Senior / Corporate Counsel - Legal & Risk

Senior / Corporate Counsel - Legal & Risk

The Company

Christie’s, the world’s largest Art Business, is an incredibly exciting & enriching place to start or continue your career. Whether you work within one of our Specialist Art Departments or in our more Operational focused teams we are all working together with one common goal in mind: to continue the success of this 260 year old company, steeped in history, bringing constant innovation whilst not forgetting our age old values: Passionate Expertise, Exceptional Client Service, Teamwork, Integrity, Business Judgment & Innovation. Colleagues across all departments are truly passionate about what they do and it is constantly inspiring to work with industry leaders across all segments of the business.

Why This Role Matters

The Senior/ Corporate Counsel will be based in New York as a member of the Americas Legal & Risk Department and will manage a broad range of matters relating to auctions, private sales and the company as a whole. She/he/they will serve as a key legal and business partner – handling the drafting and negotiation of consignment and other art-related agreements and also supporting the resolution of provenance, authenticity, and title issues. The Senior/Corporate Counsel also will work within a global team of attorneys and other professionals to develop best practices, policies, and procedures and to deliver high-quality legal and risk management services to the company. Whether the ultimate hire is for the Senior or Corporate Counsel position, and the corresponding compensation, will depend on the level of experience of the successful candidate.

How You’ll Make an Impact

• Provide comprehensive legal services to the art business and operations teams, including handling all aspects of contract negotiations, in a commercial and pragmatic way
• Draft, review and negotiate a wide variety of contracts, including consignment, exhibition/loan, and commercial agreements
• Educate and train business colleagues on a wide array of legal matters and internal policies and procedures, including relevant regulations
• Provide support for auction house issues pertaining to art law, import/export, cultural property and local, state and federal regulation, leading initiatives and projects, identifying and mitigating legal risks
• Assist business colleagues in navigating and resolving commercial disputes
• Work with legal and business colleagues across the globe on international transactions
• Advise on all aspects of day-to-day legal issues
• Potential for management responsibilities
• Occasionally liaise with and supervise external counsel

What You’ll Bring to the Team

• J.D. degree from a top-tier accredited law school with admission to at least one state bar (preferably NY)
• 8-15 years of experience in private practice and/or in-house, with experience in broad areas of business law
• A background and knowledge of supporting organizations on matters relating to art law and an interest in the art world will be beneficial but not essential
• Excellent legal and analytical skills, including drafting, negotiation, and presentation skills
• A sound understanding of commercial and corporate law principles
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills
• Works collaboratively while maintaining an independent mind
• Exhibits sound commercial judgment when balancing legal risks against business benefits
• Makes sound, reasoned decisions under time pressure
• Develops productive internal and external relationships
• Possesses strong and effective time management skills and is able to juggle many projects at once
• Engages as a practical legal advisor, continually improving commercial skills, strengthening relationships and striving to be a credible business partner and not a legal technocrat

What’s great about working for us

• Comprehensive Medical, Dental and Vision care plans for employees and dependents (Generally Christie’s pays 80% of total premiums)
• 401k Savings Plan - Christie’s matches dollar for dollar on the first 5% an employee elects to contribute
• Life Insurance - 3x base salary up to $400k (100% paid by Christie’s)
• Disability Insurance (100% paid by Christie’s)
• Generous time-off and leave policies; including 8 weeks Paid Family Leave
• Robust Wellness Program
• Onsite weekly yoga class
• Discounted or subsidized Gym Memberships to Equinox, NYSC & NYHRC
• Annual Performance Bonus plan
• Commuter Benefits - Pre-tax money towards your daily commute with a Christie’s contribution of $21 per month
• Back Up Child & Elder Care - Each employee receives up to 10 days of back-up Child or Elder Care through Bright Horizons
• ‘Art & Soul’ – Each employee receives one paid day per year to dedicate their time to a charity of their choice
• Perks and Discounts through Zo and Plum Benefits

*Christie’s reserves the right to change company benefits at any time
Christie’s, Inc. is committed to principles of equal employment opportunity, affirmative action, and to compliance with all federal, state, and local laws concerning employment discrimination, including the Americans with Disabilities Act. To this end, Christie’s Inc. ensures equal opportunity to all employees and applicants, regardless of race, color, age, sex, sexual orientation, religion, marital status, national origin or ancestry, citizenship, lawful alien status, physical, mental, and medical disability, veteran status or liability status for service in the United States Armed Forces.