Patty Gerstenblith Legal Fellowship in Art, Museum, and Cultural Heritage Law

Position: Patty Gerstenblith Legal Fellowship in Art, Museum, and Cultural Heritage Law

FLSA Status: Exempt

Department: Office of VP and General Counsel

Our Mission: Since the 1893 World Columbian Exposition, the Field Museum of Natural History has aimed to connect people to the natural environment and human history.

Join our team and enjoy a benefits package that truly supports your well-being and lifestyle:

• Comprehensive Health Coverage: Including medical, dental, vision plans, and even pet insurance.
• Financial Security: Life and disability benefits plus a 403(b) savings plan to help you plan for the future.
• Work-Life Balance: Generous paid time off, paid sick leave, and paid holidays to ensure you have time to recharge and spend with loved ones.
• Exclusive Perks: Enjoy great employee discounts and complimentary general admission to participating cultural institutions.

The Patty Gerstenblith Fellowship in Art, Museum, and Cultural Heritage Law is a two-year position for early-career attorneys (a one-year term may be considered upon request). The Fellow will gain first-hand experience in the legal questions and practical concerns related to repatriation, acquisitions, provenance, research, and exhibition of scientific specimens and items of cultural heritage, as well as the broad range of other legal concerns facing not-for-profits, providing the Fellow with experiences applicable to counseling museums and other cultural organizations. The Fellowship will provide professional development opportunities, including conference attendance and an opportunity to complete a relevant professional certification.

The Legal Fellow reports to the General Counsel and serves as part of the Museum’s in-house legal team. The Office of General Counsel protects the legal interests of the Museum, providing advice and counsel to senior management and other staff members in all departments of the Museum on a variety of matters, including but, not limited to, non-profit governance, collections management practices, labor and employment, compliance, risk management, contracts, intellectual property, charitable contributions, and cultural property.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Provides legal support and assistance to the Museum Repatriation Center regarding NAGPRA compliance and related legal issues.
• Assists the Collections Center with provenance research and analysis of collections items and potential acquisitions, compliance with cultural property laws and other import/export requirements.
• Assists in identifying legal risks to the Museum and recommends appropriate risk mitigation strategies.
• Drafts, reviews, and negotiates contracts, transactional agreements, and other legal documents in a variety of areas.
• Works closely with Museum staff to ensure that projects, procedures, contracts, and other documents meet the Museum’s needs and protect the Museum’s interests.
• Assists in designing, drafting, and reviewing Museum policies and procedures; provides guidance on best practices.
• Monitors compliance with applicable laws and regulatio