In-House LA Lawyer Considering Move to Netflix
Hi all! So, apparently everyone and their grandmother in the LA area is jumping ship to join Netflix at their fast-growing Hollywood locations. Animators, tech folks, lawyers and more. I know there’s a solid stigma out there about Netflix firing low performers and all that. But the benefits are really enticing, at least what I’ve heard about. My job at an entertainment megacompany is ok but we’re getting pretty cutthroat and various legal departments are rigid and bureaucratic. I’m stuck in a rut with an awful boss and would love some sense of vibrancy at work again. Any in-house lawyers out there make the jump to Netflix, maybe from other studios/megacorps? What pushed you over the edge from stability and monotony into the realm of less certainty and more money/perks? Also, very importantly, what are you getting paid, and at what level of experience? 7 yrs experience at sub-director level? 12 yrs experience at director level? Also, what can you tell me about other perks specific to lawyers at director-and-above level? I heard they outfit your home office, is that true? How are they about working remotely sometimes? Aside from anything specific to lawyers, any other folks in LA join Netflix recently? Any advice? Thanks so much!
A small point, but if you're going to be a lawyer at Netflix right now, you might literally have to have a legal battle with the church of Satan. You may see this as a pro or con, but either way food for thought. https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/nation-now/2018/11/09/sabrina-netflix-lawsuit-satanic-temple-sues-over-baphomet-statue/1940562002/
Wow. When I clicked on the article, I thought the suit was gonna be based on some “religious” grounds, but trademark and copyright? Lol. Catholic Church Files Trademark for “WWJD?”
Why's that a stigma? Seems like a selling point: we fire fools so TT don't have to suffer them
What’s TT? I’m less concerned about the firing low performers as I am about firing folks when attention shifts to different initiatives. I get the sense that less emphasis is put on repurposing existing folks than just hiring in a team of fresh faces. Just an impression, which I’m sure only has a small bit of truth in it. I’m happy to admit I’m flying blind this far. Any insight you have would be greatly appreciated.
Top tier. Don't understand why having a reputation for quickly getting rid of middling talent is a bad thing
I haven’t worked at Netflix so take my advice with a grain of salt. My understanding from having read many many anecdotes is that it’s a good place if you’re a top performer and have a good relationship with your manager. If your relationship with your manager is not good, even if you perform well, it’s much much easier for them to just fire you, as opposed to other FANG co’s where you may be able to transfer teams. The silver lining is that they give a generous (6 months plus I think) severance package. If you’re ok with taking this risk, go for it.
Haven’t heard of any team at Netflix having perks specific to them. I work from home twice a week and nobody cares, but it’s dependent on your team/manager. 6 years of exp, $400k total in engineering. Not a manager, just an IC, in the Bay Area. I can’t imagine pay in LA is too different. Benefits are good, but pretty much the same as other tech companies, except the food is worse.
I hope you understand that Netflix is a one trick pony and their growth will stop sooner rather than later. But if you can get some great(!) comp for a few years it'll definitely be a good move that'll still look good on a resume.
Thanks. Yeah, I’ve been considering the resume boost to be in the Pro column for making the move. I myself am a bit of a one-trick pony here at my current job and the new Netflix job responsibilities would have me expanding my experience into new areas. There’s pretty much only one level of promotion above me until I die or retire (a long way away, hopefully). Thus, I am definitely planning to go *somewhere* someday. I’m thinking Netflix would be a good launching-out point.