Solicitor / Associate - Art & Luxury Experienced Lawyers · London · Hybrid Remote - Wedlake Bell LLP

Description

Solicitor / Associate (NQ-4 PQE)- Art & Luxury

Wedlake Bell's highly-regarded Art & Luxury practice ( Band 1 Chambers UK & HNW ) is seeking to recruit a Solicitor / Associate (ideally NQ-4 PQE)to join their market leading, internationally recognised team. This is a full-time, permanent position.

Our specialist Art & Luxury practice advise a range of clients from artists, private collectors and international galleries through to governments, state institutions, museums, lenders, philanthropists and art fairs. They also have rich experience in other luxury assets such as collector cars, musical instruments, jewellery, wine, and watches.

This Solicitor / Associate role will primarily focus on non-contentious matters which will involve a broad range of instructions including negotiating consignment and bailment agreements, drafting terms and conditions of business, advising on soft intellectual property (e.g. copyright and moral rights), anti-money laundering and banking documentation. In addition you may be required to assist with the contentious side of the practice from time to time (e.g. dealing with fakes and forgeries, protecting artists' rights, fraud, restitution etc.). You will work closely with other members of the team, including partners, providing commercially astute and problem solving advice to clients, on budget and in a timely fashion.

This is a remarkable opportunity to join a top-tier practice in an exciting and constantly evolving field. We are seeking someone with an established commercial, IP, corporate, or banking law background (ideally NQ-4 PQE) with a willingness to broaden their skills into those other areas of law that hold an Art & Luxury market focus. A strong interest in art and/or other luxury collectibles is essential.

Find out more about the Art & Luxury team here .

N.B. Please note we are not using recruitment agenciesfor this position.

About WB:

Located in the heart of the City of London, Wedlake Bell is a Top 100 law firm offering full services across Private Client, Real Estate, Business Services, and Disputes. The firm has 81 Partners and a total headcount of around 400. We have grown year-on-year, attributed to the continual success of our legal teams, and the dedication of our staff members.

Our culture is widely-recognised as one of the best in City law, built on trust, collaboration, and mutual respect. Joining us, you will be part of a firm which supports work/life balance, personal development, and building strong connections. With regular cross-firm socials and events (including our renowned yearly ski trip), you will quickly feel like part of the WB team

Key Responsibilities:

• Delivering clear and high-quality legal advice on a range of arts and luxury matters, ranging in experience covering both transactional, advisory, and contentious issues;
• Acting as a day-to-day contact for clients on ongoing or new matters;
• Contributing to the development of the practice by promoting Wedlake Bell entire firm offering, both to existing and potential clients. In addition the chosen candidate will be required to contribute to the Art & Luxury team's business development initiatives including thought leadership, drafting comments for press, attending client and firm events;
• Undertaking legal research and delivering findings in a manner that addresses the issue in hand is easily digestible for clients; and
• Good drafting skills, file management and organisation.
  
  

Examples of Recent Work:

• Negotiating and drafting auction house terms and conditions, consignment agreements and guarantees for both auctioneers and consignors. Also advising galleries, dealers and other luxury good businesses on their commercial terms;
• Advising lenders and borrowers looking to borrow money secured against art, cars and other luxury assets, including drafting facility letters, security documentation and liaising with counsel in foreign jurisdictions;
• Advising artists, galleries, fashion houses and collecting societies on copyright, moral right, artists' resale rights, brand protection and intellectual property exploitation;
• Drafting sales and purchase agreements of art, cars and other luxury assets and providing clients with assistance around due diligence, retention of title and delivery of the object (including ancillary documentation with shippers and customs);
• Assisting governments with drafting of laws and regulations specific to the art and luxury market, considering best practice in other jurisdictions and implementing changes that make a positive economic and cultural impact;
• Negotiating loan agreements with museums of rare and publicly important objects;
• Advising art market participants on the implementation of the anti-money laundering regulations.
• Assisting financiers and private equity funds in the establishment of regulated offerings around luxury goods; and
• Advising private collectors on the management of their collections.

Desirable Skills and Qualifications:

• A background in a well-regarded legal practice, with experience in any commercial or asset-related transactional field (i.e. corporate, commercial, banking, IP etc) with a demonstrable interest in and desire to develop expertise in the Art & Luxury field.
• Be a qualified solicitor (ideally NQ-4 PQE)
• A relevant legal qualification - law degree, or legal post-graduate qualification in a related field;
• Strong client relationship and business development skills;
• Excellent organisational and file management skills;
• Strong academic history and the ability to "think outside the box" and analyse;
• A high level of professionalism and integrity; and
• While not essential, proficiency in another language will be of interest.

Why Join the Art & Luxury Team at Wedlake Bell?

• Competitive starting salary;
• Comprehensive pension plan;
• 25 days paid holiday per annum, plus additional leave for significant life events;
• Option to purchase up to five additional days of holiday each year;
• Life Assurance and competitive income protection scheme;
• Access to Private Medical and Dental Insurance from day one;
• Enhanced parental leave policies;
• Employee Assistance Programme with face-to-face counselling services;
• Variety of staff wellbeing initiatives including Pilates classes and subsidised gym memberships; and
• And a range of bonus schemes recognizing referrals and client introductions.

We are dedicated to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace, where every individual is respected and valued. We welcome applications from all qualified candidates, irrespective of their background or personal circumstances.

If you are passionate about joining a busy team and are eager for a challenging yet fulfilling career, we encourage you to apply.