As part of The Cardozo Jurist’s never-ending quest to give students hope and encouragement in these desperate economic times, we hope the words of successful alumni will demonstrate that stimulating legal careers do still exist in New York. This month, the Jurist had the privilege of interviewing David Althoff, ’04, currently working in the in-house legal department at Marvel Entertainment. Mr. Althoff answers our questions and provides keen incites below.
Please describe your current job.
I’m currently working in-house for Marvel Entertainment. Marvel utilizes its famous characters franchises (Spider-Man, Hulk, Captain America, X-Men, Iron Man) in consumer products licensing, toys, video games, animation and movies. And, Marvel has been publishing comic books for the past 70 years now. I primarily support Marvel’s publishing division negotiating talent agreements (with pencilers, writers, inkers and others who create our comic books), vendor agreements with printers and distributors, licensing agreements with other publishers who make storybooks or coloring books based on our characters, and advising on copyright and trademark issues. And also, since it’s working in-house, a little bit of everything else.
I previously worked in-house for Kate Spade, the handbag and accessory company. Liz Claiborne—a much bigger company—bought Kate Spade in September 2006, and since it looked like I might be out of a job at some point soon, I asked our outside intellectual property attorney for some advice. She also worked with Marvel and knew they had an opening that wasn’t even advertised yet. The timing was incredible. I started at Marvel in January 2007.
What is a typical week like in your shoes?
Each week varies. Our business folks are always doing, making, creating something new with the Marvel characters. There are 10 attorneys in the New York office and we all end up collaborating and consulting with one another—the IP floats throughout the company and the stuff that gets created for comics or movies or consumer products or online gets used and referenced back into everything else.
What were some of the most interesting or exciting moments you’ve had while working for Marvel?
One of the most exciting moments at Marvel was appearing in She-Hulk #25 as myself. I was also a Spider-Man “balloon handler” in this year’s Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.
What were some of the most stressful moments?
It’s always stressful giving advice that people don’t want to hear or that doesn’t fit with the expectations for a new opportunity or venture.
What was your first job after law school?
I worked as a contract attorney at a large firm for a few months and then was offered an opportunity to work in-house at Kate Spade. I did an internship there all during my third year of law school.
What’s the most useful thing you learned in law school?
As an IP attorney, the copyright and trademark classes I took with Professors Sterk and Hughes were a big help. The appellate argument exercise part of legal writing class was a great experience—I remember being shocked—and proud of myself—when I was asked a question by one of the “judges” that I didn’t practice for, but was still able to process and answer on my feet only because I knew the topic so well. It was one of the moments where I knew I could be an attorney.
What advice do you have for current students about finding a job in this difficult economy?
Do lots of jobs and internships during law school—work for a judge or a non-profit or a firm or a company—each semester and summer and for anyone and everyone that will take you on. Soak up as much as you can from practicing attorneys and form real relationships and experience that—with some luck and timing—may lead to an opportunity someday.