Summary

The Patty Gerstenblith Fellowship in Art, Museum, and Cultural Heritage Law is a two-year position for early-career attorneys (a one-year term may be considered upon request). The Fellow will gain first-hand experience in the legal questions and practical concerns related to repatriation, acquisitions, provenance, research, and exhibition of scientific specimens and items of cultural heritage, as well as the broad range of other legal concerns facing not-for-profits, providing the Fellow with experiences applicable to counseling museums and other cultural organizations. The Fellowship will provide professional development opportunities, including conference attendance and an opportunity to complete a relevant professional certification.

The Legal Fellow reports to the General Counsel and serves as part of the Museum’s in-house legal team. The Office of General Counsel protects the legal interests of the Museum, providing advice and counsel to senior management and other staff members in all departments of the Museum on a variety of matters, including but, not limited to, non-profit governance, collections management practices, labor and employment, compliance, risk management, contracts, intellectual property, charitable contributions, and cultural property.

Key Details

Pay Range: $65,000–80,000/year

Term: Two years; a one-year term may be considered upon request.

Schedule: FT (35 hours/week)

Deadline: ASAP (Posted August 3, 2026)

Eligibility

Education and Experience:

• Juris Doctorate (JD) from an ABA accredited institution.
• Candidate must be in their first five years of practice.
• Licensed to practice law in Illinois or eligible for and achieve admission or waive in to the Illinois Bar within a reasonable timeframe; must maintain law license for duration of employment.
• Candidates awaiting bar exam results are welcome to apply.
• Experience or demonstrated interest in working with museums, cultural organizations, not-for-profits, or institutions of higher education preferred.

Skills and Competencies:

• Excellent legal, analytical, drafting, and written and verbal communication skills and the ability to communicate at all levels within the organization.
• Experience in reviewing and drafting a variety of transactional agreements and legal documents.
• Ability to prioritize, meet multiple, concurrent deadlines, and oversee a variety of projects to successful conclusion, working both independently and as part of a group.
• Ability to develop and sustain collaborative, collegial relationships with varied internal clients and external constituencies.
• Sound and practical business judgement and common sense; high standards for integrity.
• Ability and willingness to gain expertise and perform work in unfamiliar areas of the law.

About

Since the 1893 World Columbian Exposition, the Field Museum of Natural History has aimed to connect people to the natural environment and human history.

Return to search

Tagged as: Administration, Research