Assistant General Counsel

Full-time, Exempt

Background

Internationally recognized as a premier museum and research center, the Frick is known for its distinguished Old Master paintings and outstanding examples of European sculpture and decorative arts.

The collection originated with Henry Clay Frick (1849–1919), who bequeathed his home, paintings, sculptures, and decorative arts to the public for their enjoyment. The institution’s holdings—which encompass masterworks from the Renaissance through the nineteenth century—have grown over the decades, more than doubling in size since the opening of the museum in 1935. A critical component of the institution is the Frick Art Research Library, founded in 1920 by Helen Clay Frick, daughter of the museum’s founder. Recognized as one of the world’s top art history research centers, it has served students, scholars, and members of the public free of charge for generations.

The Frick has undergone a comprehensive renovation and was open in a temporary home, Frick Madison, from 2020 through early 2024, while renovations were underway at the mansion on 70th Street. In addition to special exhibition galleries and education spaces, we have added enhanced visitor amenities and accessible spaces. The Museum and Art Research Library reopened to the public in April.

Workplace culture

At the Frick Collection, we pride ourselves on promoting an open and welcoming workplace culture that supports work-life balance. The Frick strives to provide our employees with competitive salaries and exceptional benefits in a beautiful and pleasant work setting, while offering an excellent opportunity to appreciate some of the world’s finest works of art.

The Frick Collection  provides equal opportunity to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to personal characteristics such as race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, disability, pregnancy, genetic information, military or veteran status, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity or expression, marital and civil partnership/union status, alienage or citizenship status, creed, genetic predisposition or carrier status, unemployment status, familial status, domestic violence, sexual violence or stalking victim status, caregiver status, or other characteristics protected by law. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including, but not limited to, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.

Position Summary

The Assistant General Counsel will be part of an office of two attorneys, including the General Counsel and Assistant Secretary, to whom the role will report, and one support staff member. The Assistant General Counsel will be responsible for managing a variety of legal matters that support The Frick Collection’s operations, collections and library. Specific areas of focus include, but are not limited to: commercial contracts; providing general legal advice and counsel; developing policies and procedures; and advising on employment and benefits, intellectual property, risk management, litigation, governance, tax and the like. The Assistant General Counsel collaborates with multiple departments, including External Affairs, Finance, Operations, Curatorial, IT, the Frick Art Research Library, and Human Resources, to facilitate The Frick Collection’s mission, maintain its tax-exempt status, and uphold its legal obligations.

Responsibilities

• Advise on all aspects of day-to-day legal issues.
• Draft, review and negotiate a wide range of contracts, including, but not limited to those relating to construction and capital projects, software, hardware, donor and sponsorship, exhibition, acquisition of art works, loans of artworks, vendor, licensing, intellectual property, confidentiality, artist, commission, performance, employment and independent contractor, and the like.
• Draft memoranda, correspondence, policies and procedures, reports for various Board of Trustees and staff committees, and other documents.
• Research and advise on issues concerning intellectual property, visas, real estate, tax, exempt organizations, trusts and estates, retail and licensing, governance, labor and employment, benefit plans, litigation, risk management, data privacy, new technologies, insurance and other legal issues as may arise.
• Provide advice and training on Museum policies and procedures, compliance and ethical matters, and legal developments.
• Work with senior management and Board of Trustees in establishing and implementing museum policies and procedures.
• Advise and participate in investigations, discovery, subpoenas and other litigation-related issues.
• Perform legal research.
• Engage with and supervise outside counsel.
• Perform any other duties reasonably related to the functions described above as assigned.

• The paramount requirements for this position are a high degree of legal expertise, experience, ethics and good judgment.
• Education Requirements: Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree from an ABA accredited law school.
• Member in good standing of the State Bar of New York.
• At least 4 years of legal experience required, preferably, at least in part, with a law firm.
• Experience reviewing, drafting and negotiating construction and other capital project agreements a plus.
• Proficiency and experience in drafting and negotiating agreements, as well as advising on compliance matters.
• Strong research and analytical skills.
• Demonstrated ability to perform effectively under the pressure of frequent interruptions, conflicting demands and changing priorities. 
• Excellent written, verbal and interpersonal communication skills, capable of effectively communicating at all levels within the organization and externally.
• Strong client service orientation and skills.
• Demonstrated ability to identify potential legal issues or long-term implications of policy and legal decisions.
• Capacity to thrive in a collaborative environment and work independently with a high degree of motivation.
• Substantial expertise in at least three practice areas relevant to museums and/or non-profits, such as contracts and procurement, intellectual property, employment, development, governance, business transactions, non-profit law, risk management and insurance, or others.
• High ethical standards, reflecting honesty, integrity and reliability.
• Exceptional judgment in balancing legal risks with business strategy and establishing relationships with various constituencies.
• Willingness to develop expertise in new subject areas as needed by clients.
• Legally authorized to work in the United States for any employer.

Physical Requirements

The candidate must be able to perform the essential functions of the position and, if requested, reasonable accommodations will be made to enable employees with disabilities to perform the essential functions of their job, absent undue hardship.

Physical requirements are comparable to most office roles: the ability to interact in-person with colleagues and use common office tools and machines (computer, phone); and the ability to traverse throughout the offices and building(s) both inside and outside of the museum, and visit different levels of the building. Ability to carry/transport materials weighing up to 20 pounds.

Benefits in Employment with the Frick Collection

Paid Holidays: Full-time employees are eligible for 14 paid holidays, all federal holidays including Juneteenth, and Election Day and four floating holidays: two may be used in the first half of the calendar year, two may be used in the second half of the calendar year. 

Sick and Vacation time: Eligible full-time employees accrue up to 12 sick and 12 vacation days their first year of employment. In subsequent years, eligible full-time employees accrue up to 12 sick days and 25 vacation days/year. 

Paid Family leave: In addition to adhering to all federal family leave laws, we provide all eligible employees with paid bereavement and family leave.

Health, Dental and Vision insurance: All full-time employees and their eligible dependents may enroll in employer sponsored benefits plans. Employees contribute to the cost of health insurance based on income level and type of coverage selected. 

Short and Long Term Disability and Life Insurance: The Frick covers the entire cost of these benefits for all full-time employees. The life insurance benefit is up to three times the employee’s annual salary. 

Retirement: The Frick supports all employees in planning for retirement by offering participation in a Tax Deferred Savings Plan – 403(b) and a defined benefit pension plan. We also offer retiree health benefits for retirees and their eligible dependents. 

Wellness Programs at the Frick include an Employee Assistance Plan, a discount on Citi Bike memberships and a discount on bike helmets. 

Additional benefits include discounted Metro Cards/Transit Checks, flexible spending accounts for health, dependent care and commuting costs.

Employment Status and Compensation

The salary for this full-time exempt role is commensurate with skills and experience with a starting annual salary of $ $140,000 - $145,000.

There is no remote work option for this role; the Assistant General Counsel is required to work onsite alongside the General Counsel in our offices on the Upper East Side. 

Application Process:

All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply for vacant positions at all levels.

Apply here or  send resume and cover letter to: 

General Counsel

The Frick Collection 

1 East 70th Street

New York, NY 10021

This description shall not be construed as a contract of any sort for a specific period of employment. Benefits subject to change and may differ based on employee status.