Senior Counsel

PRIMARY FUNCTION

The Senior Counsel is responsible for providing legal consultation to the Company’s various specialist and operations and other support departments worldwide. This position works primarily with the General Counsel, Americas to deliver legal support to the Company. As a member of the New York team, Senior Counsel is expected to demonstrate continuous focus on delivering the Company’s brand promise, executing its business strategy and achieving its vision. Phillips values a workforce with a wide variety of experiences, backgrounds and skills, so we encourage you to apply even if you do not meet all of the qualifications.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Draft and revise a wide range of contracts, including consignment agreements, private sale agreements, guarantee contracts, advance agreements, bailment agreements, employment contracts, real estate contracts, estate contracts and other related legal documents

Advise on issues and policies related to art, commercial law, regulatory matters and compliance issues

Manage and respond to inquiries from the specialist departments related to consignment contracts

Work with business leaders to prioritize pending assignments and to maintain internal service levels

Provide additional advice and support on art law matters working with the General Counsel’s office and external lawyers as needed; practice areas to be familiar with include areas of art related law including art regulation, restitution, copyright, authenticity, insurance, imports and exports, etc.

Negotiate agreement terms with clients and their counsel; advise internal clients on risks and advantages of positions; redraft agreements and close deals

Devise strategies and provide legal advice to internal clients on disputes and work with outside counsel on litigations and report to General Counsel

Provide support to General Counsel for training and guidance to administrative and compliance support staff

Assist in implementing AI workflows for legal department to increase efficiencies

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

Qualification to practice law in a US-jurisdiction (New York, preferred)

Law degree required (JD, LLM, foreign-qualified attorney)

At least six years of professional legal experience (law firm, corporation, clerkship, auction house, gallery)

Strong interest in art or intellectual property law

Experience in other areas of law such as employment, corporate and litigation is preferred

Possesses a strong work ethic with effective time management and organizational skills; able to multi-task, take initiative and work well independently

Refined and well-practiced drafting skills (in particular, the ability to develop creative solutions in areas with evolving legal guidance)

Strong analytical, troubleshooting and problem-solving skills; ability to identify remote and actual risk and craft appropriate responses

Exemplary inter-personal verbal and written communication skills

Excellent client service skills; comfortable interacting with sales, marketing, and business stakeholders

WORKING CONDITIONS

Work is undertaken primarily within an office environment in our New York location with some opportunity for remote work

Evening and weekend work may be required subject to business need.

ADDITIONAL INFO

The annual salary range for this position is $150,000-180,000.