Associate General Counsel, Corporate and Securities

ABOUT SOTHEBY'S

Established in 1744, Sotheby’s is the world’s premier destination for art and luxury. Sotheby’s promotes access to and ownership of exceptional art and luxury objects through auctions and buy-now channels including private sales, e-commerce and retail. Our trusted global marketplace is supported by an industry-leading technology platform and a network of specialists spanning 40 countries and 70 categories which include Contemporary Art, Modern and Impressionist Art, Old Masters, Chinese Works of Art, Jewelry, Watches, Wine and Spirits, and Design, as well as collectible cars and real estate. Sotheby’s believes in the transformative power of art and culture and is committed to making our industries more inclusive, sustainable and collaborative.

THE ROLE

 We are looking for an ambitious New York senior attorney to join our Corporate and Securities team based in London and New York as AGC.  This will one of two AGC roles in New York with the rest of the team in London.  The role will involve a wide range of transactional and advisory work. The ideal candidate will be a proactive self-starter with excellent communication skills, strong attention to detail and the ability to perform and prioritize multiple tasks simultaneously and efficiently to meet competing deadlines while maintaining the utmost professionalism.

The AGC will work autonomously on the legal support to a range of corporate and financing matters, both transactional and advisory, and to provide support to the DGC and Sotheby’s General Counsel on major matters.  These may be specific to the US, international or global.    Whilst the work will span a range of issues and the role holder should be keen to flex across and grow into these areas, strong experience of helping structure and manage transactions is key, along with experience of personally drafting core documents.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Growth: Organic and Acquisitions

• Act as trusted legal advisor on a variety of growth or change matters such as acquisitions and disposals, joint ventures, commercial partnerships, setting up in new jurisdictions/lines of business
• Be comfortable both working with external counsel and/or carrying out necessary legal work internally including drafting and negotiating documents and project management
• Support management’s analysis on potential targets, growth opportunities and issues with existing matters with thoughtful analysis of legal and regulatory risks and challenges and engineer pragmatic solutions
• Work closely with a range of internal stakeholders to ensure appropriate operational changes are understood and embedded

Treasury: Banking and Capital Markets 

• Lead legal support on selected Treasury financings (new, extended or amendments) which may include term loans, bonds, securitisations and real estate
• Review and advise on legal terms of existing financings to guide management on options and provide ongoing maintenance eg reviewing compliance certificates
• Support intra-group financing arrangements to maximize use of group capital and liquidity

Corporate Advisory and Support

• Work with the DGC on group level board and shareholder matters.
• Provide legal advice on US incorporated entities including business as usual activities such as board resolutions, corporate constitutions, schemes of delegation and group structures
• Advise on executive compensation schemes such as long-term incentive plans
• Review and provide input to US centric financial reporting eg maintaining risk factors
• Advise on New York Real estate matters as needed
• Own external Law firm relationship management and optimization
• Supporting or leading change projects due to change in law/regulation or to support business needs
• As requested, support the broader legal and compliance needs of Sotheby’s

IDEAL EXPERIENCE & COMPETENCIES

• 6+ years qualified legal experience with broad corporate and financing experience. Licensed to practice law in the State of New York and in good standing or otherwise in compliance with the in-house counsel registration rule.
• Must have experience in structuring and managing corporate and/or financing transactions and personally drafted key transaction documents.
• Training/experience within large, well respected law firm that represents large corporate/institutional clients. Having spent time in house, whether as an employee or a secondee, is a major plus
• Currently holds a notary licence for New York or willing to get one
• Able to perform and prioritize multiple tasks simultaneously and efficiently meet competing deadlines while maintaining the utmost professionalism.
• Takes clear ownership of matters, project manages with colleagues as required and follows through on delivery.
• Excellent communication skills (written and spoken).
• Enthusiastic, with a flexible approach balanced by appreciation of the need for discretion / confidentiality.
• Strong team player and confident in dealing directly with a variety of colleagues and stakeholders at all levels of seniority (including C-Suite and group level board members) in a purposeful and constructive manner, often in highly pressurised situations.
• Keen to learn and grow professionally and to help junior team members develop. Enjoys taking on new challenges and expanding into new areas of law.
• Ability to interact calmly, patiently, and professionally in challenging situations.
• Must demonstrate the highest degree of integrity and ethical judgment.
• Any other language that overlaps with Sotheby’s footprint is beneficial but not required.
• Art related experience is not required.

The proposed base salary for this position ranges from $220,000-$250,000. In addition to base salary successful candidates are eligible to receive a discretionary bonus, as well as a competitive benefits package. Salary offers are based on a wide range of factors including relevant skills, training, experience, education, and, where applicable, licensure or certifications obtained. Market and organizational factors are also considered. 

To view our Candidate Privacy Notice for the US, please click here.

To view our Candidate Privacy Notice for the UK, Hong Kong, France and Switzerland, please click here.

The Company is an equal opportunity employer and considers all applicants for employment without regard to race (including, without limitation, traits historically associated with race, such as natural hair, hair texture, and protective and treated or untreated hairstyles), color, creed, religion, sex, sexual orientation, marital or civil partnership/union status, national origin, age, disability, pregnancy, genetic predisposition, genetic information, reproductive health decision, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, alienage or citizenship status, domestic violence victim status, military or veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state/province or local law. The Company complies with applicable state and local laws prohibiting discrimination in employment in every jurisdiction in which it operates.