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Full-Time

Associate General Counsel

Litigation

Confirmed live in the last 24 hours

Sotheby’s

Sotheby’s

1,001-5,000 employees

Auction house for fine art

Real Estate
Consumer Goods

Mid

London, UK

Category
Legal
Legal & Compliance
Required Skills
Communications
Management
Requirements
  • Approximately five years post-qualification experience in a dispute resolution practice area at a leading UK commercial law firm; admittance to practice in England and Wales is essential; current in-house lawyers will be considered provided they have significant prior experience in private practice.
  • Excellent analytical and drafting skills are vital, able to produce clear, high-quality writing; advanced communication and presenting skills are also important.
  • Ability to assess and balance commercial and regulatory risks, to think strategically and to clearly and concisely provide advice, often in time pressured circumstances.
  • Ability to provide clear guidance and workable, commercial solutions on contentious and sensitive issues.
  • Excellent relationship management and people skills, team player mentality with the ability to work alongside colleagues, and with clients, their representatives and other stakeholders.
  • Professional and calm manner; able to multi-task and prioritise and capable of working independently across Europe, the Middle East and Asia, and accommodating of other time zones when necessary.
  • Additional language skills helpful.
  • Art law / art industry experience is not required.
Responsibilities
  • Advising on and resolving contentious matters arising from all aspects of Sotheby’s business in Europe, the Middle East and Asia, including in relation to contractual terms; title disputes; claims relating to mis-cataloguing, attribution, authenticity of works and / or negligence; and debt recovery related matters; this includes corresponding with clients and their legal and other representatives, and drafting and negotiating settlement agreements and related documentation;
  • Undertaking risk assessment to pre-empt any potential issues or claims, and proactively identifying and advising on risk factors relating to the sale of property at auction and through private sale;
  • Reporting to senior management on the potential financial exposure for the Company arising out of facts or circumstances related to Sotheby’s business activities; seeking corporate governance approvals as required;
  • Instructing, managing and working closely with external counsel in Europe, the Middle East and Asia; and managing legal spend on the same;
  • Dealing with and providing advice to the Specialist Departments and Support Departments across the business, and working closely with the Finance and Press Departments, as well as colleagues in the global Legal and Compliance Department, to advise on legal, financial, regulatory, ethical and reputational issues;
  • Acting on behalf of the Company in connection with enquiries and disclosure requests received from law enforcement, regulators and other competent authorities, and managing the Company’s response to court orders in Europe, the Middle East and Asia;
  • Working with senior management and other internal business partners on a wide range of commercial issues and projects, providing strategic and risk management advice;
  • Supporting and helping to supervise more junior members of the Compliance and Litigation team.

Sotheby's is a global auction house that focuses on selling fine art, luxury items, and collectibles. It serves a variety of clients, including private collectors and investors, by organizing both live and online auctions, as well as offering private sales for direct transactions. Sotheby's makes money through commissions on sales and fees for appraisals. The company is distinguished by its expertise in valuing rare items and providing online estimates to potential sellers. Auctions are held in major cities worldwide, attracting a diverse audience of bidders. Sotheby's also curates special collections and offers a more private buying experience through its gallery network, catering to clients who value discretion.

Company Stage

N/A

Total Funding

$4M

Headquarters

New York City, New York

Founded

1744

Growth & Insights
Headcount

6 month growth

2%

1 year growth

2%

2 year growth

2%
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Simplify's Take

What believers are saying

  • Sotheby's groundbreaking $700 million securitization backed by art-secured loans demonstrates their innovative approach to art financing.
  • The company's strategic partnerships, such as with Art UK, enhance their cultural influence and market reach.
  • Sotheby's ability to attract high-profile collections and items, like the Tamotsu Yagi Collection, underscores their strong market position and appeal to elite collectors.

What critics are saying

  • Recent layoffs in the UK and potential further cuts could indicate financial instability and affect employee morale.
  • The departure of key figures, such as Brooke Lampley, may lead to a loss of expertise and impact the company's leadership in certain art categories.

What makes Sotheby’s unique

  • Sotheby's dual approach of live and online auctions, along with private sales, allows them to cater to diverse client preferences, unlike competitors who may focus solely on one method.
  • Their global presence in major cities like New York, London, and Hong Kong ensures a competitive market and attracts a worldwide audience, setting them apart from regional auction houses.
  • Sotheby's expertise in valuing and selling rare and valuable items, combined with their online estimate service, provides a unique value proposition for potential sellers.

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