Assistant General Counsel - Counsel's Office

About the Metropolitan Museum of Art

The Met presents over 5,000 years of art from around the world for everyone to experience and enjoy. The Museum lives in two iconic sites in New York City—The Met Fifth Avenue and The Met Cloisters. Millions of people also take part in The Met experience online.

Since its founding in 1870, The Met has always aspired to be more than a treasury of rare and beautiful objects. We are committed to fostering a collaborative and respectful work environment with a staff as diverse as the audiences we engage. Our staff members are art lovers who are passionate about working toward a common goal: creating the most dynamic and inspiring art museum in the world.

At The Met, every staff member – from security officers to researchers to scientists and beyond – lives by our core values of respect, inclusivity, collaboration, excellence, and integrity. 

Respect: Engage one another with collegiality, empathy, and kindness, always.

Inclusivity: Ensure that all are and feel welcome and valued.

Collaboration: Reach across boundaries to exchange ideas and work together toward our shared mission.

Excellence: Lead the cultural world in quality and expertise—and inspire curiosity and creativity.

Integrity: Hold ourselves to the highest moral standards, admit when we fall short, and then evolve. 

GENERAL STATEMENT OF RESPONSIBILITIES & DUTIES:

The Assistant Counsel is a member of the Museum’s in-house legal team, responsible for a variety of legal matters including reviewing and drafting exhibition contracts and maintaining corporate registrations and licenses. The Assistant Counsel will provide legal services to several Museum departments including the Exhibitions Office, the Registrar, Finance, Investments and Special Events. 

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES & DUTIES:

• Work with Exhibitions Office to review and draft exhibition contracts
• Assist Registrar’s Office with loan agreements, bailment agreements, reciprocal insurance agreements, and other matters
• Review and submit applications for Immunity from Seizure
• Analyze various import and other legal restrictions on the movement of art
• Assist the Associate Counsel with various fine art insurance issues
• Maintain corporate registrations, the Museum’s liquor license, and various other licenses
• Oversee charitable solicitation registration and annual returns
• Assist Finance Department with various banking, financing and other agreement and related resolutions, debt issuance, and the travel policy
• Assist the Investment Office by reviewing agreements, as appropriate, and providing Secretary’s certificates
• Review contracts and guidelines for events held at the Museum, including the Costume Institute Gala
• Other duties as assigned.

REQUIREMENTS & QUALIFICATIONS:

Fully vaccinated with an FDA or WHO authorized vaccine (or approved for an exemption as a reasonable accommodation due to a disability, sincerely held religious belief, or pregnancy, or because you are a victim of domestic violence, stalking, or sex offenses).

Experience and Skills:

• Minimum of 5 years of legal practice
• Strong writing and drafting skills
• Excellent public speaking and negotiating skills
• Sound judgment and a strong work ethic
• Interested and skilled in working as a part of many teams
• Able to work independently in a collaborative setting

Knowledge and Education:

• Law degree required
• Admitted to practice in New York

Application Instructions:

Please provide a cover letter with your application.

Benefits Offerings

The Museum provides competitive compensation, and generous benefits and perks for all eligible employees. Note: Benefits Offering may differ based on Employee Status.

• Medical, dental, vision and life insurance
• 403(b) basic retirement plan and optional matching retirement plan with an outstanding employer match
• Considerable paid time off, including annual leave, sick leave, and 13 Museum holidays
• Long-term disability coverage
• Flexible Spending Accounts & Health Savings Account (pre-tax income for eligible health care expenses)
• Commuter benefits (pre-tax income for parking or mass transit expenses)
• Free financial-planning services
• Financial assistance for relevant coursework, seminars, and training programs
• 25% discount for staff in Museum shops
• A subsidized staff cafeteria
• Access to the Museums Council pass, which grants free admission to various museums and cultural institutions

Research shows that women and people from underrepresented groups often apply to jobs only if they meet 100% of the qualifications. We recognize that it is highly unlikely that someone meets 100% of the qualifications for a role. If much of this job description describes you, then please apply for this role.

The Met is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. As part of this commitment, The Met will ensure that persons with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodations. If reasonable accommodation is needed in this process, please contact benefits@metmuseum.org. 

The Metropolitan Museum of Art provides equal opportunity to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, age, mental or physical disability, pregnancy, alienage or citizenship status, marital status or domestic partner status, genetic information, genetic predisposition or carrier status, gender identity, HIV status, military status and any other category protected by law in all employment decisions, including but not limited to recruitment, hiring, compensation, training and apprenticeship, promotion, upgrading, demotion, downgrading, transfer, lay-off and termination, and all other terms and conditions of employment.