Legal Assistant / Paralegal

About Bonhams

Bonhams is a premier global auction house with an 18th century heritage and poised for transformative change. Our global operations are based in London, New York, Los Angeles, Paris, and Hong Kong, with a total of 14 salerooms across Europe, North America and Asia, where we sell in over 60 collecting categories, including fine and decorative art, motorcars, jewelry, and entertainment memorabilia.

It is an exciting time for our business and our global team of art world professionals. Our colleagues are passionate about their work, and we pride ourselves on a bespoke approach that aims to bring our legacy, specialist knowledge and vision to every client and to the next generation of collectors.

Bonhams is an Equal Opportunity Employer. As part of our commitment to fight for equality, we work to ensure a fair and consistent interview process. We celebrate diversity and we are committed to an inclusive work environment.

About the Role

We are seeking an exceptionally organized, intellectually curious, tech-savvy Legal Assistant/Paralegal. Based in New York, this role will support the General Counsel and work with the Staff Counsel within our established legal team. The ideal candidate will possess sharp focus and a track record of mastering new software tools. You will investigate and integrate legal matter management and automation tools. The successful candidate will exhibit sound analytical thinking and bring projects to fruition. Our team operates within the vibrant environment of an international auction house, handling an unusually diverse array of legal matters. This position offers an unparalleled opportunity to be part of a legal team at the forefront of the auction industry.

Key Tasks and Responsibilities

Compliance

• Responsible for Regulatory Tracker, including maintaining a portfolio of entity qualifications and federal, state and local operational and occupational business licenses and permits.
• Prepare and file annual reports, foreign qualifications, license/permit applications and renewals, and routinely handle licensing and permitting matters.
• Maintain legal entity governance documentation.
• Conduct legal research on a variety of federal and state regularity matters relevant to multi-state and cross-border auction business and operations.

Legal Department Operations

• Identify and implement new software tools and processes for matter intake and document automation for business users.
• Develop checklists and workflows for compliance and commercial matters.
• Organize and maintain the legal department library, including company policies, corporate records, commercial forms, and reference files.
• Update legal department template documents and maintain department trackers.
• Provide administrative support to the legal department.

Transactional Work and Dispute Resolution

• Assist in the preparation and drafting of basic legal documents and correspondence.
• Word processing edits to documents from both specific and conceptual comments.
• Work with attorneys and specialist departments to collect and analyze documentation for transactions, document productions, investigating claims and dispute resolution.
• Perform legal and basic research, summarize findings and issues, and assist with matter management.

In addition to the tasks and responsibilities listed, you may be required to perform other duties as assigned by the General Counsel.  

Key Skills and Attributes

• Bachelor’s degree with outstanding academic credentials and/or corporate legal experience.
• Strong computer technical skills and ability to learn new software.
• High proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and PDF creation tool(s) is required.
• Experienced in business entity maintenance, developing and implementing controls and processes, and coordinating transactional documents with attention to detail.
• Ability to manage tasks independently, prioritize competing demands, and work soundly under pressure without compromising quality.
• Strong work ethic, analytical reasoning and collaborative skills.
• Exemplary personal and professional integrity with a keen grasp of the importance of confidentiality and discretion.

Additional Desired Qualities

• Experience in the following areas is a plus: corporate governance; regulatory compliance; business licensing.
• Experience with the following software, tools and/or databases is a plus: PandaDoc/DocuSign, contract/legal matter management software, document management and contract automation tools, CSC/CT, Lexis/Westlaw, PACER.

About You

• Meticulously organized, remarkably accurate, detail-focused, and process-driven.
• Intellectually curious, enjoy learning new skills and solving puzzles - especially as applies to software and technology.
• In your element working closely with a small team, diligent, and want to learn the “why” and build institutional knowledge.
• Motivated to take ownership of responsibilities.
• A results-oriented creative thinker and analytical problem-solver.

Bonhams participates in E-Verify.

Applicants who best match the position needs will be contacted.

Please apply online through the link below.