Brody Wilkinson’s Business & Finance Group represents art dealers, artists, appraisers, auction houses, estates and trusts, foundations, galleries, museums and private collectors in a broad spectrum of legal issues specific to the art and antiques world. Given the firm’s equally strong business and estate planning practices, we are well-suited to handle many of the multi-faceted and sophisticated legal needs that arise concerning works of art and antiques.
We advise clients in a variety of transactional matters ranging from artwork purchase and sales agreements; to gallery and studio leases; commission agreements; auction contracts; grant financing; and artist-dealer disputes. In addition, we collaborate with attorneys from our Trusts & Estates Group to assist clients in connection with the formation of foundations; charitable giving; tax structuring; estate and tax planning; and probate litigation. Clients benefit from the firm’s ability to provide a full complement of art-related services.
Representative matters include:
Representation of the estate of a prominent antique dealer in connection with the negotiation of auction contracts with two major international auction houses. This was a joint auction of an important collection of Americana. The collector was also a museum consultant and published numerous books on the early American artifacts and is credited for establishing certain categories of early American folk art.
Negotiation and documentation of a part gift/part sale transaction of a renowned collection of Americana art to the Deerfield Museum.
Closing of state grant financing to the Barnum Museum for use in connection with a facility upgrade to maintain the preservation integrity of the Museum.
Preparation of a design license agreement for an award winning fabric manufacturer whose products are featured in numerous interior design magazines.
Establishment and funding of an important study collection by a world renowned American sculptor, painter, draftsman and printmaker at the University of Chicago’s David and Alfred Smart Museum of Art, and resolution of tax and valuation issues before the Art Advisory Counsel of the Internal Revenue Service.
Negotiation and documentation of literary agent and publishing agreements for a two-time Newbury Honor Award-winning author of children’s’ books and lecturers.
Creation and ongoing representation of a limited liability company formed to market and promote the art of a twentieth century modern artist who produced social realist, abstract, expressionist and transcendental art. His works have been exhibited in numerous galleries and museums.
