Posting DetailsPosition Information
Position Title Associate General Counsel
Department General Counsel - 128
Position Summary The Museum's Office of General Counsel (OGC) is seeking a full-time Associate General Counsel to report to the Senior Vice President, General Counsel, and Secretary. The Associate General Counsel will work closely with the other two attorneys in the OGC, the Director and Associate Director of Compliance, and with other members of the OGC staff to provide legal advice across all departments of the Museum on a range of matters, including litigation; regulatory compliance; insurance claims; construction and facilities; contracts; licenses; intellectual property; museum collections; international, domestic, and Native American/Native Hawaiian repatriation; and other matters as they arise. The OGC additionally provides legal and governance advice to the American Museum of Natural History Planetarium Authority, a New York public-benefit corporation created in 1933.
Job duties include, but are not limited to:
- Provide pre-litigation and litigation support for disputes involving the Museum and advise on other litigation-related matters, including subpoena responses, motion practice, federal and state civil procedure, settlement negotiations, and deposition preparation.
- Oversee and manage external counsel including for litigation and other dispute resolution and compliance advice, while helping to craft strategy and managing cost-efficient spend.
- Oversee legally privileged internal investigations.
- Support Museum collections-related matters, including repatriation, licensing, and collections access.
- Draft and negotiate a variety of business agreements, including software licenses, facilities/construction agreements, independent contractor engagements, and other general business matters and bespoke contractual arrangements.
- Oversee and advise on government relations-related matters, including lobbying compliance, public benefit corporations, federal grants compliance, and export controls.
- Support agency violation resolutions.
The successful candidate may not have experience in every category listed above, but must have the curiosity and ability to learn new areas of the law with speed and agility, and to work collaboratively with a small team. They must also have the ability to clearly communicate legal issues and risk to colleagues at all levels of the organization (including senior leadership), work on tight deadlines on multiple matters at once, demonstrate wise judgement, and have excellent written and oral communication skills.
The expected salary range for the Associate General Counsel is $230,000/annual - $250,000/annual. The AMNH offers an extensive benefits package designed to meet the needs of our dedicated staff.
Pay will be determined based on several factors. The hiring range for the position at commencement is based on the type of work and the scope of responsibilities. The salary and placement offered is based on a number of individualized factors, including, but not limited to, skills, knowledge, training, education, credentials, areas of specialization, and depth and scope of experience.
Minimum Qualifications - J.D. from an accredited law school.
- Seven years relevant training/experience.
- Admission to the New York State Bar or ability to gain admission within one year of employment.
Preferred Qualifications - Experience practicing as a lawyer in a law firm.
- Experience practicing law in-house.
- Experience working directly with clients.
- Federal clerkship and/or general litigation experience, including document production and discovery management, motion practice, and research.
- Experience drafting a variety of business agreements.
- Experience working for or with educational institutions, non-profit organizations, or museums.
Physical Demands - Must be able to remain in a stationary position (sitting or standing) for prolonged periods.
- Must be able to move about the Museum campus.
Category Full-Time
Total Number of Scheduled Hours Per Pay Period 70
Union Status Non-Union
FLSA Exempt
Expected Salary Minimum $230,000/annual
Expected Salary Maximum $250,000/annual
Quick Link https://careers.amnh.org/postings/4888
Posting Detail Information
Posting Number GS1038P
Open Date 08/12/2026
Close DateOpen Until Filled Yes
Special Instructions to Applicants 
