General Counsel at Lucas Museum of Narrative Art

Los Angeles, CA 90079

About the Job

ABOUT THE LUCAS MUSEUM OF NARRATIVE ART

As the first museum to focus exclusively on storytelling through images, the Lucas Museum of Narrative Art believes that visual storytelling can connect us and help shape a more just society. With a growing collection that encompasses artworks from across cultures, places, times, and mediums, including paintings, sculptures, murals, photography, comic art, book and magazine illustrations, and the arts of filmmaking, the Lucas Museum will explore narrative art’s potential to prompt questions, invite opinions, inspire community, and move people to think about the impact of images on our world.

Co-founded by George Lucas and Mellody Hobson and led by director and CEO Sandra Jackson-Dumont, the Lucas Museum was designed by renowned architect Ma Yansong of MAD Architects with Stantec as executive architect and is under construction in Los Angeles’s Exposition Park. An 11-acre campus with extensive new green space designed by Studio-MLA will embrace the museum’s 300,000-square-foot building, which will feature expansive galleries, two state-of-the-art theaters, and dedicated spaces for learning and engagement, dining, retail, and events.

POSITION SUMMARY

The Lucas Museum of Narrative Art seeks a General Counsel who will serve as an integral member of the Museum’s senior team. The General Counsel will be a strategic partner to the Director and the executive team and should be a critical and creative thinker, with strong problem-solving skills to devise solutions to help the Museum achieve its institutional goals, operational needs, and strategic initiatives. The Museum is a private operating foundation, and this role will provide expert professional legal and risk-management advice and consultation. The General Counsel will be an experienced attorney responsible for overseeing all legal issues including but not limited to compliance with exempt organization law; employment law and compliance; intellectual property and rights; and business and other strategic agreements. The Lucas Museum of Narrative Art is committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion, both within the Museum and with the communities that we serve.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Oversee all legal, risk, and governance issues for the Museum, including:
Advise the board, Director/CEO, and executive team on all legal matters, ethical issues, and risk and industry requirements, to inform strategic decisions and ensure compliance with applicable laws, rules and regulations; develop institutional policies
Advise the board and executive leadership on institutional governance matters, including the conduct of Board and Committee meetings; counsel directors on their fiduciary obligations, conflicts of interest and other issues; draft resolutions and other Board documents
Oversee the selection, hiring, and management of outside legal counsel where specific expertise is needed
Structure, review, draft, support and lead the negotiation of museum contracts and agreements, art related contracts, strategic partnerships, and other business agreements
Advise on legal issues related to fundraising, gifts, exhibitions and collections, provenance, compliance with U.S. and foreign laws, intellectual property matters, insurance, risk management, data security and privacy, and other legal areas affecting museum operations and strategy
Review gift instruments; draft and guide gift acceptance policies; and advise on fundraising IRS compliance and AG requirements related to restricted funds, endowments, and other financial, tangible and real estate assets
Provide guidance and advice on intellectual property matters and licenses related to objects in the collection and on loans to the Museum or any other intellectual property; supervise Rights & Reproduction function and staff
Establish the systems, protocols and interdependent functions that will provide the foundation for the Museum’s legal, compliance, and risk management systems across departments
Oversee litigation matters, working with outside counsel as needed
Provide legal advice on risk management and insurance matters in close collaboration with the executive team and external legal counsel, including general commercial liability insurance, D&O insurance, building risk insurance, fine arts insurance, cyber insurance, professional liability insurance, workers compensation, and other insurance
Maintain appropriate files, logs, and other documentation, to fulfill the Legal Department's role as depository for legal documentation
Diligently observe institutional policies and procedures and recommend updates to reflect evolving best practices
Special projects as designated by the Director and CEO

QUALIFICATIONS

Education & Experience
Juris Doctorate degree from an ABA accredited law school and member in good standing of the California State bar
At least ten years of broad legal experience, including expertise in at least some of the following: art law, transactional matters, corporate governance, exempt organization law, cyber and privacy, construction, labor and employment law, and litigation management
Broad legal background and experience that enables the General Counsel to address the complex and difficult legal issues from day-to-day operations and strategic needs of the Museum
Experience working in complex organizations and providing sound legal advice on business affairs, such as real estate transactions, leases, debt issuances, financing documentation, etc.
Experience at a major law firm working in corporate and business law prior to working at a museum or nonprofit organizations preferred
Skills
Strong communication skills, both written and oral, including the ability to communicate complex concepts effectively with all levels of management and the Board
Strong interpersonal and leadership skills with proven ability to build strong working relationships at all levels of management as well as with external stakeholders
Exceptional professional judgment and confidentiality
Strong commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion in the museum’s workforce, policies, and programming
Comfort working in a complex, dynamic, and fast-paced environment under pressure, and capable of effectively managing a wide-ranging workload with shifting priorities
Collegial and collaborative work style, with the ability to interact with colleagues in a constructive and responsive manner and to mediate effectively among internal and external colleagues
Knowledge
Ability to create and maintain positive relationships, internally and externally, and a diplomatic, creative resolution of conflicts
Ability to represent the Museum with both internal and external stakeholders
Amicable and confident advisor to the Museum’s senior leadership and Board of Directors

LEADERSHIP CAPABILITIES

Technical Legal Skills

The candidate should possess demonstrated outstanding legal talent with an understanding of the legal and policy issues facing a new cultural institution and the initiative to anticipate areas or problems of concern and work to find solutions. Preference for a lawyer with experience working in a museum or relevant cultural institution, a law firm working for cultural institution clients, or other relevant organization. Experience counseling cultural institution leadership on complex legal issues and the ability to address compliance with the full range of applicable laws, regulations, rules, and policies that affect the Museum’s activities.

Collaborative Leadership

The candidate should thrive in a complex, dynamic and fast-paced environment under pressure and possess a demonstrated ability to meet challenges with composure, employing the highest standard of ethics and personal integrity. The candidate should demonstrate excellent judgment and a track record of serving as a key member of a leadership team. The Museum is seeking a lawyer who is sensitive to and understands the special nature of working in a new museum where the need for a collegial and collaborative working style, flexibility, adaptability, and patience are critical to success; a lawyer who can gain credibility and work with and successfully advise Museum leaders in decision-making; a lawyer who sees the big picture, is practical, and who will bring energy to the position as well as a passion for the Museum’s mission. The candidate must exercise confidentiality and discretion. Trust is an essential component in these relationships, as it is with the broader set of Museum stakeholders.

Strategic and Entrepreneurial Thinking

The candidate should be a strategic thinker who can move fluidly between the big picture and details, who will bring pragmatism, a sense of urgency, a bias toward action, and a passion for the Museum’s mission. This person will understand the Museum’s mandate and can counsel leaders on how to achieve the institution’s agenda while best mitigating associated risk. The candidate will have a service mentality, implementing systems and structures to support clients with their legal questions and needs while also having the courage of their own convictions and is willing to articulate contrary but well-reasoned positions in appropriate situations. The successful candidate will have a strong commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion in the museum’s workforce, policies, and programming.

$240,000 - $277,000 a year

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY AND OUR COMMITMENT TO DEAIB

The Lucas Museum of Narrative Art embraces diversity and equal opportunity. We are committed to building a team that represents and supports a variety of backgrounds and perspectives. The Lucas Museum fosters a work environment that is free of discrimination and harassment, whether based on race, national origin, gender, gender expression, religion, ethnic background, age, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, or any other criterion prohibited by applicable federal, state, or local laws. We believe that diversity and inclusion among our team is critical to our success, and we seek to recruit, develop, and retain the best qualified people from a diverse candidate pool. Applications from traditionally underrepresented communities are encouraged.

The statements in this description represent typical elements, criteria, and general work performed. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required for the job.

MISSION AND VISION

We are a museum dedicated to the art of storytelling. Through visual storytelling the Lucas Museum expands the role of art and museums for society. The Museum inspires thought provoking ideas and conversations that are relevant within and beyond geographic boundaries. Our work radiates to catalyze more connected and empathetic spaces. The art of storytelling connects us to shape a more just society.

VALUES

Our internal and external practice is shaped by the following beliefs and behaviors.

PEOPLE FIRST

We meet people wherever they are (physically, intellectually, emotionally). Our inclusive practice connects who people are and what people find meaningful, to works of art and the work of our organization.

INSPIRED

We believe that art can move you to feel, think, reflect, and act.

COLLABORATIVE

We believe that nimble thinking and working together yields exponential results.

BRAVE

We approach our work and learning with courage, creativity, curiosity, and a sense of adventure.

4 STRATEGIC PRIORITIES

ART

Amplify the social impact of Narrative Art through an approach that bridges the academic and the popular.

COMMUNITY

Connect to a broad and diverse public by creating an institution rooted in impactful, respectful, sustainable relationships.

INCLUSION

Practice diversity, equity, inclusion, accessibility and belonging in all operational and programmatic aspects of our work.

OPERATIONAL EXCELLENCE

Create a healthy and durable institution equipped to fulfill its vision and public mandate.

All staff at the Lucas Museum of Narrative Art lead through a deep commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, both within the Museum and with the communities that we serve.

Salary and titles will be assigned commensurate to the successful candidates’ education and experience. An attractive compensation package will be offered to the successful candidate(s).

Pursuant to the Lucas Museum of Narrative Art’s COVID-19 Mandatory Vaccination Policy, the museum requires all new hires to provide proof of COVID-19 vaccination as a condition of employment absent an approved medical and/or religious exemption. Upon hire, all new hires will receive detailed instructions on complying with this policy. Federal, state, or local public health directives may impose additional requirements.

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