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

The Associate General Counsel, Corporate and Securities attorney 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 CSCCS and Sotheby’s General Counsel on major matters.  These may be specific to the US, international or global.   

The Vice President is expected to identify and analyze legal issues and risk, draft or review key documents, present clear recommendations to senior leaders, manage external counsel and costs and maintain legal compliance and support on a wide range of issues as set out below. 

 

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
• Carry out all 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, 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

• 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, management of Sotheby’s global trade mark portfolio
• Drive ad-hoc project work such as large supplier outsourcing agreements, client contractual arrangements, etc

 

IDEAL EXPERIENCE & COMPETENCIES

• 4+ years qualified legal experience with broad corporate and financing experience
• Ideal experience coming from a law firm or equivalent role within the legal department of a large corporate/financial institution
• Licensed to practice law in the State of New York and in good standing or otherwise in compliance with the in-house counsel registration rules
• Currently holds a notary licence for New York or willing to get one
• Excellent analytical and drafting skills are vital, able to produce clear, high-quality writing
• Ability to provide clear guidance and workable solutions on complex and sensitive issues with the appropriate balance of commercial risk sometimes under critical time pressure
• Excellent relationship management and people skills, with the ability to get along with a broad mix of people and personality styles.
• Able to form and maintain strong working relationships within Legal & Compliance, with clients and stakeholders, and work well within a team environment
• Strategic thinker with good general understanding of business and a willingness to learn and expand knowledge and expertise
• Able to think on your feet, multitask and prioritise. Capable of working independently across jurisdictions and time zones and efficiently with a