Associate Counsel

Hornets Sports & Entertainment (HSE) Corporate Counsel is responsible for providing legal support across the organization’s business operations, including the Charlotte Hornets, Spectrum Center, Greensboro Swarm, and the Charlotte Hornets Foundation. This role partners closely with internal stakeholders to manage legal risk, support strategic initiatives, and ensure compliance with applicable laws, NBA rules, and organizational policies.

Corporate Counsel serves as a trusted advisor to business teams, handling a wide range of transactional, compliance, and operational legal matters, while escalating complex or high-risk issues as appropriate. This position reports to Senior Corporate Counsel and champions the Legal Department as a strategic partner in advancing HSE’s mission and business objectives.

Core Values

HSE embodies the following core values:

Integrity

Teamwork

Competitiveness

Candor

Accountability

Resilience

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Draft, review, and negotiate a wide variety of commercial agreements, including sponsorships, media rights, ticket and suite sales agreements, marketing/promotional agreements, vendor agreements, event licenses, NDAs, waivers, and service contracts.

Provide legal support for arena and event operations at Spectrum Center, including concerts, sporting events, and other live entertainment.

Advise internal departments on legal, regulatory, and risk-related issues impacting business operations.

Support intellectual property matters, including trademark and copyright issues, brand protection, and coordination with NBA intellectual property counsel.

Assist with employment-related matters, including employee relations issues, investigations, terminations, and drafting employment and independent contractor agreements.

Assist with maintaining compliance with federal, state, and local laws, as well as NBA rules and regulations.

Support risk management and insurance matters, including claims coordination and policy administration, in collaboration with Finance and HR.

Assist in managing litigation matters and responding to subpoenas and information requests, working with outside counsel as needed.

Contribute to the development, implementation, and maintenance of company policies, procedures, and legal compliance programs.

Coordinate with internal and external stakeholders to gather information and support legal projects and initiatives.

Maintain required professional licenses and ensure ongoing compliance with continuing education requirements.

Perform legal research and prepare memoranda, summaries, and recommendations for internal clients and leadership.

Support special projects and other duties as assigned.

Required Skills, Experience and Abilities

To perform the job successfully, you should demonstrate the following competencies:

Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree from an accredited law school and active license to practice law in at least one U.S. jurisdiction.

Minimum of 3–5 years of corporate legal experience, either in-house or at a law firm, preferably in a consumer-facing, sports, entertainment, or hospitality-related environment.

Demonstrated experience drafting, reviewing, and negotiating a wide range of commercial contracts.

Strong understanding of contract law, employment law, and intellectual property principles.

Ability to identify legal risks and provide practical, business-oriented solutions.

Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to interact effectively at all levels of the organization.

Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.

High degree of professionalism, discretion, and ability to maintain confidentiality.

Collaborative mindset with the ability to build consensus among diverse internal and external stakeholders.

Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications and legal document management systems, including Practical Law and Summize.

Willingness and ability to work extended hours, including nights, weekends, and attendance at company events, as needed.

Don’t forget to mention GoInhouse.com as your source when applying.

Additional Information

This is a full time benefit eligible position. HSE is dedicated to creating and upholding a welcoming environment that celebrates diversity.

HSE provides valuable benefits and competitive time off policies to help you and your family lead healthy, balanced lives.

We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our company. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status. All requests for medical or religious accommodations to perform the stated job duties will be considered.

Equal Opportunity Employer

This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.