Summer Experiences: Katelyn David, ’25, Legal Intern, NBCUniversal (Los Angeles)
Katelyn David, ’25, is spending the summer as a legal intern for NBCUniversal in its Universal Filmed Entertainment Group, Global Distribution Rights & Clearances. “While I spent my summer at NBCUniversal discovering legal opportunities at major entertainment companies, I also gained valuable insight into what kind of legal help companies like NBCUniversal may be seeking when hiring outside counsel,” David says.
How did you connect with this summer opportunity?
I first came across listings for NBCUniversal internships on LinkedIn, which redirected me to NBCUniversal’s internship website. Several departments and entities controlled by NBCUniversal offer Business & Legal Affairs internships, so I broadly applied to each of the legal internships and eventually secured a position with the Global Distribution Rights & Clearances team in the Universal Filmed Entertainment Group.
How does your experience connect with what you currently envision doing with your law degree?
I hope to pursue a career in corporate law following graduation, so I wanted to spend my 1L summer exploring the law from an in-house perspective—an experience which I believed would allow me to better understand clients’ needs in the future. While I spent my summer at NBCUniversal discovering legal opportunities at major entertainment companies, I also gained valuable insight into what kind of legal help companies like NBCUniversal may be seeking when hiring outside counsel.
Please describe a “typical” day at work.
NBCUniversal controls distribution rights for numerous film and television titles, and the scope of rights for each title is captured in its written distribution agreement. A “typical” day at work for me largely consists of locating and interpreting these contracts to advise the sales or marketing teams on where/how NBCUniversal can exploit a title.
What is something you learned or experienced that was surprising or particularly compelling during this summer position?
When I first started my internship at NBCUniversal, I was immediately struck by how eager my colleagues were to connect with me, answer my questions, and offer advice—both related to the job and more broadly about my career path. While I learned so much in my day-to-day work, I learned just as much by simply chatting with the experienced attorneys around me and being open to learning from their experiences.
What are a couple of your key takeaways from the experience so far?
My biggest take-away from my internship was to remain focused on the big picture. In-house attorneys often work with colleagues from a variety of departments, each of whom perform unique roles within the company. Recognizing the role my department played in the greater scheme of NBCUniversal and how my work was specifically used by other departments allowed me to ensure my work was fulfilling my colleagues’ needs.
What advice would you offer another law student contemplating working in a similar position next summer?
Apply early, do your research, and have a compelling reason why you are interested in the position. While my colleagues all come from different work and educational backgrounds, common among them is a passion for entertainment and appreciation for NBCUniversal’s contributions to the industry. There are plenty of opportunities available for anyone interested in working at one of the large studios—but be prepared for an extensive interview process intended to gauge your enthusiasm for the work and how well you understand the business.
How are you spending your free time this summer?
Much of my free time this summer has been spent hiking, swimming, and working out at my favorite spin studio. Being back home in Los Angeles has also allowed me to reconnect with friends while exploring new restaurants that have opened since I moved to Chicago.
What are you most looking forward to in returning to UChicago Law this fall?
I am most excited to return to Chicago in the fall and reunite with my classmates! As a rising 2L, I am also excited for the opportunity to exercise more control over my class schedule and explore the many interesting courses UChicago Law has to offer.