Trainee solicitor

About DACS

Established by artists for artists, DACS is passionate about transforming the financial landscape for visual artists. We work with clients across the creative industries, helping them to share art in innovative and dynamic ways.

Founded over 30 years ago, DACS campaigns globally and locally for artists’ rights, championing their sustained and vital contribution to culture, society and the creative economy. We collect and distribute royalties to visual artists and their estates from Artist’s Resale Right, Copyright Licensing and Artimage and through Payback.

Over the past year we have launched a campaign, Fair Share for Artists, that calls for the protection of Artists’ Rights. Our events have included iconic London artist Duggie Fields; Turner Prize nominee Anthea Hamilton; and we partnered with leading commercial gallery Hauser & Wirth to launch a new anthology on artists’ legacy and rights. We are delighted to confirm that the recipient of this year’s Annual Award is the acclaimed conceptual artist, Ryan Gander.

In 2015, we supported the establishment of the Art360 Foundation, which works to safeguard cultural heritage through practical archive and legacy management support for artists and their estates. The Foundation recently extended it’s work by launching a programme of bursaries for artists who have lived or worked in Scotland.

Visit dacs.org.uk and artimage.org.uk for further information.

The role

As trainee solicitor you will undertake work involving both contentious and non-contentious matters, including in the areas of copyright law, art law, commercial law, corporate governance, dispute resolution, employment law and data protection law; with the possibility of a secondment to a partner organisation to gain experience in other areas of law.

You will work closely with the head of legal to fully implement the strategic plan for the legal team and support the legal and governance teams in delivering legal services on a company-wide basis. 

Department

To deliver exceptional legal services internally and externally incorporating the strategic themes of being artist-focused, innovative and collaborative, ensuring that DACS legal risks are minimised and that legal support is available helping DACS achieve its main objective to safeguard and protect artists’ rights and revenue from copyright.

Key purpose of the role

To provide high quality legal support to DACS’ legal and governance teams, whilst developing and applying the legal practice skills necessary to qualify as a solicitor. Undertaking work involving both contentious and non-contentious matters, including work in the areas of copyright law, art law, commercial law, corporate governance, dispute resolution, employment law and data protection law; with the possibility of a secondment to a partner organisation to gain experience in other areas of law.

Responsibilities

1. Work with the head of legal to fully implement the strategic plan for the legal team and support the legal and governance teams in delivering the legal services on a company wide basis, including but not limited to, assisting with the delivery of the enforcement service, reviewing legal documents and advising on them, preparing digests of communications received by DACS, providing support in the preparation of meetings internally and externally, supporting the knowledge management at DACS.
2. Assist with the delivery of the copyright advice service to DACS’ members, providing telephone advice to members as and when required, including advice on enforcement and protection of copyright and copyright aspects of contracts.
3. Provide support to the head of legal on the delivery of the enforcement service to DACS’ copyright licensing members through the day to day handling of copyright infringement claims, including assessing and advising members on the viability of claims, collecting evidence, maintaining case files, corresponding with infringing parties, drafting letters before action and settlement agreements.
4. Provide support to the head of legal on DACS’ Artist’s Resale Right Regulations (ARRR) compliance activities including collecting evidence, maintaining case files and corresponding with art market professionals about outstanding responses to requests for information sent pursuant to ARRR and payment of outstanding resale royalties.
5. Provide support to the head of legal and company secretary on DACS’ corporate governance matters as required.
6. Provide support to the Head of Legal on regulatory compliance matters arising from the Collective Rights Management Directive and the General Data Protection Regulations.
7. Monitor and maintain the register of internal requests for legal support submitted via DACS’ intranet and respond to such requests as required, including reviewing procurement agreements, drafting commercial agreements and providing internal advice on the application of copyright exceptions, ARRR and data protection issues. 
8. Support the head of legal in the production and delivery of educational content for DACS’ website and in preparation and delivery of educational presentations to both internal colleagues and external stakeholders where appropriate.
9. Assist with the development of advice notes and articles and the maintenance of DACS’ internal legal knowledge bank.
10. Assist with DACS’ engagement with sister societies by liaising with sister societies to conclude and/or amend representation agreements and retaining good records of the same.
11. Provide support and advise on the development of new DACS service offers in the fulfilment of DACS’ strategic objectives as required.
12. Carry out legal research as required.
13. Maintain a record of training throughout the period of the training contract as evidence of experience gained and skills developed to meet the practice skills standards set by the SRA.
14. Develop and maintain a thorough personal knowledge and understanding of all domestic and European legislative developments in the field of copyright and related rights.
15. Attend and successfully complete a trainee litigation programme course before the end of the training contract if required.
16. Attend and successfully complete the professional skills course before the end of the training contract and before applying for admission to the roll of solicitors.
17. Lead by example in carrying out every day business, i.e. by complying and adhering with DACS work hours policy, professional appearance and behaviour.
18. Support a culture of cross-organisational working so as to maximise operational benefits and ensure knowledge is shared. Contribute to the overall objectives of DACS including through participation in working groups.
19. Demonstrate a commitment to the ethos and values of DACS and act as an ambassador for DACS in the art-world and related industries.
20. Demonstrate an understanding of, and a commitment to, equal opportunities and diversity.
21. Any other duty that is commensurate with the role.

This job description will be periodically reviewed to take account of changing demands of the role.

Person specification

Essential

1. A qualifying law degree achieving at least a 2.1 (or a degree and Graduate Diploma in Law)
2. Passed the Legal Practice Course (LPC)
3. Excellent written and oral communicator
4. Strong academic background
5. Good attention to detail
6. Strong IT skills; proficient in the use of Microsoft Office
7. Excellent organisational skills including planning, prioritising, timekeeping and meeting deadlines
8. A strong interest in copyright and related rights and a desire to work in-house

Desirable

1. Interested in the art-world and related sectors
2. Previous experience of working for an in-house legal team

To apply for this role, please fill out an application form which can be found here.

Please read all this information carefully before sending your completed form, CV, covering letter and equal opportunities monitoring form to: [email protected]. We are happy to accept applications in large print and audio tape formats.

The deadline for applications is 31 October 2019.