Art is diverse in its form and content, as are the domestic statutes and international laws and conventions that apply to art transactions. Wilson Elser’s Art Law Practice is uniquely suited to handle related contracts and issues and counsel clients through due diligence and possible disputes.

Proper contracts need to be put in place on behalf of those creating, collecting, consigning, commissioning, conserving, transporting, storing or otherwise handling artwork. Our attorneys are skilled at implementing these transactional assignments, tailoring terms to our clients’ specific requirements and best interests.

In the event of damage claims, we determine relative exposure, weigh the merits of alternative resolution approaches and carefully calculate cost investments. We enjoy long-standing relationships with qualified appraisers and conservators whose expertise helps determine our resolution strategy. While our practice focuses on managing the entire litigation, we understand that our clients prefer quick and cost-effective resolutions to complex and potentially protracted liability cases. Thus, we do our best to accelerate turnaround through procedural or substantive dismissals, successful tenders and negotiated settlements. 

For contractual assignments, we negotiate and prepare agreements for artists, dealers, collectors, galleries, museums and other art market participants. We also draft service agreements for art world professionals in addition to art storage agreements, installation agreements, exhibition agreements, and terms and conditions for fine art shipping companies. We draw on Wilson Elser’s extensive national office network, our London presence and relationships with European affiliates in resolving domestic and international trade and customs issues. As a founding member of Legalign Global, a close alliance of five of the world’s leading law firms, Wilson Elser enjoys experienced representation in key global regions. We frequently draw on one or more of our four Legalign Global partner firms, Bach Langheid Dallmayr, DAC Beachcroft,  Wotton + Kearney and Alexander Holburn (headquartered in Germany, the United Kingdom, Australia and Canada, respectively), for their knowledge of local statutes and regulations and their ability to secure licenses and approvals as required. 

Whether for claims or contracts, clients are continually apprised of our progress and provided with information that enables them to make intelligent decisions and assures them that their resources are being deployed effectively and efficiently. In the context of the often obscure art markets, our clients especially value the high premium we place on transparency, integrity and discretion.