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Museum Lawyer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Commonwealth Museum

Public Records Specialist

Boston, MA · On-site

$60 - $80/hr

Coordinate with the Supervisor, attorneys, and other legal staff to facilitate closing appeals; * Mail acknowledgment letters, determinations, and other material on a regular basis; * Perform ...

Related Group

Development Associate

Miami, FL · On-site

... museum-quality art installations. Over 45 years, Related has built, rehabilitated, and managed over ... lawyers, engineers, architects, surveyors, land planners, and other professionals as may be ...

PRH Investments, LLC DBA The Related Group

$60 - $80/hr

... museum-quality art installations. Over 45 years, Related has built, rehabilitated, and managed over ... lawyers, engineers, architects, surveyors, land planners, and other professionals as may be ...

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Museum Lawyer information

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$47K

$100.6K

$138K

How much do museum lawyer jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 9, 2026, the average yearly pay for museum lawyer in the United States is $100,626.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $79,000.00 and $103,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a museum lawyer?

Museum lawyers are legal professionals who specialize in providing legal counsel to museums and cultural institutions. They handle issues such as acquisitions, provenance, intellectual property rights, contracts, compliance with cultural heritage laws, and disputes over artwork ownership. Museum lawyers ensure that museums operate within the law when acquiring, displaying, or loaning artifacts, and help navigate complex ethical and legal considerations related to cultural property and repatriation. Their work helps protect both the institution and the public interest.

How does a museum lawyer typically collaborate with curators and collections staff?

Museum Lawyers work closely with curators and collections staff to ensure compliance with laws regarding acquisitions, provenance, deaccessioning, and loan agreements. They review documentation, advise on intellectual property rights, and help navigate complex legal issues related to cultural property and international loans. This collaboration is essential to protect the museum's interests while supporting its mission to acquire, exhibit, and share collections responsibly.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a museum lawyer, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Museum Lawyer, you need a law degree, active bar membership, and expertise in art, intellectual property, and cultural heritage law. Familiarity with legal research databases, contract management software, and museum collection management systems is commonly required. Excellent negotiation, communication, and analytical thinking skills help navigate complex legal issues and collaborate with museum staff and external stakeholders. These skills ensure legal compliance, protect museum assets, and support the institution's mission and reputation.

What is the difference between Museum Lawyer vs Curator?

AspectMuseum LawyerCurator
Required CredentialsLaw degree, bar admission, legal certificationsDegree in art, history, or related field; often with a master's or PhD
Work EnvironmentLegal offices, museums, cultural institutionsMuseums, galleries, cultural institutions
Employer & Industry UsageMuseums, legal firms specializing in cultural propertyMuseums, art institutions, galleries
Common Search & ComparisonLegal responsibilities, compliance, contractsExhibition planning, collection management

While a Museum Lawyer focuses on legal matters such as contracts, compliance, and intellectual property, a Curator manages collections, organizes exhibitions, and oversees educational programs. Both roles are essential in a museum setting but serve different functions based on expertise and responsibilities.

How much do museum lawyers make?

Museum lawyers typically earn between $60,000 and $120,000 annually, depending on experience, location, and the size of the institution. Senior or specialized legal professionals in museums may earn higher salaries, especially if they handle complex legal issues such as intellectual property or provenance.

What does a museum lawyer do?

A museum lawyer provides legal advice and handles legal matters related to museum operations, including intellectual property, provenance, contracts, compliance with laws, and risk management. They may also assist with acquisitions, exhibitions, and protecting the museum's collections and reputation.

What are popular job titles related to Museum Lawyer jobs?

For Museum Lawyer jobs, the most frequently searched job titles are:

Infographic showing various Museum Lawyer job openings in the United States as of September 2026, with employment types broken down into 72% Full Time, 22% Part Time, and 6% Contract. Highlights an 94% In-person, and 6% Hybrid job distribution, with an average salary of $100,626 per year, or $48.4 per hour.

2027 Summer Associate- Trial & Appellate Group (Patent Litigation)

Washington, DC

Sterne Kessler Goldstein & Fox
Law Firms • 201 - 500 employees
Learn more about Sterne Kessler Goldstein & Foxexternal

$4.3K/wk

Full-time

Re-posted yesterday

Job description

About Sterne Kessler: 

Sterne, Kessler, Goldstein & Fox is one of the most highly regarded intellectual property specialty law firms dedicated to the protection, transfer and enforcement of IP rights for its clients. Based in Washington, D.C., we are a full-service IP firm offering patent litigation, patent preparation and prosecution of design and utility patents, and trademark and brand protection. Our firm culture is what sets us apart in the industry. It is the talent and dynamism of each individual that contributes to our shared success. We have cultivated an environment that is welcoming, inclusive, and intellectually stimulating with just the right touch of fun and exuberance.

Sterne Kessler’s distinct approach integrates its trial skills and experience, technical depth, knowledge of patents, and leadership at the PTAB to win for clients in district courts and at the USITC. Over the last five years, we have been one of the most active firms at the USITC, been lead counsel in over 100 Federal Circuit Appeals, and been counsel in over 750 PTAB proceedings.

What to Expect:

  • We will review and consider applications from students enrolled in an ABA-accredited law school juris doctor program expecting to graduate in May 2028 for our 2027 Summer Programs.
  • The 2027 Summer Program will be held in-person in our Washington, DC office from May 24 – July 30, 2027.
  • Summer associates may work-from-home 1-2 days per week.
  • Summer Associates are compensated at a rate of $4,326/week.
  • Our summer associates work on matters involving cutting-edge technologies developed by a broad range of innovative individuals and companies.
  • Your summer will include relevant work assignments, an informal mid-point and formal end-of-summer evaluation, workshops/trainings, and exposure to our team structure, all designed to reflect what life is like for an attorney at Sterne Kessler.
  • Our summers enjoy a number of social events, which allow summer associates to get to know our attorneys on a personal level. Past events have included our firm-wide crab feast, our firm-wide night at the Nationals, other DC sporting events, cooking classes, city and museum tours, and more.

To Apply:

To qualify for this Summer Associate position, you must be/have:

  • Currently enrolled at an ABA-accredited law school juris doctor program and expect to graduate in May 2028.
  • An obvious interest in intellectual property and patent litigation.
  • A STEM undergraduate or advanced degree and/or industry experience (preferred, but not required).
  • Stellar academic credentials.

To complete your application, please complete our application online and upload the following documents:

  • Resume.
  • Transcripts: law, undergraduate, and graduate (if applicable). We accept unofficial transcripts.
  • Writing sample: Legal writing sample preferred. If you do not have a legal writing sample, please provide a writing sample that allows us to assess your technical or persuasive writing.   
  • Cover letter (optional, but helpful to provide additional context on your expertise and interest in our firm).

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis and will be accepted until the positions are filled. We encourage you to apply early. Due to the exciting level of interest in our firm, we are unable to individually contact all candidates to collect materials to complete applications. If you are unsure if your materials successfully uploaded, please email all your materials to recruiting@sternekessler.com. 

For questions, please contact Heather Molina at hmolina@sternekessler.com or 202-772-8968.

Apply