Associate General Counsel, Litigation

THE ROLE

Sotheby’s is seeking an experienced and highly motivated Associate General Counsel, Litigation to join the Compliance and Litigation team in London or Paris.  You will provide legal advice and support on contentious matters in Europe, the Middle East and Asia.  You will report to the Chief Compliance Officer and Global Head of Litigation, and will work alongside other members of Sotheby’s global Legal and Compliance Department.

RESPONSIBLITIES

• 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.

IDEAL EXPERIENCE & COMPETENCIES

• 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.