Terri James

About Terri James

Intellectually-curious entertainment business and legal affairs executive who works with the diligence of a line producer, vision of a creator, and zeal of a fan. Business-minded legal advisor who enjoys balancing multiple, competing projects in high pressure environments and working collaboratively with partners to find innovative avenues to the legal \"yes.\"

Experience

1. VP, Legal

   Warner Bros. Discovery

   Apr 2019 — Present · Culver City, CA, US

   Project Attorney for HBO and HBO Max.Legal lead for numerous high-profile domestic and international scripted and unscripted HBO and HBO Max productions, including \"Scenes From a Marriage,\"\"The Rehearsal,\"\"Rap Sh!t,\"\"Love & Death,\"\"The Regime,\"\"Knight of the Seven Kingdoms,\" and \"House of the Dragon.\" Conduct chain-of-title analysis and negotiate a wide range of agreements, including for rights, writers, overall/first look deals, on-camera talent, and directors. Team Leadership, Operations, and Training.Manage and mentor team of production counsel handling physical production and post-production agreements. Spearhead template updates for production company services, talent, and VFX agreements. Collaborate on cross-functional teams regarding content security and use of generative AI tools. Settlement Negotiation.Negotiate settlements of small claims. Oversee external litigation counsel regarding on-going claims. Heritage Auctions Legal Lead.Negotiated agreement for Heritage Auctions to oversee HBO and Max prop auctions, including the record-setting October 2024 Game of Thrones auction that grossed over $21M. Training and Compliance.Conduct anti-harassment/discrimination trainings for cast and crew. Liaise with HR investigators, Risk Management, Security/Safety teams on employment, real property, guild, and other matters throughout production. Defamation and IP Guidance.Lead trainings for writers and producers of fact-based dramas on defamation, privacy, and copyright/fair use. Conduct pre-broadcast vetting of scripts and episodes. Speaking Engagements.Panelist for inaugural WBD Access Production Management training program. Panelist at 2023 ABA Communications Law Forum and PLI Communications Law in the Digital Age Conferences.

Education

• Stanford University

  A.B. Political Science with Departmental Honors

• Harvard Law School

  J.D., cum laude