IP & Brand Licensing Legal Counsel

Associate Legal Counsel – Intellectual Property & Brand Licensing

Location: New York, NY

Department: Legal & Business Affairs

Reports To: CEO

About White Space Group

White Space Group ("WSG") is a global brand management company focused on acquiring, developing, and scaling culturally relevant consumer brands through strategic licensing, partnerships, retail expansion, and direct operating businesses.

Our portfolio spans fashion, footwear, accessories, beauty, home, and lifestyle, with an international network of licensees, distributors, retailers, and operating partners across more than 100 countries.

As our portfolio continues to grow through acquisitions and strategic partnerships, we are seeking an Associate Legal Counsel with 3–5 years of commercial and intellectual property experience to join our Legal & Business Affairs team.

This role will serve as a key legal partner to the business, supporting global licensing transactions, intellectual property management, commercial agreements, brand acquisitions, and international expansion initiatives.

Position Summary

The Associate Legal Counsel will provide practical, business-focused legal advice across all aspects of WSG's global licensing and brand management platform. The ideal candidate combines strong contract drafting skills with a commercial mindset and enjoys working in a fast-paced entrepreneurial environment.

This position offers broad exposure to intellectual property, licensing, mergers and acquisitions, international distribution, e-commerce, retail partnerships, marketing, and corporate governance.

Key Responsibilities

Intellectual Property

• Manage portions of WSG's global trademark portfolio, including domestic and international filings, renewals, oppositions, and enforcement matters.
• Coordinate with outside intellectual property counsel worldwide.
• Review trademark clearance searches and provide practical risk assessments.
• Assist with copyright, domain name, customs, and anti-counterfeiting matters.
• Maintain intellectual property databases and monitor critical filing deadlines.
• Support IP due diligence for acquisitions and strategic transactions.

Licensing & Commercial Transactions

Draft, review, negotiate, and administer a wide variety of commercial agreements, including:

• Domestic and international licensing agreements
• Distribution agreements
• Agency agreements
• Manufacturing and sourcing agreements
• Collaboration and co-branding agreements
• Retail partnership agreements
• Marketplace and e-commerce agreements
• Confidentiality agreements
• Vendor and consulting agreements
• Marketing and promotional agreements
• Settlement agreements
• Amendments, renewals, side letters, and term sheets

Provide legal guidance throughout the contract lifecycle from negotiation through execution and ongoing compliance.

Brand Management & Business Support

• Advise licensing, business development, marketing, finance, creative, and executive teams on contractual rights and obligations.
• Interpret licensing agreements and provide day-to-day legal guidance to internal stakeholders.
• Review proposed retail distribution, collaborations, promotional campaigns, and product launches for contractual compliance.
• Support international expansion initiatives across new territories and product categories.
• Assist in developing and implementing legal best practices, policies, and standardized contract templates.

Corporate & Mergers & Acquisitions

Support strategic transactions including

• Intellectual property acquisitions
• Asset purchase transactions
• Brand acquisitions
• Due diligence reviews
• Transition Services Agreements (TSAs)
• Disclosure schedules
• Closing documentation
• Corporate governance matters
• Integration of newly acquired brands

Risk Management & Compliance

• Identify legal and commercial risks associated with licensing programs and commercial transactions.
• Conduct legal research on intellectual property, advertising, consumer products, privacy, and international trade matters.
• Monitor developments in applicable laws and regulations impacting the business.
• Assist with dispute resolution, settlement negotiations, and pre-litigation matters as needed.

Legal Operations

• Manage contract databases and legal document repositories.
• Track key contractual milestones, renewal dates, royalty obligations, and compliance requirements.
• Coordinate with outside counsel across multiple jurisdictions.
• Prepare legal memoranda, executive summaries, and board materials.
• Support implementation of legal technology and contract management processes.

Qualifications

• Juris Doctor (J.D.) from an accredited law school.
• Admission to the New York Bar (or another U.S. jurisdiction with ability to become admitted in New York).
• 3–5 years of legal experience in a law firm and/or in-house legal department.
• Experience drafting and negotiating sophisticated commercial agreements.
• Working knowledge of trademark law and intellectual property licensing.
• Strong contract drafting, negotiation, and analytical skills.
• Excellent organizational and project management abilities.
• Ability to prioritize multiple matters in a fast-paced, entrepreneurial environment.
• Strong communication skills with the ability to translate legal issues into practical business advice.

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