Legal Counsel, Corporate and Securities

Sotheby's; London; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

Sotheby's is seeking a junior qualified solicitor for its Corporate and Securities team. This role, based in London and New York, involves supporting corporate transactions, governance, and compliance in an environment that values professionalism and integrity. Ideal for recent graduates looking to grow within a leading art and luxury company.

Qualifications

• Qualified solicitor with 0-2 years PQE.
• Strong academic record with at least a 2.1 degree.
• Experience in corporate and financing matters preferred.

Responsibilities

• Support management in financing transactions and M&A activity.
• Lead company secretarial support in the UK and US.
• Oversee subsidiary management and governance compliance.

Skills

Communication

Attention to detail

Project management

Team player

Professionalism

Education

Qualified solicitor in England & Wales

2.1 degree

Job description

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

We are looking for an ambitious junior qualified solicitor to join our Corporate and Securities team based in London and New York, working with several senior lawyers and a paralegal. The role will involve a wide range of transactional and advisory work. The ideal candidate will be a proactive self-starter with excellent communication skills, strong attention to detail and the ability to perform and prioritize multiple tasks simultaneously and efficiently to meet competing deadlines while maintaining the utmost professionalism.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Corporate and securities transactions

• Support management in a wide range of financing transactions such as bank financings, bond issuances and securitizations and M&A activity.
• As appropriate, lead legal support on lower risk matters such as obtaining incremental lending on existing financing platforms/extension of existing loans or work alongside more senior lawyers on more complex matters.
• Lead internal documentary due diligence/disclosure exercises in complex and/or large transactions and provide other transactional review/input as appropriate.
• Advise on terms of existing financings and acquisitions/disposals to answer queries raised by management.

UK & US corporate governance

• Lead day to day company secretarial support with Sotheby’s subsidiary companies in the UK, and the US, e.g. timely Companies House filings, board minutes/resolutions, shareholder resolutions, powers of attorney, arranging subsidiary board meetings.
• As requested, support the activities of the Sotheby’s group board of directors.
• Maintaining US and UK corporate records on Diligent and iManage, ensuring good housekeeping.
• Partner with colleagues in tax, finance and treasury to support the internal capital, liquidity and financial reporting needs of the group on matters such as:
• Capital injections e.g. subsidiary share issuances
• Intra-group loan arrangements
• Dividends and distribution
• Annual statutory accounts for UK companies
• Deal with a broad range of questions and requests from colleagues
• Prepare, maintain and update standard form template documents

Group wide subsidiary management

• Act as the day-to-day operational lead on the subsidiary management framework, liaising with local teams to drive compliance and good governance. Work with local office teams to connect them with local providers of corporate secretariat services and train on expectations.
• Advise on legal and governance aspects of setting up new legal entities (including in new countries) and closing entities no longer required.
• Identify and manage implementing processes or systems and reviewing policies and processes to help ensure good management of the organisation or compliance with legislation
• Oversee management of the D&O indemnity program

General

• Ensure processes are in place to deal with incoming Know Your Client obligations around corporate legal information and group holding structure, providing and coordinating responses.
• Support the DGC in managing the budget of the team.
• Manage external counsel and other providers including setting, tracking and reporting on spend.
• Take on projects as requested by DGC.
• Assisting with the Legal Department's global workload where required.

IDEAL EXPERIENCE & COMPETENCIES

• Must be a qualified solicitor in England & Wales. Likely to be 0-2 years PQE. Strong academic record with minimum 2.1 degree.
• Completed a training contract at a large or medium sized law firm or an inhouse legal function, with experience of corporate and/or financing matters.
• Able to perform and prioritize multiple tasks simultaneously and efficiently meet competing deadlines while maintaining the utmost professionalism.
• Takes clear ownership of matters, project manages with colleagues as required and follows through on delivery.
• Excellent communication skills (written and spoken).
• Enthusiastic, with a flexible approach balanced by appreciation of the need for discretion / confidentiality.
• Strong team player and confident in dealing directly with a variety of colleagues and stakeholders at all levels of seniority in a purposeful and constructive manner, often in highly pressurised situations.
• Keen to learn and grow professionally.
• Ability to interact calmly, patiently, and professionally in challenging situations.
• Must demonstrate the highest degree of integrity and ethical judgment.
• Any other language that overlaps with Sotheby’s footprint is beneficial but not required.
• Art related experience is not required.

To view our Candidate Privacy Notice for the US, please click here .

To view our Candidate Privacy Notice for the UK, Hong Kong, France and Switzerland, please click here .

The Company is an equal opportunity employer and considers all applicants for employment without regard to race (including, without limitation, traits historically associated with race, such as natural hair, hair texture, and protective and treated or untreated hairstyles), color, creed, religion, sex, sexual orientation, marital or civil partnership/union status, national origin, age, disability, pregnancy, genetic predisposition, genetic information, reproductive health decision, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, alienage or citizenship status, domestic violence victim status, military or veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state/province or local law. The Company complies with applicable state and local laws prohibiting discrimination in employment in every jurisdiction in which it operates.

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