NEW YORK, NY.- Phillips announced the appointment of Hartley Waltman as General Counsel, Americas. He will be based in New York and start in his new role in July.

Mr. Waltman will oversee the legal functions in North America and assume responsibility for Phillips’ legal and compliance functions throughout the Americas. He will also play an active role in Phillips’ top client business development and deal-making activities. Mr. Waltman will report to Martin Wilson, Chief Legal Counsel, who is based in London.

Mr. Waltman joins Phillips following a 20-year career at Christie’s, where he was most recently Senior Vice President and Senior Counsel, who over the course of his tenure served as the primary legal counsel and business partner for each of the company’s 25 specialist departments. Among his many activities at Christie’s, he was the lead counsel for the sale of the Peggy and David Rockefeller Collection. Prior to this, he was a partner with Foreht Last Waltman & Katz P.C.

“Hartley is an exceptional lawyer with a long history in the auction business,” said Edward Dolman, Chief Executive Officer of Phillips. “He brings with him considerable expertise, sharp judgement and a long track record of successfully negotiating high value art transactions and resolving complex disputes. We are building extraordinary momentum at Phillips and I am pleased that Hartley will help us navigate through complex issues in the Americas.”

In his new role, Mr. Waltman will focus on providing legal counsel that delivers on the company’s brand promise, executing its business strategy and achieving its vision. He will work closely with the commercial office to create a partnership between specialist departments, the deal room, commercial office and the legal department. He will also work to ensure a global consistency of approach by working in close partnership with his legal counterparts in Europe and Asia.