Navigating the Path: Understanding Disney Law Internship Requirements

The Walt Disney Company, a leading diversified international family entertainment and media enterprise, offers various internship opportunities for aspiring legal professionals. These internships provide invaluable hands-on experience within a dynamic legal environment, exposing interns to the intersection of law and entertainment. This article delves into the requirements and opportunities associated with Disney law internships, drawing upon specific examples and program details.

Overview of Disney Legal Internships

Disney's legal internships are designed to provide practical experience in various legal domains, supporting the company's diverse business segments, including Disney Entertainment, ESPN, and Disney Experiences. These internships offer a unique opportunity to work alongside world-class leaders, contributing to strategies that keep The Walt Disney Company at the leading edge of entertainment. Interns are often integrated into corporate teams, gaining exposure to the businesses behind Disney's powerful brands.

Key Internship Programs and Roles

Disney Entertainment Television Legal Affairs Internship

This full-time internship, typically running from June through August, offers hands-on legal experience in connection with groundbreaking scripted and unscripted series, ABC News, Disney+ and Hulu, as well as the Networks Team and Owned Television Station Group. Interns support a dynamic legal team across development, production, marketing, and promotion of television content.

Responsibilities:

Drafting producing, acting, writing and development agreements.
Assignments in pre-publication vetting.
Newsgathering.
Compliance matters.
Technology support.
Attending production legal kickoff calls, department meetings, and marketing task force meetings.

This internship exposes individuals to legal teams that support television production and strategy across various linear, streaming, and digital platforms, making it an ideal launchpad for a legal career in media and entertainment.

Disneyland Resort Legal Internship

Located at Disneyland Resort, this internship supports the legal team that handles legal, regulatory, and compliance matters for the Resort's two theme parks and three hotels. The role offers hands-on exposure to a dynamic legal environment and the opportunity to collaborate closely with attorneys, paralegals, directors, and other professionals across the Disneyland Resort Legal team. The Legal Intern will also work closely with the Disneyland Resort Risk Management and Environmental Affairs team. By working closely with all three teams, the intern will gain valuable insight into how legal, risk, and environmental and regulatory considerations intersect within a large and complex organization.

Responsibilities:

Drafting agreements.
Collaborating with claims and risk teams.
Learning about regulatory compliance.
Attending meetings.
Shadowing staff.

Lucasfilm Business Affairs Legal Internship

This internship, offered at Lucasfilm in San Francisco, CA, provides an opportunity to work with one of the world's leading entertainment service companies. Lucasfilm, acquired by The Walt Disney Company in December 2012, is known for its legendary Star Wars and Indiana Jones franchises.

Responsibilities:

Assisting attorneys in the preparation of legal contracts and documents.
Routing and tracking a variety of documents for internal review and approval.
Assisting in the review of clearance materials.
Conducting legal research projects.
Maintaining the filing system.

Basic Qualifications:

Strong written and verbal skills.
Proven ability to take initiative and manage multiple projects.
Ability to work independently and as a team player.
High degree of discretion in regards to sensitive and/or confidential information.

Marvel Studios Business & Legal Affairs JD Internship

This remote internship offers hands-on legal experience with Marvel Studios, LLC. As a Business & Legal Affairs Intern, individuals collaborate directly with Marvel’s in-house attorneys on cutting-edge entertainment, corporate, and intellectual property matters.

Responsibilities:

Helping to prepare talent deals across feature films, streaming shows, and animated productions.
Drafting above-the-line and below-the-line agreements for feature films, streaming series, and animated productions.
Analyzing various intellectual property rights, matters and clearance issues involving Marvel assets.

General Requirements and Qualifications

While specific requirements may vary depending on the internship program, some general qualifications are typically expected:

Education: Enrollment in an accredited law school, typically pursuing a Juris Doctor (JD) degree. Completion of one or more years of law school is often preferred.
Coursework: Completion of contracts coursework is often required. Completion of coursework in entertainment, copyright, and/or intellectual property law is highly preferred.
Skills: Strong written and verbal communication skills are essential. Excellent analytical, research, and interpersonal skills are also necessary.
Experience: Prior internship experience at a film or entertainment company or law firm is advantageous.
Technical Skills: Proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, and Visio is often preferred.
Eligibility: Must be at least 18 years of age and possess unrestricted work authorization.
Additional Requirements: Interns must adhere to Disney's policies regarding confidentiality and discretion. They must also provide their own housing and transportation to/from work, unless the position is remote.

Additional Information

Equal Opportunity Employer: The Walt Disney Company is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes all job seekers, including individuals with disabilities and veterans with disabilities.
Reasonable Accommodations: If an applicant has a disability and believes they need a reasonable accommodation to search for a job opening or apply for a position, they can visit the Disney candidate disability accommodations FAQs.

The Value of a Disney Law Internship

A Disney law internship offers numerous benefits for aspiring legal professionals:

Hands-on Experience: Interns gain practical experience in drafting agreements, conducting legal research, and working on real-world legal matters.
Networking Opportunities: Interns have the opportunity to collaborate with attorneys, paralegals, and other professionals in the entertainment industry.
Exposure to Different Legal Areas: Interns can gain exposure to various legal areas, including entertainment law, intellectual property law, corporate law, and compliance.
Career Advancement: A Disney law internship can enhance a student's resume and increase their chances of securing future employment in the legal field.

Read also: Disney Internship Details

Read also: Benefits of Disney Internships

tags: #disney #law #internship #requirements