How do you approach managing legal aspects during periods of instability or crises, and how does your legal strategy align with the broader business strategy to ensure the organisation’s resilience?  

An in-house lawyer’s role becomes especially critical during periods of instability or crisis. This is when the business relies on its trusted legal advisors to dissect and untangle a complex situation, prioritise the matters which need to be tackled first, and identify the crux of the problems at hand so that together with the business an appropriate and effective solution could be developed.

While we are very proud of our 250-year history in fine art auctions, Christie’s continues to evolve and offer new services to our clients. To name a few, we were one of the pioneers in offering an online-only auction platform and the first to offer NFTs to our clients globally and in Asia.  Christie’s legal team will always be proactive in supporting or taking the lead in exploring the feasibility of these new business initiatives as well as producing the business guidelines and legal documentation needed.

Collectors buy and sell valuable and exquisite art and luxurious items through Christie’s because they trust Christie’s expertise, professionalism, and reputation. To maintain this trust, legal and compliance strategies play an instrumental role. This trust is based on having a robust due diligence process that verifies ownership, provenance and authenticity, a transparent auction platform with clear terms and conditions and corporate policies that guide the operations of the full range of transactional activities and provide our clients a consistent client experience.

What are the most significant cases or transactions that your legal team has recently been involved in?  

Most recently, the legal team is very proud to have led the negotiation of the lease of Christie’s new Asia headquarters at the Henderson. The successful conclusion of this deal helps Christie’s elevate its business in Asia by introducing new and expansive gallery space with innovative designs and sustainability features, enabling Christie’s to host its own auctions and events year-round.

Do you have a cause, business-related or otherwise, that you are passionate about?  

As both a lawyer and also a woman, I am passionate about ensuring that the workplace provides a level playing field for everyone, regardless of gender. In 2018, I became involved in Christie’s global gender pay gap committee. Since then, Christie’s has continued its effort to develop a responsible culture, and since 2021, I have co-chaired the Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Committee for Christie’s in APAC. Our committee facilitates conversations that encourage a more inclusive and supportive work environment, and help Christie’s identify and support good causes that advance Equity, Diversity and Inclusion in APAC. Our mission is to use our position in the art market as a positive force, striving to manage our people and practices responsibly to leave a positive, enduring impact on society, and to enhance the communities in which we live and work through cultural stewardship and arts advocacy.