Legal Associate

Today, through its exceptionally crafted books, home fragrances, and objets d’art, Assouline invites the intellectual and curious into a world of beauty. Here, we invite you to learn the history of the brand, which was founded in Paris in 1994 by Prosper and Martine Assouline.

Assouline has published over 1,500 luxury titles across international markets on subjects including architecture, art, design, fashion, gastronomy, lifestyle, photography, and travel.

POSITION SUMMARY

The Legal Associate oversees the drafting, negotiation, and management of contracts, ensuring legal compliance, risk mitigation, and adherence to corporate governance standards. The position supports intellectual property, rights management, royalties, and international commercial matters across the full lifecycle of publishing projects. The Legal Associate also leads trademark registration and online brand protection efforts, handles brand-related and HR-related litigation, and serves as the primary liaison with external legal counsel.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

• Contract Review and Management:
• Draft, review, and negotiate a wide range of commercial contracts, including vendor agreements, service contracts, nondisclosure agreements, and licensing agreements.
• Draft, review, and negotiate publishing-specific agreements, including author agreements, photographer and contributor agreements, image licensing and clearance agreements, work-made-for-hire and rights assignment agreements, and related publishing documentation.
• Ensure contracts comply with applicable laws, regulations, and internal policies.
• Identify and mitigate legal and business risks in contract terms and conditions.
• Maintain and update contract templates to reflect current legal standards and organizational needs.
• Coordinate closely with Finance and the Partnership team on royalty structures, revenue participation, payment schedules, audit rights, accounting periods, and reporting obligations, ensuring contractual alignment with internal financial systems and controls.
• Administer and monitor contract approval processes, ensuring proper authorization and adherence to delegation of authority policies.
• Own the full lifecycle of contracts from drafting and negotiation through execution, amendments, renewals and post-execution compliance.
• Reporting Oversight:
• Oversee the preparation and submission of reports related to contract performance, compliance, and obligations.
• Develop and implement processes to streamline reporting workflows and improve efficiency.
• Coordinates closely with the Finance team on contract-related financial terms and information.
• Legal Support and
  
  Collaboration:
• Provide legal guidance to business units on contract-related matters, ensuring alignment with strategic objectives.
• Work closely with cross-functional teams to support corporate agreements and other strategic initiatives.
• Stay updated on relevant legal developments and industry trends to advise on best practices.
• Advise internal stakeholders on operational legal matters related to production, printing, logistics, delivery terms (including Ex Works and other Incoterms), inspection periods, reorders, reprints, amendments, and risk-of-loss provisions throughout the lifecycle of publishing projects.
• Support international commercial agreements involving cross-border transactions, multi-currency payment structures, foreign governing law provisions, and global distribution arrangements.
• Manages trademark registrations and renewals, with the support of external trademark counsel.
• Oversees online brand protection, in coordination with an external agency.
• Manages brand-related litigation and enforcement actions.
• Oversees the legal aspects of HR-related litigation, in close coordination with the HR Director.
• Manages relationships with external legal counsels.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & QUALIFICATIONS

• Juris Doctorate degree required; licensed to practice law in at least one jurisdiction.
• 2
  -5 years of experience of corporate law, with a focus on contract drafting, review, and management.
• Strong understanding of contract law, commercial transactions, and corporate governance in the Publishing or manufacturing industry.
• Demonstrated experience with intellectual property, content-related agreements, rights management, and publishing or media-related contracts preferred.
• Strong research, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
• Proficiency in legal research tools and software.
• Excellent written and verbal communication abilities.
• Demonstrated ability to maintain confidentiality and exercise sound judgment in handling sensitive information.
• Proven ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines with meticulous attention to detail.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a team-oriented environment.

Assouline is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other…