Withers’ art advisory service is aimed at major public and private art collectors as well as dealers and those involved in managing substantial collections. It was created in response to the growing requirement for specialist legal advice in the international art market which, while continuing to attract considerable investment, is faced with an increasing plethora of national laws, EU regulations, complex international treaties and professional codes of conduct.
Withers’ service covers all legal aspects of the acquisition, maintenance, protection and devolution of cultural assets and intellectual property rights in visual and decorative arts.
In addition to his work at Sotheby’s, Pierre Valentin has advised a number of leading galleries, trade associations, dealers and auctioneers. At Withers he will work closely with litigation principal Jeremy Scott and other experts in the field of art law, trusts, charities, estate planning, taxation and intellectual property on both sides of the Atlantic.
Jeremy Scott said: “Many of our clients collect art or manage art collections. They have indicated that they would welcome more specialist legal advice on art issues from us. Pierre’s arrival will lead to a sharper focus as one of the few law firms to offer serious legal services to this sector. Just like the art market, London and New York are our two major centres. We are therefore ideally placed to provide legal support on both national law and multi-jurisdictional issues.”
Withers launch legal service for arts
Withers LLP, the international private client law firm, has launched a specialised legal service for clients concerned with cultural assets. The new service will be headed by Pierre Valentin, formerly legal counsel for Sotheby’s Europe, who has joined Withers.
