AddressAn exciting opportunity to join Australia’s only national non-profit law firm dedicated to advising Australia’s authors and illustrators.
About Authors Legal
Authors Legal is a non-profit boutique law firm established in 2022 as a wholly owned subsidiary of the registered charity, The Australian Society of Authors (ASA).
We are unique. Authors Legal is Australia’s only national non-profit law firm dedicated to providing bespoke, specialist, low-cost legal advice to Australia’s authors and illustrators. We help individual creators understand their rights, negotiate their deals and communicate their legal issues and concerns.
We are growing. We are thrilled to be expanding our team with this new role.
About the role
We are recruiting a part-time (3 day) commercial lawyer on an initial 12 month contract.
Working closely with our Managing Lawyer, your role will involve:
- providing pragmatic and astute legal advice to authors and illustrators on their publishing industry contracts (both pre-signing and occasional contract dispute work) including trade and educational publishing agreements, commissioned work agreements, ghostwriter agreements, literary agency and representation agreements and all aspects of copyright, defamation, contract, consumer and creator rights;
- providing legal and industry assistance to the ASA including on ASA template agreements, industry recommendations and advice;
- assisting in drafting policy submissions, advice and articles on national issues facing Australian authors and illustrators, including the adoption of and Government response to the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in the creative industries.
About you
The ideal candidate will have:
- at least 3 years PQE with proven knowledge and expertise in drafting and negotiating commercial contracts.
- in-depth knowledge of the Copyright Act and experience negotiating intellectual property deals and licensing arrangements, ideally in the creative industries
- Exemplary written and verbal communication and the ability to turn complex legal issues into practical and digestible legal advice.
Experience advising in the publishing industry would be highly regarded (although not essential).
Culture and Benefits
We offer professional growth, flexibility and support. Working within the ASA office in the creative hub of Ultimo, you will be an integral part of the ASA’s small team and the services provided to its 4000+ members across Australia. Your clients will comprise a mix of debut, emerging, established and bestselling authors and illustrators.
The role is office-based on Mondays and Tuesday, with the option of WFH across a third day (or multiple shorter days if preferred).
The salary range is $90,000 - $100,000 plus super (pro rata 3 days), commensurate with experience, plus 6 weeks paid leave.
How to apply
If you have a passion for the creative industries and a desire to work at the forefront of Australian publishing law, we would love to hear from you. Please send your CV along with a cover letter outlining your suitability to our Managing Lawyer, ********@authorslegal.org.
Applications close Wednesday 26 June. We are looking to fill the position as soon as possible, so will consider applications as they are received. We will be in touch with shortlisted applicants no later than three weeks of the closing date.
Authors Legal is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to creating a diverse, inclusive and equitable workplace and welcome applications from people with diverse backgrounds and experience, including Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander persons.
A note to recruitment agencies: we do not accept unsolicited agency resumes and we are not responsible for any fees related to unsolicited resumes.
