What happens when a couple’s passion fades for each other but still burns for their art collection?
DEAR BROTHERS-IN-LAW: Last Valentine’s Day my husband served me breakfast in bed. This year his attorney served me with divorce papers. What’s up with that? —Sincerely, Mystified on Madison.
DEAR MISTY: Call us for an appointment, and bring a retainer check. Read more…
When conducting business under the big top, certain ground rules always apply.
Like lemmings to the sea, we join the rest of the art world each December at Art Basel Miami Beach. None of our clients has ever drowned off South Beach, but given the feeding frenzy that now surrounds dealers at popular art fairs, more than a few have had close calls with sharks. Read more…
Despite few laws on “blood diamonds,” buyers can take the initiative in this ethically charged area.
Although we like to think of ourselves as regular Perry Masons, many of our clients really just need the help of an Ann Landers (or, in some cases, Sigmund Freud).
Our art dealer client, Danielle, for instance, came to us shortly after her boyfriend proposed. Having wept through the film Blood Diamond on a transatlantic flight, Danielle was concerned that the stone in her engagement ring might have been illegally smuggled out of a war-torn African nation. Read more…
Authentication is a major step toward protecting your artistic assets, although the process is rarely foolproof. Here’s what you should know about establishing the authorship of a work.
Like so many attorneys, we love technology. Unfortunately, the feeling isn’t mutual. Our firm’s computers combust, our cells phones fry, and our PDAs are more perilous than a pistol packing paralegal. Read more…
When it comes to art theft, a variety of laws can help make the case for museums.
It was close to midnight when Paulie showed, and he hadn’t come alone. Next to him, in the shadowy corner of a midtown gin mill, slouched a young moll wearing too much lipstick and not enough skirt. “Our assistant curator for collections,” Paulie rasped by way of introduction. Read more…
Federal lawsuits on credit and debit card receipts targeting retailers highlights dangers companies face when dealing with personal information, says retailer attorney Brad Muro.
Class Actions allege that printing of expiration date on customer receipts violate Fair Credit Reporting Act; Federal and State laws provide multiple minefields for retailers.
The provenance of an artwork can greatly influence its value, so it pays to be protected from possible errors.
Like much of the art world, we head down to Art Basel Miami Beach every December for culture (sort of), sun and an escape from our legal practice in New York. Occasionally we manage two out of the three.
Last year we ran into our old friend Madeleine while checking into our hotel, and before we could even get our room keys, she cornered us for some professional advice. Madeleine was interested in buying an unsigned painting on display in the booth of a Chelsea gallery. Read more…
New York recently enacted a strict new law concerning publication requirements for limited liability entities. The old requirement was often overlooked as the consequences for non-compliance were minimal. The consequences for non-compliance with the new law, however, are more severe and result in a suspension of the entity’s authority to conduct business.
Serving as a museum trustee is prestigious and can be gratifying, but here’s why you should tread carefully.
As careful attorneys, we are not much given to games of chance like roulette or, the way Thomas plays it, golf. Others whom we advise, though, are somewhat less averse to risk, and enjoy eating oysters in the sun or even serving as trustees for prestigious museums. Read more…
Protecting your stake in an artwork may not be as simple as it seems, especially when you consign it to a gallery.
According to one of our most faithful readers, we spend too much time gallivanting about at gallery openings and attending fancy dinners with art collectors. Our mother may be right, but our legal practice also has a serious side: On occasion, we are called upon to deliver especially bad news regarding our clients’ art-world investments. And consignments of art produce more bad news than any other area of our firm’s practice. Read more…