---
title: 'Paralegal at Sotheby''s'
canonical: 'https://feeny.ai/job/paralegal-sotheby-s-london-1792mmkcxe55'
type: 'job'
last_seen: '2026-11-02'
---

# Paralegal at Sotheby's

- **Company:** Sotheby's
- **Location:** London, United Kingdom
- **Posted:** 2026-10-26
- **Last confirmed live:** 2026-11-02
- **Apply:** https://job-boards.greenhouse.io/sothebys/jobs/6234980004

## Job description

## ABOUT SOTHEBY'S

Established in 1744, Sotheby’s promotes access and ownership of exceptional art and luxury objects through auctions, private sales and retail. Our deep expertise across 70 selling categories is supported by a leading technology platform and a global network of specialists spanning 40 countries. Selling categories include Contemporary Art, Modern and Impressionist Art, Old Masters, Chinese Works of Art, Jewelry, Watches, Wine and Spirits and Design, as well as collectible cars and real estate through RM Sotheby’s and Concierge. Sotheby’s Financial Services is a leading art lender and provides capital solutions for collectors around the world, having originated more than $12 billion in loans since its inception. Sotheby’s new global headquarters is now open at the iconic Breuer building at 945 Madison Avenue in New York City.

## THE ROLE

We are seeking a highly organised, proactive and meticulous paralegal to join our global Legal Department in London on a six-month fixed-term contract. Depending on business needs, there may be an opportunity to extend the contract or for a longer-term role to become available.

The successful candidate will play a central role in supporting the governance and administration of Sotheby's Board of Directors and its large global portfolio of legal entities. The role works closely with our team’s Deputy General Counsel and other team members based in London and New York. The successful candidate will help ensure that Sotheby’s corporate records, governance processes and legal entities are maintained to the highest standards of accuracy. Auditors, banks, regulators and the Board rely on these records.

The role offers broad exposure to corporate governance, company secretarial matters, entity management, treasury and financing activities, and strategic corporate projects. It will involve managing complex information, coordinating across jurisdictions and engaging with senior internal and external stakeholders.

6-Month Fixed-Term Contract (Immediate Start) | Hybrid — London (3 days in-office: currently set as Monday–Wednesday)

Ability to hybrid work from home is subject to the employee having a suitable home working environment in which the confidentiality of Sotheby's information can be maintained. The role can be performed in office 5 days per week if needed or preferred.

## RESPONSIBLITIES

Corporate Governance & Company Secretarial Support

- Support the governance and administration of Sotheby’s global portfolio of subsidiaries and affiliated entities.
- Coordinate board and committee meetings across multiple jurisdictions, including scheduling meetings, preparing agendas and board materials, and maintaining meeting records.
- Draft and maintain board minutes, written resolutions, shareholder resolutions, powers of attorney and other governance documentation, and check them carefully against source documents before circulation.
- Assist with director and officer appointments, resignations and related corporate changes.
- Maintain statutory registers, corporate records and governance databases.
- Prepare Companies House filings, and coordinate overseas corporate filings and regulatory submissions with local teams and external service providers, tracking each to completion.
- Assist with governance-related projects, including legal entity rationalisations, restructurings and other corporate initiatives.

Entity Management

- Maintain accurate records relating to Sotheby’s global legal entity structure, including organisational charts, ownership information and governance records.
- Respond to requests for corporate information and entity documentation from auditors, banks, regulators, tax advisers and internal stakeholders.
- Support inbound shareholder KYC, beneficial ownership and other shareholder-related requests.

Corporate Legal Team Support

- Support treasury, financing, M&A and other projects undertaken by the Corporate Legal team.
- Assist with due diligence exercises and information requests.
- Manage document execution processes, including electronic and wet-ink signatures, signing packs and closing sets.
- Maintain legal templates, governance precedents and trackers.
- Assist with legal operations, including legal billing administration.

## IDEAL EXPERIENCE & COMPETENCIES

- Experience as a paralegal or company secretarial assistant, or within a compliance or corporate services team, at a law firm, corporate services provider or in-house legal department.
- A demonstrable record of accuracy and attention to detail in preparing documents and maintaining records.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications, in particular Word and Excel.
- Experience supporting corporate governance, company secretarial or entity management activities.
- Experience with UK Companies House filings and statutory registers.
- Experience with entity management, board portal, document management and electronic signature platforms.

## HOW TO APPLY

Please submit your CV together with a cover letter of no more than one page. The letter should set out which aspects of the role best match your experience. Please include the reference “Corporate Paralegal” in the subject line of your application. To view our Candidate Privacy Notice for the US, please [click here](https://www.sothebys.com/en/docs/pdf/candidate-privacy-notice.pdf).

To view our Candidate Privacy Notice for the UK, Hong Kong, France and Switzerland, please [click here](https://www.sothebys.com/en/docs/pdf/final-v1-sothebys-recruitment-privacy-notice-uk-hk-france-and-switzerland-31-january-2022.pdf?locale=en).

The Company is an equal opportunity employer and considers all applicants for employment without regard to race (including, without limitation, traits historically associated with race, such as natural hair, hair texture, and protective and treated or untreated hairstyles), color, creed, religion, sex, sexual orientation, marital or civil partnership/union status, national origin, age, disability, pregnancy, genetic predisposition, genetic information, reproductive health decision, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, alienage or citizenship status, domestic violence victim status, military or veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state/province or local law. The Company complies with applicable state and local laws prohibiting discrimination in employment in every jurisdiction in which it operates.

## About Sotheby's

## Company Overview
- **One-liner**: Sotheby’s is the world’s premier destination for art and luxury, providing access to exceptional objects through auctions, private sales, and e-commerce.
- **Entity Type**: Private (acquired by Patrick Drahi in 2019)
- **Headquarters**: New York City, USA (global headquarters at the Breuer building, 945 Madison Avenue) with a network spanning 40 countries
- **Founded**: 1744
- **Founders**: Samuel Baker (first auction under his name on 11 March 1744)

## Core Business
- Primary industry: Fine art and luxury auction house, art marketplace, and art-related financial services.
- Target customers: Collectors, art enthusiasts, institutions, and luxury consumers (B2C and B2B).
- Mission/purpose: “Promotes access to and ownership of exceptional art and luxury objects” and believes in the transformative power of art and culture, committed to inclusivity, sustainability, and collaboration.

## Products & Services
- **Auctions**: Live and hybrid digital auctions across 70 categories including Contemporary Art, Modern and Impressionist Art, Old Masters, Chinese Works of Art, Jewelry, Watches, Wine and Spirits, Design, collectible cars (via RM Sotheby’s), and real estate (via Concierge Auctions).
- **Private Sales**: Direct, confidential sales for clients seeking discretion.
- **BuyNow Marketplace**: E-commerce platform for immediate purchase of art and luxury items.
- **Sotheby’s Financial Services**: Art lending and capital solutions; has originated more than $12 billion in loans since inception.
- **Sotheby’s Advisory**: Strategic advisory for collectors and institutions.
- **Sotheby’s Institute**: Educational programs on art business and connoisseurship.

## Market Standing
- **Valuation**: Not publicly disclosed (privately held).
- **Key Metric**: Annual worldwide sales turnover in excess of $7 billion (as of recent reports).
- **Notable Investors/Partners**: Owned by Patrick Drahi (media and telecom entrepreneur). No other major external investors disclosed.
- **Growth Signals**: First auction house to successfully shift to hybrid digital auction format during the pandemic; pioneered AI and scientific research in-house; expanded to 40 countries with 80 offices; continues to innovate with mobile and web experiences.

## Competitive Advantages
- **Heritage & Trust**: Oldest and largest internationally recognised fine art auction house (since 1744).
- **Global Reach**: Network of specialists in 40 countries and 80 offices covering 70 categories.
- **Innovation Track Record**: First to hold auctions in Asia (1973), first to use satellite bidding (1960s), first to sell a work for over $100 million (2004), and early adopter of e-commerce (2000) and AI (2018).
- **Integrated Services**: Only full-service art financing company (Sotheby’s Financial Services) combined with auctions, private sales, and retail.

## Strategic Focus
- Digital transformation and hybrid auction formats to capture online sales growth.
- Expansion into new luxury categories (e.g., collectible cars, real estate) and geographies (e.g., China).
- Deepening client relationships through data-driven insights and personalized experiences.
- Commitment to diversity, equity, and sustainability as core values.

## Why Work Here
- **Culture**: Entrepreneurial, client-first, passionate, and innovative. Values include “dream big, challenge the status quo, relentlessly pursue innovation.”
- **Diversity & Inclusion**: Strong commitment to equality and diverse backgrounds; endorsed by senior management.
- **Benefits**: Competitive compensation, health/dental/vision insurance, fertility and growing family support, 401(k) with company match, paid parental leave, gym reimbursement, education assistance, and access to world-class art museums and galleries.
- **Work Environment**: Hybrid/remote options available for some roles (e.g., Payroll Manager listed as New York/Remote). Offices in major cities globally.
- **Growth**: Internal mobility encouraged; opportunities for cross-functional exposure through Internship, Associates, and Mobility programs.

## Sources
1. [sothebys.com](https://www.sothebys.com/en/about) – About Us page (company description, mission, values)
2. [sothebys.com](https://www.sothebys.com/en/about/careers) – Careers page (benefits, values, social impact)
3. [sothebys.com](https://www.sothebys.com/en/about/our-history) – History page (founding, key milestones, acquisition by Drahi, sales turnover)
4. [greenhouse.io](https://job-boards.greenhouse.io/sothebys/jobs/5988535004) – Job listing page (global headquarters location, financial services stats, office locations)
5. [sothebys.com](https://www.sothebys.com/en/) – Homepage (overview of categories and services)

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