Ralph Appelbaum Associates

The Contracts & Legal Associate plays a key role in supporting RAA’s U.S. and international operations by assisting with the preparation, review, negotiation, execution, and administration of agreements across our studios in New York, London, and Berlin. Reporting to the Chief Financial Officer, and as part of a centralized administrative team, the position works closely with RAA leadership, project teams, Finance, and the firm’s external legal counsel.

This position is designed for an early-career legal professional interested in developing broad in-house corporate and commercial legal experience. The successful candidate will receive significant exposure to RAA’s business operations and will work with the company’s outside attorneys to develop expertise in commercial contracting, risk management, professional services agreements, intellectual property, insurance, international business matters, and other legal issues affecting RAA’s operations.

Initially, the role will focus heavily on contract drafting, review, negotiation, administration, and coordination with outside counsel. As the individual’s knowledge of RAA’s business and legal needs develops, the position is expected to assume increasing responsibility for legal matters that can appropriately be handled internally.

The ideal candidate is a recent law school graduate or early-career attorney who combines strong legal analysis and drafting skills with an interest in understanding the commercial and operational aspects of a global creative and professional-services business. RAA is seeking an individual interested in building a long-term career with the company and developing toward increasingly senior in-house legal responsibilities.

Nearly a half century ago, Ralph Appelbaum Associates (RAA) pioneered a new approach to learning in public. RAA is now the world’s largest practice dedicated to the planning and design of museums and narrative environments.

Today, we work on commissions of all sizes to use physical space as a medium for communication and dialogue. Our comprehensive creative and technical offerings uplift the missions and ideas of our clients. Past and current projects include many of the world’s most recognizable cultural attractions. Our studios are diverse and interdisciplinary: we draw together designers, architects, artists, historians, educators, media-makers, technologists, writers, and poets that are passionate about encouraging a mindful connection to the world around us.

Our work has been honored with every major award for design and communication, including the first-ever National Design Award for Communications Design. Connective and transformative experiences in public spaces are essential for individuals, communities, cities, and nations — now more than ever.

More than 75,000,000 people encounter our work every year.

• Drafts, reviews, revises, and assists in negotiating RAA agreements, including client agreements, professional services agreements, subconsultant and subcontractor agreements, Independent Contractor agreements, NDAs, amendments, renewals, and other commercial agreements.
• Reviews contractual provisions relating to indemnification, limitation of liability, intellectual property, insurance, confidentiality, payment, termination, dispute resolution, warranties, governing law, and other areas of contractual risk.
• Identifies contractual and legal risks and works with the Chief Financial Officer, business leadership, and outside legal counsel to determine appropriate contractual positions and risk mitigation strategies.
• Coordinates and maintains oversight of the end-to-end contract process, with the ability to identify the current status and location of any agreement at any stage.
• Liaises with Project Managers and senior RAA staff to ensure contract workflows are understood, followed, and integrated into project planning and execution.
• Assures all necessary attachments, exhibits, and documentation are included in contracts with consistency.
• Coordinates with RAA’s outside legal counsel in the United States, United Kingdom, Germany, and other jurisdictions as necessary, including preparing issues for legal review and implementing counsel’s recommendations.
• Develops an understanding of RAA’s business model, project delivery methods, financial structure, insurance program, intellectual property considerations, and international operations to provide increasingly business-focused legal support.
• Develops and maintains RAA’s contract templates, standard provisions, negotiation guidelines, contract playbooks, and approval procedures in coordination with outside counsel.
• Works with Project Leadership to ensure scopes of services, fees, schedules, deliverables, and other commercial terms are accurately reflected in contractual agreements.
• Supports the complete contract lifecycle from initial review and negotiation through approval, signature, amendment, renewal, closeout, and record retention.
• Researches legal and regulatory issues affecting RAA’s operations and summarizes findings for management, escalating matters to outside counsel when appropriate.
• Assists with corporate, compliance, intellectual property, employment, insurance, claims, and other legal matters as the individual’s experience and responsibilities develop.
• Serves as a liaison among Finance, Project Management, studio leadership, external legal counsel, clients, consultants, and other business partners regarding contractual and legal matters.
• Develops increasing responsibility for routine legal matters with the goal of building internal legal capability while appropriately utilizing outside counsel for specialized, jurisdiction-specific, or higher-risk matters.
• Maintains organized and audit-ready physical and electronic contract and legal records.
• Communicates professionally and efficiently with internal teams, clients, and external partners to clarify contract terms, resolve issues, and support timely execution.
• Performs other legal, contractual, compliance, and business-related responsibilities consistent with the individual’s professional development and the evolving needs of the organization.

• Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree from an accredited law school required.
• Recent law school graduates and attorneys in the early stages of their careers are encouraged to apply.
• Admission to the New York State Bar, eligibility for admission, or active progress toward admission strongly preferred. Candidates awaiting bar examination results may be considered.
• Strong academic or practical foundation in contract law, commercial transactions, corporate law, or related areas.
• Demonstrated legal research, analytical, writing, and contract-drafting abilities.
• Strong interest in developing a career in corporate and in-house legal practice.
• Eligibility to work in the United States required.
• Interest in commercial contracting, professional services, intellectual property, international business, risk management, and corporate matters.
• Ability to identify legal and contractual issues and exercise sound judgment regarding when matters should be escalated to senior management or outside counsel.
• Familiarity with business, finance, and accounting concepts preferred; willingness to develop strong commercial and financial understanding required.
• Experience or demonstrated interest in architecture, design, construction, museums, cultural institutions, creative services, or professional-services organizations is a plus.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with the ability to explain legal concepts clearly to non-lawyers.
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to interact professionally with clients, consultants, attorneys, executives, and employees throughout the organization.
• Exceptional attention to detail, organizational skills, judgment, and ability to manage multiple matters simultaneously.
• Strong technology skills, including Microsoft Office, Adobe Acrobat, Google Workspace, and the ability to learn contract-management and other business systems.

RAA offers a competitive benefits package to our full-time staff, including: medical, dental, and vision insurance; flexible spending accounts; 401k enrollment with employer matching; unlimited paid time off. Additional benefits are offered at no cost to employees, including short- and long-term disability, life insurance, and parental leave. Flexible spending accounts are also available for employees to make tax-advantaged contributions toward medical expenses, transportation and parking costs, and childcare.

Unfortunately, due to the volume of applications we receive, we cannot personally respond to each applicant. Qualified candidates will be contacted via email regarding our interview process. To apply for this role, please send a cover letter, CV, and portfolio to humanresources@raai.com.

RAA is an equal opportunity practice that is committed to furthering diversity and inclusion in our studio. RAA does not discriminate in employment or access to its programs or activities on the basis of: race; color; creed; religion; gender; gender identity or expression; sex; sexual orientation; national origin or ancestry; citizenship status; health or genetic information; age; marital status; mental or physical disability; pregnancy; political affiliation; arrest record; past, present, or future service in the uniformed services; or any other legally protected status. Our policy of non-discrimination applies to all personnel practices, including, but not limited to, recruitment, project assignments, professional development, compensation, or any other employment practice. We strongly encourage women, people of color, and candidates from other underrepresented communities to apply.

All applicants for RAA open positions based in the United States have rights under federal employment laws. Links to the pertinent postings follow.

Notices:
Employee Rights: Employee Polygraph Protection Act
Know Your Rights: Workplace Discrimination is Illegal
The Family and Medical Leave Act