Paralegal - Art Law - (1 Year FTC)

Christie’s, the world’s largest Art Business, is an incredibly exciting & enriching place to start or continue your career. Whether you work within one of our Specialist Art Departments, or in one of our more Operational teams, we are all working together with one common goal in mind: to continue the success of this 250 year old company, steeped in history, bringing fresh ideas whilst not forgetting our shared values; Integrity, Excellence, Innovation, Responsibility & Relationships. Colleagues across all departments are truly passionate about what they do and it is inspiring to work with industry leaders across our business. 
 

Why This Role Matters

Working under the direction of the art lawyers you will:

Assist with the drafting and review of contracts for the sale of artworks and collectibles by auction, private sale and online and in connection with commercial matters such as partnerships, events and supplier arrangements.

Conduct research on a wide variety of legal and regulatory issues including contracts, consumer protection, compliance (including AML), cultural property, import/export, CITES, data protection and disputes, and preparing clear, concise written summaries and briefing notes.

Maintain and update contract templates, precedents, checklists and the legal team’s records, files and databases.

Support lawyers on pre-litigation matters and disputes by gathering provenance and transaction documentation, preparing chronologies, correspondence and document bundles.

Assist with provenance, title and authenticity due diligence on artworks and consignments, and with cultural property, import/export and CITES checks, escalating any red flags to the art lawyers. Assist lawyers with managing external counsel, including budgeting and invoice management. Work with legal and business colleagues across the globe on international transactions.

How You'll Make an Impact

• Performance through People – Work as part of a High Performing Teams
• Partnership Building – Develop productive internal and external relationships & work collaboratively.
• Influencing – Adopt and apply appropriate influencing styles.
• Information Sharing – Ensures people have access to information they need to do their job effectively.
• Independence of mind - consistently makes decisions in a balanced way taking account of all relevant legal and regulatory matters and the needs of the business.
• Decisive – isn’t afraid to make decisions; consistently makes the right decisions and is responsible for them.

What you’ll bring to the team

• You must have minimum 2:1 LLB (or a non-law degree plus GDL) and relevant experience working in an in-house or law firm role. 
• Technical knowledge: have basic knowledge of fundamental legal concepts, including contract, commercial and consumer laws.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills (both written and oral). 
• Teamwork: Able to confidently work collaboratively across all levels of the business, developing productive internal and external relationships.
• Highly organised with strong and effective time management skills and with the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Detail orientated.
• Discrete and professional at all times, operating ethically with a high level of integrity.
• Advanced Microsoft Office Suite and ability to quickly learn and become an internal expert in, Christie’s systems.
• Foreign Language skills can be helpful (though not essential) to the role.

What’s great about working for us

• 25 days annual leave + 1 day Birthday leave  
• Christie’s Christmas office closure (guaranteed between 25th Dec – 1st Jan) – in addition to annual leave: almost two weeks to fully switch off and spend time with friends and family
• Additional 1 week’s annual leave within the year of a 5-year anniversary i.e. 5th, 10th, 15th and so on
• Volunteering day: Take an additional day of annual leave to volunteer for a charitable organisation that’s important to you
• Donation matching of up to £500 per annum to help you support the organisations you care about
• Flexible Fitness Fund - £400 per year expense allowance for health and wellness related activity (taxable)
• Access to world-renowned art: with regular exhibitions in our galleries to wander around and exclusive guided tours hosted by specialist colleagues
• Discretionary Bonus (dependent on the business and employee performance payable in March each year)
• Generous retirement plan: We will double match your pension contribution up to 5% of your basic salary (Max 10% contribution from Christie’s)
• Private Health Insurance: no employee contribution needed, subsidised for other family members (taxable)
• Dental Insurance: (may be extended at personal cost)
• Generous Income Protection Insurance in the event of accident, sickness or injury after 12 months of employment
• Competitive Life Insurance policy from first day 
• Employee Assistance Programme: access to personal advice and support services including counselling
• Eyecare vouchers (once a year)
• Cycle to Work scheme
• Christie’s Extras: discounts on over 800 retailers, holiday packages, dinners and weekly shops
• Seniorcare by Lottie: a comprehensive eldercare solution
• Robust family first policy:
• 16 weeks full pay on Maternity Leave  
• Family-friendly return to work: 80% work at full-pay for eight weeks post-Maternity leave to ease you back into work
• Dependent back-up care: 10 sessions/ days of childcare or eldercare per year
• Christie’s Family Network: Our community of parents who meet regularly over breakfasts, lunch, afternoon tea…

              *Christie’s reserves the right to change company benefits at any time

Salary Range: £30-40,000

Close Date: 23rd August

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