General Counsel
ABOUT THE LUCAS MUSEUM OF NARRATIVE ART
Opening in September 2026, the Lucas Museum of Narrative Art is dedicated to illustrated storytelling. Founded by George Lucas and Mellody Hobson, the museum’s collection features works by artists including Norman Rockwell, Kadir Nelson, Jessie Willcox Smith, N. C. Wyeth, Beatrix Potter, Judith F. Baca, Frida Kahlo, and Maxfield Parrish; as well as comic art legends such as Winsor McCay, Jack Kirby, Frank Frazetta, Alison Bechdel, Chris Ware, and R. Crumb; and photographers Gordon Parks, Henri Cartier-Bresson, and Dorothea Lange. The Museum also houses the Lucas Archives, containing models, props, concept art, and costumes from Lucas’s filmmaking career.
Designed by Ma Yansong of MAD with a landscape by Mia Lehrer of Studio-MLA, the Museum is in Exposition Park, Los Angeles, on an 11-acre campus that includes new green space and a 300,000-square-foot building with galleries, two theaters, a library, restaurant, café, retail store, and community spaces.
POSITION SUMMARY
The Lucas Museum of Narrative Art seeks a General Counsel to lead and oversee all legal matters of the Museum. Reporting to the Chief Operating Officer, the General Counsel will serve as an integral member of the organization and a trusted advisor across the Museum.
The General Counsel will be an experienced attorney responsible for overseeing all of the Museum’s legal issues, including contract negotiations; compliance with exempt organization law; tax, trust and estate matters; intellectual property issues; employee and labor relations employment and labor law matters in close consultation with the Chief People & Culture Officer; business or other strategic agreements; and legal issues related to exhibitions, art acquisitions, dispositions, loans; and other aspects of museum and nonprofit operations.
The General Counsel will be a strategic partner to the executive team and a critical and creative thinker with strong problem-solving skills, able to devise solutions that support the Museum’s institutional goals, operational needs, and strategic initiatives. This role will provide expert legal advice, consultation, and support to the Board of Directors, Chief Executive Officer, and executive team on all legal matters.
Responsibilities
Legal Affairs and Risk Management
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Advise the Board of Directors and Museum leadership on all legal matters impacting the Museum, various ethical issues, risks and industry requirements to inform strategic decisions and ensure compliance with all applicable laws, rules and regulations, and institutional policies
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Oversee all institutional governance matters, including the conduct of Board and Committee meetings; counsel Directors on their fiduciary obligations and advise on potential conflicts of interest; draft resolutions and other Board documents as needed
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Oversee the selection, hiring and management of outside legal counsel for institutional strategic needs where specific expertise is needed
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Manage outside counsel on litigation and other matters
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Structure, review, draft, support and/or lead the negotiation of general business contracts and agreements, art related contracts, strategic partnerships, and other business agreements
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Review wills, trusts, and other gift instruments; provide guidance on gift acceptance rules and policies; and advise on fundraising rules and rules related to restricted funds, endowments, and other assets
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Provide advice and guidance on legal issues related to exhibitions and collections, including the negotiation of exhibition and loan agreements; purchase and gift agreements for the acquisition of artworks; consignment agreements for the sale of artworks; conducting provenance research with the collections departments of the museum to assess and address cultural patrimony rules and repatriation requests; and providing advice and guidance on compliance with relevant U.S. and foreign laws, permitting requirements, and customs regulations relating to importing and exporting artworks
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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; including the review of image licensing terms, copyright status determinations, rights clearance strategies, and the Museum’s use and dissemination of images in publications, marketing, digital platforms, and third‑party requests
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Advise the Chief People & Culture Officer on employment and labor‑related matters, including compliance with wage and hour laws, discrimination and harassment prevention, workplace investigations, employee relations, policy development, labor regulations, and risk associated with organizational change initiatives
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Oversee general litigation matters, work with outside counsel as needed to develop consistent litigation strategy, and respond to legal notices as appropriate
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Provide legal advice on risk management and insurance matters in close collaboration with the executive team and external legal counsel of the Museum, including general commercial liability insurance, D&O insurance, building risk insurance, fine arts insurance, cyber insurance, professional liability insurance, workers compensation, and other insurance
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Review and analyze local, national, and international laws and regulations impacting the Museum and the non-profit fields in all operational and strategic matters
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Maintain appropriate files, logs, and other documentation, to fulfill the Legal Department's role as depository for legal documentation
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Review, analyze and update risk management techniques and procedures
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Diligently observe institutional policies and procedures and recommend updates to reflect evolving best practices
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Develop solutions to complex problems where analysis of situations or data requires an in-depth evaluation of multiple factors
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Effectively challenges current processes and develops novel approaches to reflect evolving best practices
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Originate new concepts without guidance from others
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May function as a spokesperson for the organization when appropriate
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Special projects as designated by the executive leadership team
Core Competencies
Analytical Rigor: Simplifies complex problems by using critical thinking to evaluate problems, gathering information, incorporating multiple perspectives, understanding causes, and identifying best-possible solutions. Invests time in planning, discovery, and reflection to drive better decisions and more efficient implementations. Adopts an audience-centric approach, understanding the needs of the audience and incorporating them, as appropriate, into the decision.
Courageous Communication:Intentionally works well with others both on the team and cross-functionally to achieve individual, team, department, or organizational goals. Values diverse input and working with others as a way to achieve the best output possible.
Collaborative Excellence: Displays courage when handling difficult conversations and genuinely and intentionally communicates. Relays key messages effectively, targeted to specific audiences. Identifies others' communication styles and perspectives, adjusting language and approach accordingly. Employs active listening to understand, rather than reply. Asks for, integrates, and values feedback from team, peers, and leaders.
Adaptive Resilience: Thrives and grows in a rapidly changing and complex environment. Displays flexibility, activates networks, and adopts a continuous growth mindset to learn from mistakes and bounce back from adversity.
Inclusive Interaction: Actively contributes to an environment in which all employees feel a sense of belonging, valued for their differences and empowered to participate and contribute freely.
Building Trust & Relationship Management : Accountable Ownership and clearly shares information and the "why" behind decisions. Asks for and values the opinions of others. Displays empathy when listening. Acknowledges when trust has been broken and focuses on rebuilding. Relates comfortably with people across levels, functions, cultures, and geographies. Identifies interpersonal and group dynamics and reacts effectively.
Accountable Ownership: Takes ownership of outcomes, positive or negative, without blaming others within the team or cross-functionally. Recognizes when they are not approaching a situation with accountability but instead with a blame mindset. Takes accountability for assigned tasks and executes on deliverables in a timely manner.
Strategic Alignment & Execution: Contributes to the organization by understanding and aligning actions with the organization's goals, core functions, needs, and values. Seeks out and incorporates multiple perspectives, experiences, and industry trends to develop a holistic perspective. Operationalizes ideas within the business model. Displays critical thinking when faced with a challenge by asking probing questions and looking for connections.
Qualifications
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At least fifteen years of broad legal experience, including expertise in art law, transactional matters, corporate governance, exempt organization law, labor and employment law, litigation management and strategic business agreements
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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
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Experience working in complex organizations and providing sound legal advice on business affairs, such as real estate transactions, leases, debt issuances, financing documentation, etc.
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Experience at a major law firm working in corporate and business law prior to working at a museum or non-profit organizations preferred
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.
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The Lucas Museum of Narrative Art is dedicated to the art of illustrated stories. Our mission is to inspire and connect people through the exploration of visual stories and their influences in society.
VALUES
Our internal and external practices are 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 they find emotional in works of art.
Inspired: We believe that art can move you to feel, think, reflect, and act.
Collaborative: We believe that nimble thinking and working together yield exponential results.
STRATEGIC PRIORITIES
Narrative Art:
Amplify the social impact of storytelling and illustration.
Community:
Connect to a broad and diverse public.
Operational Excellence:
Create a healthy and durable institution.
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).