Miguel Fernandez

I am an EU-qualified lawyer with over 10 years of legal expertise, excelling as commercial legal counsel safeguarding corporate assets through effective legal guidance within global organisations. 

ASSOCIATE LEGAL COUNSEL

Mattel EMEA / Business and Legal Affairs / London / August 2020 – 2023

• Drew up multiple commercial licensing agreements, including merchandise, publishing and promotions while answering queries, negotiating terms and providing internal/external stakeholder guidance on local regulations, risk mitigation, insurance, legal rights and clearances, and EU competition law.
• Drafted, reviewed and negotiated worldwide agent agreements, enhancing processes through the implementation of legal and business templates to secure long-lasting relationships.  
• Partnered across global licensing/legal teams to draft and negotiate non-standard agreements for digital gaming and digital marketing. 
• Managed termination, change of control and non-standard incidental legal documents as a lead legal resource to maintain high legal protection.
• Shaped safeguarding of Mattel's IP across a large trademark portfolio identifying and mitigating breaches to minimise future risks.
• Developed trustworthy stakeholder relations across all corporate levels to deliver exemplary legal guidance, special projects support and regulatory, privacy and tax assistance.

LEGAL COUNSEL

The Smiley Company / Legal Department / London / June 2019 – April 2020

• Effectively protected company profits and interests through the provision of complex legal support, guidance and representation for a large portfolio of IP contracts.
• Built trusting external counsel, agency and third-party relationships through effective negotiation and communications.
• Researched and assessed complex, dynamic risk factors to present findings and solutions to key business stakeholders.
• Directed safeguarding of large trademark portfolio, assessing and identifying possible breaches, crafting correspondence to mitigate any potential problems swiftly.
• Managed overseas agents and third-party relations to control rights acquisitions and clearances.
• Coached and developed assistant legal counsel; delivered internal training and legal reference materials for corporate staff to enhance internal capability and elevate performance.

INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY PARALEGAL

NBC Universal / Media, LLC / Brand Development / London / May 2017 – June 2019

• Lead legal resource across multiple EMEA teams, including consumer products, marketing and IP licensing teams.
• Provided legal support across 500+ global licensing agreements and contracts including agent agreements, creative service agreements, statements of work, non disclosure agreements and marketing agreements as well as talent/likeness and entertainment agreements to drive growth.
• Streamlined workflow and tracking of critical legal processes through effective legal team and business partner communications.
• Improved processes through continual updates of legal document templates.
• Enhanced legal capacity by coaching and mentoring paralegals and legal staff
• Achieved property rights adherences through effective legal research.

CONTRACT SPECIALIST

The Walt Disney Company / Contracts Management Centre / London / September 2015 – May 2017

• Led full contract lifecycle across 150+ Disney product license agreements, publishing materials and digital licenses for multiple partners, including Zara, Primark, Tesco, Marks & Spencer and Zara Home.
• Drafted and negotitated contracts, amendments and non-disclosure agreements. 
• Delivered critical legal support across finance accounting, category management, ILS, distribution and licensees.
• Successfully negotiated favourable agreements between category managers and licensees.
• Optimised revenue potential by securing upcoming renewals in advance of deal expirations.

UNDERWRITER

Ocaso S.A / Underwriting Department / London / May 2013 – September 2015

• Assessed and evaluated legal / financial risk across Spain and UK regions.
• Provided legal advice to broker clients and stakeholders on legal implications of insurance contracts, policy wording, new business terms, renewals and mid-term adjustments.
• Assessed adjuster reports and contracts to identify risk and recommend solutions for liability implications.
• Mitigated client risk through assessment and guidance on compliance with evolving legislation under liability implications.
• Built exemplary stakeholder relations across multiple corporate levels.

CASE ADVISOR: AEGON CAMPAIGN

Serco / London / April 2012 – May 2013

• Provided client legal support across policies, claims and complaints for multiple financial products and life policies.
• Achieved Serco Performance Award for Outstanding Service Delivery and Quality in Treating Customers Fairly and Financial Conduct Authority scores.
• Delivered insightful legal guidance to launch new Spanish and German marketing campaigns for Stonebridge International Insurance.

ASSOCIATE LAWYER

Fernandez del Castillo / Abogados, Spain /January 2011 – March 2012

• Managed civil law case portfolio related to employment contracts and HR, leading full translation jurisprudence between Spanish and English.
• Drafted and negotiated pre-marital contracts, marriage, divorce settlements, will and inheritance documentation to high standards.
• Prepared accurate formal adoption applications, appeals and complaints against government agencies.

EMPLOYMENT INSPECTOR

European Legislation & Regulations in Employment Law / 2011

BACHELOR OF HONOURS

Law

Erasmus Scholarship / University of Sheffield, UK / 2005-2006

BACHELOR OF HONOURS

Law

University of Oviedo, Spain / 2001-2006

ANTI-CORRUPTION COMPLIANCE

Baker & McKenzie LLP / 2023 

MASTERING & COMPLETING UNCONSCIOUS BIAS

Jarret Green, Chalisa, LLC / 2023

DEEP FAKES, RIGHT OF PUBLICITY & OTHER EMERGING SOFT IP

O’Melveny & Myers, LLP / 2022

ARBITRATION AS A RISK MANAGEMENT TOOL & CLAUSE DRAFTING CLE

Baker & Mc Kenzie LLP / 2022