Kara Lemberger is the Vice President, Associate General Counsel at Sotheby's. Prior to this role, Kara held various legal positions at Bank of America, Kaplan PMBR, Stuart Weitzman LLC, Merrill Lynch, and Bingham McCutchen. Kara's experience includes drafting and negotiating contracts and advising on intellectual property matters.
What are the most exciting things about your job right now?
The law is always changing in the field of intellectual property law, so I am constantly being challenged by new questions or issues brought by clients or new ways to interpret preexisting law to adapt to new developments. My practice involves a significant majority of work in the art world so there are even more unique questions that arise whether it’s a cutting-edge trademark or copyright registration, selling an archive of images or advising galleries or museums on the logistics of mounting a particular exhibit.
What was a turning point in your career?
The turning point in my career was when I transitioned into my current role. I entered law school with the goal of working with artists and creatives particularly Black and other underrepresented groups. When I started practicing at my current firm, all my career goals and even personal aspirations aligned. I’m doing exactly what I set out to accomplish post-law school. I’ve also been surprised with other industries, like publishing, that I have been able to develop an understanding of and grow a fondness for beyond personal consumption.
What advice do you have for students looking to get into this career field?
Be open to different opportunities but stay focused on what your passions are. It is important to have clarity about what you like and don’t like. You can develop that sort of clarity by being open to different opportunities and actually experiencing the work rather than self-selecting out. Networking is also an important skill to have because this industry is based on relationships. Sometimes knowing someone can extend better than data on a resume. Lastly, it is essential to exercise patience. Your dream job may not come automatically. For me, it took several twists and turns and closed doors until I finally received the opportunity that I desired.