General Counsel Intern

Sfmoma • San Francisco, CA

1d • $7,000 - $7,000 • Onsite

About The Position

The San Francisco Museum of Modern Art is one of the largest museums of modern and contemporary art in the United States and a thriving cultural center for the Bay Area. We cannot imagine life without art; it inspires and connects us every day. Now more than ever, these connections matter and are aligned with our values. Inclusive: We strive to be a museum of many voices in dialogue. Passionate : We believe working with art is more than a job or trusteeship - it's a way of life. Brave : We are committed to approaching our work with courage and a sense of adventure, always ready to explore new perspectives. Empathic : We aim to act like a person, not an institution. SFMOMA is a place for the infinitely curious to explore, support, and experience the art of our time. We believe that modern and contemporary art can influence the way we think, view the world, and embrace the many voices and perspectives around us. We aspire to foster an environment that elicits joy, nurtures a sense of belonging and purpose—where difference is seen as a strength, and every one is appreciated for their whole self. Schedule : Full Time, 35 hours/week, Monday, June 15 - Friday, August 14, at least three days working onsite Department Description The General Counsel serves as legal counsel to the Museum. This team negotiates, prepares, and reviews complex contracts and legal memoranda; identifies and analyzes legal and strategic issues affecting the Museum's operations and programs; drafts policies for the Museum; advises on litigation matters; advises on the development and revision of institutional policies; advises the Board of Trustees on matters related to governance; and analyzes a broad range of federal, state, and local laws/regulations and policies that affect the Museum's operations, collections, exhibitions, programs, staffing, fundraising, and capital projects. The General Counsel supervises the internal legal work for the Museum and also oversees the work of the Museum’s outside counsel. The General Counsel reports to the Museum Director and is a member of the Museum's Executive Team. Position Description SFMOMA is seeking one first-year or second-year law student for a full-time legal internship working with the Museum's General Counsel on a broad range of legal research, writing, and contractual, and drafting assignments for the Museum. The General Counsel Intern will gain an understanding of legal issues in museum administration including: copyright, trademark, labor, employment, governance, tax, contracts, and fine arts insurance issues. The General Counsel Intern can expect to gain hands-on, real-world experience drafting legal memoranda, contracts, conducting legal research, attending client meetings, and other applicable hearings/court matters. Project Plan During the 9-week internship program the General Counsel Intern will: · Work closely with the General Counsel and Assistant General Counsel in drafting legal memoranda and museum contracts, conduct legal research, attend client meetings and other applicable hearings/court matters based on current museum needs. · Complete an in-depth, legal research and writing project. · Draft a full vendor agreement, or other standard museum contract, from beginning to end. · Draft and amend museum contracts for a broad variety of museum departments. · Gain experience communicating legal advice to in-house clients. · Attend regular intern programs and presentations at the Museum to further understanding of museum careers and the context of the Museum’s legal work. Educational Objectives · To gain understanding of legal issues in museum administration, including, for example, copyright, trademark, labor, employment, governance, tax, contracts, and fine arts insurance issues. · To sharpen legal research, writing/drafting, and communication skills. · To gain practical experience in transactional and litigation matters. Additional Internship Programming The Summer 2026 Internship will offer 9-weeks of hands-on experience and mentorship along with weekly presentations and discussions with various departments in the museum, off-site educational visits within the Bay Area community, and access to various tours and events within the museum.

Requirements

• Must have a Bachelor’s Degree; first or second year student at accredited U.S. law school, or a recent graduate. SFMOMA recognizes a graduation date within 6 months of the internship start date as a recent graduate.
• If you are a current employee of the SFMOMA, applying for an internship, you must be a current student or a recent graduate, within 6 months of the internship start date.
• Intern application on SFMOMA job site
• Legal writing sample
• Resume, in PDF format
• Cover letter stating the specific internship of interest, in PDF format
• Describe the experience you bring, why you are interested in museum or nonprofit work, reasons for applying to the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, and your goals for the internship.
• Two letters of recommendation from either a college professor or current/former employer, in PDF format
• College/university transcript, in PDF format
• Transcripts can be unofficial but must be legible

Responsibilities

• Work closely with the General Counsel and Assistant General Counsel in drafting legal memoranda and museum contracts, conduct legal research, attend client meetings and other applicable hearings/court matters based on current museum needs.
• Complete an in-depth, legal research and writing project.
• Draft a full vendor agreement, or other standard museum contract, from beginning to end.
• Draft and amend museum contracts for a broad variety of museum departments.
• Gain experience communicating legal advice to in-house clients.
• Attend regular intern programs and presentations at the Museum to further understanding of museum careers and the context of the Museum’s legal work.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Intern
• Number of Employees: 501-1,000 employees