Art Law Associate

Art Practice Overview

Withers has a leading global art practice that regularly advises on major art transactions and a wide range of other legal matters with art at its core. Whether advising artists, collectors, galleries, estates, private museums, art consultants, appraisers, or other art industry participants, domestically or internationally, Withers is known for its deep understanding of all facets of the art market. Keeping client objectives front-of-mind, our team takes pride in being solution-oriented and providing clients with practical, accessible advice. Withers is the only art law practice in the US to have the support of a global team across both US coasts, Europe, and Asia Pacific, enabling us to service international art transactions and clients by providing seamless cross-jurisdictional advice coupled with on-the-ground availability. The art practice regularly collaborates closely with our tax, philanthropy, estate planning, dispute resolution, immigration, real estate, and corporate teams to produce clear, comprehensive advice that enables our clients to utilize the depth and variety of our expertise.

For more information on our Art practice please visit this page.

The Role

This role will sit in our New York office.

• Responsibilities will include drafting, reviewing, editing, and negotiating transactional art law documents/agreements including (but not limited to): purchase, sale, loan, consignment, auction, irrevocable bid, deeds of gifts, museum loan, licensing, credit agreements/guarantees, corporate formation, and bailment.
• Draft, edit, and negotiate agreements surrounding logistics, shipping, and storage of works of art.
• Research and advise on matters including intellectual property, technology, cultural property, endangered species, and customs issues.
• Previous experience with income tax, sales and use tax, and estate and gift tax landscapes.
• Ability to advise high-net-worth and ultra-high-net-worth clients on tax structuring, commercial, business, and familial transactions, and estate planning involving works of art.
• The role will also involve contributing to the team's profile and undertaking business development activities to establish, develop, and maintain long-term relationships; including, writing articles/posts, attending events/conferences and building networks with private wealth contacts/intermediaries including global and peer firms and counsel.

This list of duties and responsibilities is not exhaustive.  It is intended to describe the general content of, and requirements for the performance of this job, and as such, the role may also include the undertaking of additional tasks as required.

Key Skills and Experience

• Strong academic credentials (J.D. required; Tax LL.M. is a plus);
• Minimum 3 – 5 years of experience practicing at a law firm;
• New York Bar membership required;
• A demonstrated interest in art law and the art market;
• Strong drafting, writing, research and communication skills;
• Proactive self-starter;
• Domestic experience required and international/cross-border experience a plus;
• Strong project management skills with an ability to balance and prioritize multiple assignments;
• Attention to detail; and
• Team Player with a desire to be trained and deepen and expand skill set.
• Compensation commensurate with experience ranging from $195,000 - $250,000. 

About Withers

Where global collaboration achieves exceptional results. 

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A law firm focused on people and collaboration. 

For the past 125 years, Withers has supported some of the world’s most remarkable people and organizations at defining moments in their lives. 

We are the only international law firm focused on successful individuals and private capital, working closely with founders, investors and family offices. We also advise governments, charities, global brands and start-ups of all shapes and sizes. 

Many of our clients are shaping the future, and creating solutions to tackle many of the world’s problems. It makes for a fascinating and challenging practice. 

Our role is to get to know each individual client, find out where they want to be, and help them to get there – whether they are building a business, buying a home or protecting and defending their interests. 

To meet their unique needs we are exceptionally collaborative, working together across teams and time zones. And we are agile – focusing on strategy rather than rigid ideas and traditional hierarchy.  

Join us to be part of a team that is always looking to the future. Where initiative, big ideas and bold moves are always encouraged. Where you can truly be yourself. 

We are delighted to announce that we have been awarded Mansfield Certification Plus in relation to our recruitment and leadership progression efforts in the US and UK. This certification is an encouraging milestone as we continue to champion diversity within our organization and in the wider legal sector. 

For more information on Withers, please visit the following links: General Career Site, LinkedIn, About Us 

Private Client and Tax Division

Today, we are the only truly global law firm dedicated to the personal and private capital needs of high-net-worth individuals and families. Many of our clients are international families with interests in a number of locations. In a fast-moving and increasingly compliance focused world, the need for integrated advice that reaches across borders has never been greater. With offices across Europe, the United States and Asia-Pacific we provide coverage that other law firms in this area cannot match. Our team of experienced private client solicitors continually look for opportunities to ensure we have a strong presence in the locations where our clients live, work and invest.

Our advice to fiduciaries covers the design and implementation of new plans, as well as the modernization and consolidation of older trusts. We also assist them in complying with the complex rules surrounding investments, accounting, taxes and compliance.

This practice generates approximately 55% of the partnership's revenues and is the largest in the world with over 300 people. We advise on domestic and international tax, estate planning, succession and mental capacity laws in Europe, the US and Asia, as well as facilitating our client's philanthropic endeavors. We have immigration teams in the major financial centers and are well placed to deal with tax investigation and litigation cases. Real estate is very important to our clients, and we have a specialist residential and rural team.

Equal Opportunities Employment Statement 

The firm is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer.  Equal employment opportunity has been and will continue to be a fundamental principle at the firm. Employment at the firm is based upon personal capabilities and qualifications without regard to race, color, gender, sex, age, religion, creed, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, marital status, sexual orientation, physical or mental disability, medical condition, military and veteran status, gender identity or expression, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law.  The firm prohibits and will not tolerate any discrimination or harassment on the basis of any of these classifications or characteristics.

If you are interested in applying for employment and need special assistance or an accommodation to use our website to apply for a position, please contact the firm at (203) 789-1320 or email us.recruiting@withersworldwide.com with your request.  Determinations on requests for reasonable accommodation are made on a case-by-case basis.