The Firm

Mishcon de Reya is an independent law firm, which now employs more than 900 people with over 550 lawyers offering a wide range of legal services to companies and individuals.

Based in London and Singapore, the firm services an international community of clients and provides advice in situations where the constraints of geography often do not apply. The work it undertakes is cross-border, multi-jurisdictional and complex, spanning six core practice areas: Corporate; Dispute Resolution; Employment; Intellectual Property; Private; and Real Estate.

Mishcon de Reya has grown rapidly in recent years, showing more than 70% revenue growth in the past five years alone. In 2015, the firm moved into a purpose designed building on Kingsway, and has converted to both an alternative business structure and LLP.

Mishcon de Reya prides itself on the diverse range of people who make up the Firm. The central role played by the Academy, the firm's in-house place of learning, development and new thinking, and its active and innovative social impact strategy are reflected in its Investors in People Platinum standard.

The Department

At Mishcon Private, we have a deep understanding of the dynamics and politics of families, family businesses and personal relationships. We understand the issues our clients face and what keeps them awake at night. We know that their concerns go far beyond money and wealth preservation: family issues, reputation, their home, the things they love, or their legacy are far more important. Our business is protecting them, their interests and the things that matter most to them.

Our team at Mishcon Private comprises art, reputation, property, immigration, tax and wealth planning specialists, alongside tenacious litigators who are highly experienced at dealing with both family and business disputes and complex multi-jurisdictional cases. We provide practical and inventive solutions, combining our legal expertise with commercial, real world advice. If disputes cannot be avoided, we endeavour to resolve them with minimum fuss.

The Group

Founded in 1995, our specialist art law practice was the first of its kind. Today, as a leader in this field, we have a presence in almost every conceivable aspect of the art market and our clients include international collectors, artists, dealers, art institutions, art foundations, museums, galleries, governments and auction houses.

We understand that collecting art and artefacts can be a lifetime passion. But owning, managing and creating art brings obligations and responsibilities, such as reputation and legacy, the protection of cultural heritage and financial planning.

Art and antiques are also international business. They transcend national boundaries, moving around the world as they are bought, sold, exhibited and loaned. Art provokes political debate and attracts media attention, yet those who handle it are reliant on trust and discretion.

Our non-contentious work includes complex international cross-jurisdictional transactions covering a wide range of commercial agreements, creation of art funds and other art investment structures, and advice on anti-money laundering regulations. Our contentious work includes advising on cases of defective title, provenance, authenticity, attribution and reputation as well as criminal and fraudulent aspects of art.

Specialist services range from advice on sale, purchase, loan, consignment and financing of art to exploitation and protection of copyright and cultural heritage issues.

The team has established an extensive international network of art world contacts and a close association with other specialist art lawyers worldwide. Our history of successes in high profile, politically sensitive matters reflects an ability to act swiftly and with the utmost discretion.

Job Profile

An opportunity has arisen to join our Art Law practice for a litigator with a specialism in Art Law and Luxury Assets (ideally 2-3 year PQE). Applications are particularly welcomed from established litigators who operate within the art market, with an appetite and commitment to our specialism.

The Role

In the context of the above job profile, successful candidates are expected:

• To manage all client work allocated by the Partners and other solicitors within the Group and sometimes across the wider Department.
• To ensure that all client work is progressed in a timely fashion and that the client is kept regularly informed on progress and costs.
• At all times to exercise high standards of client care in a professional and pleasant manner.
• To demonstrate excellent written and interpersonal skills in order to meet the drafting and presentation aspects of the role.
• To ensure the confidentiality and security of all of the Firm's client documentation and information.
• To demonstrate excellent organisational and prioritising skills to meet the demands of challenging and commercial internal and external clients.
• To demonstrate a willingness to support clients and go that extra mile for them.
• To achieve agreed levels of billing and time recording.

Skills/Attributes

• Candidates should be commercial, creative legal thinkers and litigators wanting to develop a business, who are able to approach matters both from a legal as well as a commercial perspective.
• Proven commitment and interest in the art market and this specialist area of law.
• Ability to adopt politically sensitive matters act swiftly and with the utmost discretion.
• Suitable candidates will demonstrate a degree of entrepreneurial flair and gravitas in order to flourish in our dynamic working environment.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills are a pre-requisite as are organisational and client care skills.
• Candidates will be naturally self-motivated, enthusiastic and possess a positive attitude towards challenges and change.
• Candidates will need to be able to inspire the trust and confidence of clients and senior colleagues and possess a willingness to undertake business development activities both internally and externally.
• Strong case management experience and first hand exposure to high net-worth private clients is essential.
• Strong technical knowledge and analytical skills.
• An ability to deal with clients in a sensitive, professional and competent way.
• Commercial and driven with an interest in business development and marketing activities.
• Excellent attention to detail, listening skills and organisational skills.
• Ability to effectively manage own workload.
• Ability to communicate effectively with people at all levels and develop strong relationships both with clients and colleagues across the firm.
• Personable and confident, with the ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Resilient and calm under pressure.
• Demonstrates a pragmatic and flexible approach with the ability to think laterally with a desire to learn and a natural curiosity in the world around them.

No Agencies

Please note that this job profile is not an exhaustive list of duties but merely an outline of the key components of the role. You may be required by your line manager to take on additional responsibilities when requested.

Diversity & Inclusion lie at the heart of our core values. At Mishcon de Reya, our aim is to promote and foster a culture which embraces diversity, respect for the individual and the expression of talent, to empower individuals to fulfil their, and the firm's, potential. In order to support this, we recognise the importance of flexible and agile working and are open to having conversations on how this could work for you and our business.