Cabinet Neuer has an impressive roster of clients, including renowned auction houses and art dealers, collectors and institutions, including the Picasso Estate and the Louvre Abu Dhabi. The team is active in criminal matters, acting in a major international criminal law suit concerning the trafficking of Egyptian Antiquities, and handled a prominent lawsuit concerning the moral rights of artists. Jean-Jacques Neuer leads the art law team, specialising in forgery and fraud claims, and is dual-qualified in France and England and Wales. Laëtitia Boidin and Aimée Merlandt are also noted.

The esteemed art law team at UGGC & Associés advises on a variety of complex matters, such as major criminal investigations into the international trafficking of stolen artworks, and has strong expertise in the negotiating and drafting of cross-border agreements relating to artworks. Team co-head Jean-François Canat harnesses the firm’s international connections to advise high-profile clients, representing clients in domestic and international litigation. Co-head Philippe Hansen is active in the art law sector, primarily advising public institutions, private collectors and museums. Line-Alexa Glotin is noted for her expertise in assisting in the restructuring and transfer of businesses, as well as tax matters, and Corinne Khayat and Anne-Marie Pecoraro both hold particular experience in complex trademark, IP and copyright litigation. Laure Assumpçao is another name to note.

Boutique firm Valther provides a comprehensive range of services to a stellar roster of clients that includes some of France’s most prestigious art institutions, notably Centre Pompidou and Musée du Louvre. Former head of the Musée du Louvre legal department, Xavier Près, advises and litigates for notable public operators within the cultural sector. Près also provides support to artists and collectors in the realisation of projects and the defence of their interests within the sector. Vincent Varet offers a wealth of expertise in intellectual property to art world clients, as well as luxury goods and e-business sectors.

August Debouzy utilises extensive experience in the art law area to advise high-profile clients, including major European auction houses and prominent private art collections. The team is highly specialised in the area of art forgery and counterfeit law and is also active in the litigation space. Co-head Basile Ader advises various art players, including auction houses and art dealers, on such issues as art forgery, counterfeiting and plagiarism cases. Philippe Lorentz, team co-head, focuses primarily on M&A, advising major investment funds. Amélie Tripet and Elie Bétard are also recommended.

Clyde & Co LLP has an impressive client roster, advising leading auction houses and undertaking defence work for major cultural institutions, galleries and dealers. The team leverage an expertise in international sanctions and fine art insurance, coordinating with the firm’s art and cultural property teams globally to provide comprehensive advice on cross-jurisdictional matters. The team is led by insurance law expert David Méheut, who is well-equipped to advise on various fine art and liability policy matters, as well as restitution claims for looted art during World War II. Counsel Sophie Grémaud is also noted for her experience in handling art-related disputes before French courts, in mediation and before arbitral tribunals.

Boutique firm Pamina Avocats is a strong choice for high-profile art world clients, including assisting leading auction house Sotheby’s in all its legal business. Former legal counsel to the French Prime Minister’s office and team head, Rémi Sermier, has extensive knowledge of all legal issues related to auction sales. A notable highlight involved assisting Sotheby’s, as claimant, in criminal proceedings concerning the sale of forged 18th century furniture to the Château de Versailles.

Pinsent Masons LLP draws upon its global network to provide stellar clients, including royal family members, with a full-service practice. The team has extensive expertise in cross-border art law disputes as well as providing an advisory practice for international art and cultural property clients. The team assists clients in both civil and commercial disputes as well as criminal cases, with an expertise spanning traditional fine art, artifacts and sculpture, video and jewellery. Melina Wolman has considerable expertise in high-profile international art law cases, notably in recovering art looted during World War II, whilst London-based Richard Hart advises a number of prominent art collectors. Sandy Wirtz, Yohanna Thillaye and Matthieu Querry are also notable contacts.