film in the action-comedy franchise, Kung Fu Panda 4, WWF has teamed up with DreamWorks Animation to raise awareness about the plight of wildlife.