Withers Bergman LLP

Buying, selling and viewing art is one of life's great pleasures. But it is also a sophisticated business that requires the very best legal advice.

We advise 40% of the 200 top art dealers listed in ARTnews Top Collectors publication, as well as many of the world’s leading collectors. We have been involved in a number of the highest profile matters of recent times including the controversial “Canyon” case and the Richard Prince litigation. We work with international galleries and museums. Working for many of the most successful people and cultural institutions in the world means much of what we do is confidential. But it’s fair to say that our connections among our client base provide us with sector expertise that is unmatched by most other law firms.

Protecting your success

We are the largest law firm in the world championing the interests of successful individuals and families. Whether you are deal making, tax planning or fighting to protect your investment, we have the right lawyers around the world to help. Art law partner Diana Wierbicki is listed by artnetnews as one of the world’s most highly-influential art lawyers focusing on structuring transactions, while Dean Nicyper on the litigation side has advised on the two biggest art fraud cases in the past decade and helps one of two largest art auction houses in dozens of lawsuits concerning authenticity and the purchase, loaning and movement of art. Celia Lloyd Davidson in the UK has a reputation for her specialist knowledge of the creative sector; she works closely with many leading commercial galleries, museums and artists. Her focus is intellectual property and commercial advice which covers a wide range of issues, from acquisitions and loans to archive management, copyright issues, curation, commissions and collaborations.She is ranked in the art and cultural property section of Legal 500 2017 which says: Celia Lloyd Davidson is ‘very alert to the commercial realities of each situation’. On the litigation side in London, Eleni Polycarpou has over 10 years’ experience of dealing with all kinds of art related disputes both in litigation and in arbitration, including two of the most well-known stolen art cases and restitution cases plus all kinds of title, authenticity and consignment disputes acting for collectors, artists, art galleries, art insurers, dealers and auctioneers. She has been ranked in the legal 500 directory for art and cultural property for the last 3 years. The 2017 listing says, “Eleni Polycarpou who heads the art litigation team, is ‘an excellent litigator to have on your side and is relentless in pursuing her clients’ best interests’;”

Art meets fashion

The lines between art and fashion have always been blurred but arguably never more so than today. As the law firm for successful people, fashion is a major area of work for us and we’ve worked on some of the world’s ultimate collaborations between high fashion and art.

Cultural institutions

We have a long history of representing museums, libraries and other important cultural assets. Our in-depth understanding of the legal issues faced in this specialist area is enhanced by many of our lawyers serving or having served on various boards of directors, as in-house counsel and trustee.

We are an equal opportunity employer committed to enhancing diversity within the workplace.

We recognize and value the benefits that a diverse workforce can bring to the organization. Diversity is not limited to gender and ethnicity, and includes factors such as religion or belief, disability, age, marital status and sexual orientation. All our employees and Partners are responsible for the promotion and advancement of equality and diversity within the Firm.

Much of our work on diversity in the last three years has been about putting good monitoring tools in place to ensure that we understand where the gaps are within our workforce, making changes to our strategies and communicating our policy on equal opportunities and diversity to our staff and training those involved in managing and recruiting others.

Since 2002, Withers has experienced a period of growth. The expansion of our client base has highlighted our clients' need for a highly skilled and diverse workforce. The business need to support diversity is evident and Chris Priestley (a Partner in our Commercial group) has been nominated to ensure that Diversity is high on the partnership agenda.

Diversity Audit

In 2006 we undertook our first diversity audit of our workforce, monitoring age, sexual orientation, religion, ethnicity and disability. New joiners are monitored on an ongoing basis. Our diversity statistics are published below.

Communication of our commitment to Diversity

Each year our staff are asked to acknowledge their understanding of and commitment to the Firm’s Equal Opportunities Policy as part of our annual audit.

Our Supervisors and Partners receive training to ensure they understand their obligations in implementing our equal opportunity policy in the workplace.

In addition, all interview panelists are trained in the Firm’s approach to diversity and given guidance on our structured skill based approach to interviewing.

Promotion and Access to Development

Opportunities for promotion are communicated and made available to all staff on a fair and equal basis. A skills framework is used in all promotion, appraisal, and pay discussions to ensure a consistent and fair approach across the Firm.

Selection of candiates for promotion to 'Of Counsel or Partner' status is undertaken by a panel of Withers Partners, whose selection decisions are based upon technical expertise and pre-defined partner competencies.

Training is made available to all staff and Partners in line with our business needs. Training needs are recognized formally via our appraisal process, which is objective and skill based, to ensure a fair and equal approach.

Recognition for Diversity

Withers was ranked 2nd (out of the top 100 law firms) for having a high percentage of female equity partners in The Lawyer Career Report Survey 2006.

Withers also ranked 2nd (out of the top 50 firms) for Diversity with respect to women and ranked 1st for Diversity with respect for Gay and Lesbians in the Vault survey 2006.

• New Haven, CT
  157 Church Street , P.O. Box 426
  New Haven, CT 06502
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