Senior / Corporate Counsel - Legal & Risk

About the Company

Christie’s, the world’s largest Art Business, is an incredibly exciting and enriching place to start or continue your career. Whether you work within one of our Specialist Art Departments or in more operationally focused teams, we are all working together with one common goal: to continue the success of this 260-year-old company, steeped in history, while driving constant innovation and upholding our age-old values: Passionate Expertise, Exceptional Client Service, Teamwork, Integrity, Business Judgment, and 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.

About the Role

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. They will serve as a key legal and business partner—handling the drafting and negotiation of consignment and other art-related agreements—and support the resolution of provenance, authenticity, and title issues. The role also involves working 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. The title (Senior or Corporate Counsel) and corresponding compensation will depend on the level of experience of the successful candidate.

Responsibilities

• 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; lead 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

Requirements

• 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 (beneficial but not essential)

Skills

• 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 rather than a legal technocrat

Benefits

• Comprehensive Medical, Dental, and Vision care plans for employees and dependents (Christie’s generally 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 of Paid Family Leave
• Robust Wellness Program
• Onsite weekly yoga class
• Discounted or subsidized Gym Memberships to Equinox, NYSC, and NYHRC
• Annual Performance Bonus plan
• Commuter Benefits—Pre-tax money toward 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 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

Pay

Salary: $180,000.00 – $240,000.00 (does not include discretionary bonus compensation and/or overtime pay).