Art Gallery Lawyers
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Meet some of our Art Gallery Lawyers
Lynn C.
I am a transactional attorney based in the Metro Atlanta, GA area, with a focus on real estate transactions, nonprofit, municipal law, corporate governance, and estate planning.
"Lynn is very knowledgeable and resourceful, she was able to explain me the process in details and provide all necessary information. Highly recommend. thank you"
October 8, 2025
Katherine B.
Attorney and former in-house counsel with 15+ years of leadership and project management experience in corporate & business law, risk management, compliance, strategy, and regulatory oversight in the private and federal sectors. Primary areas of practice are corporate governance & business law, compliance & financial services regulation, transformation & change management, regulatory response & remediations, consumer regulation & employment law, and conduct / ethics & investigations at regional, large and complex corporations. My experience includes banking, payment & ecommerce regulations, trade & product law, consumer regulations, employment & labor law, contracts and privacy laws. I have extensive experience advising firms on consumer protection and regulatory law, and I have specialized experience with firms engaging in large-scale transformations and remediations. I am admitted to the Washington State Bar Association and licensed to practice law, I am a Federal Reserve System commissioned Examiner, and I am a Certified Regulatory Compliance Manager (CRCM). At Phoenix Law PLLC, I advise individual clients and provide legal and regulatory guidance, corporate counsel services, as well as strategic consulting services to businesses. I leverage my unique experience and skillset to provide innovative solutions and achieve favorable results, with the goal of empowering clients to move successfully forward. www.phoenixlawpllc.com kbrandt@phoenixlawpllc.com
Sean D.
After 15+ years at leading firms in Silicon Valley, Boston, and DC, I started Supernova Law to partner with the clients who inspire me most—start-ups, mission-driven companies, B-Corps, and non-profits. My goal is simple: provide accessible, affordable, high-quality legal support to innovators creating positive change for our society. At Supernova Law, your vision and values come first.
October 10, 2025
Matthew K.
Member CA State Bar since 1978. Martindale-Hubbell rated A-v Preeminent. Avvo 5-stars
October 13, 2025
Vivek S.
Vivek Singh is a real estate attorney who brings clients far more than legal theory — he brings the perspective of a business owner, investor, and developer who has personally navigated the same challenges they face. With almost 20 years of experience in real estate law, construction, development, and property management, Vivek combines deep legal knowledge with real‑world operational insight. In addition to running his own law practice, Vivek has founded and managed construction and property management companies, invested in and developed real estate, and handled his own business disputes and litigation. This hands‑on experience gives him a unique advantage as an attorney: he understands the practical, financial, and strategic stakes behind every contract, negotiation, and deal. Vivek represents buyers, sellers, landlords, tenants, investors, and developers in transactions, commercial leasing, construction agreements, land use approvals, and complex negotiations. Clients appreciate that he speaks their language, anticipates risks before they arise, and approaches every matter with the mindset of both a lawyer and a fellow business operator.
Brad A.
Brad Adams is the founder of Adams Outside GC, PLLC, a legal consulting firm providing fractional General Counsel services to businesses across Florida, Alabama, and Georgia. With more than 25 years of legal experience, Brad offers practical, business-minded legal support to help companies navigate complex legal issues, minimize risk, and focus on growth. Brad’s practice spans both business law and employment law, with a focus on delivering real-world solutions tailored to each client’s needs. He regularly advises companies on legal compliance, drafts and negotiates contracts, supports clients with collections and dispute resolution, and helps businesses manage day-to-day legal and HR matters. His employment law experience includes drafting policies and agreements, conducting internal investigations, delivering compliance training, guiding employers through regulatory challenges and responding to administrative complaints. Brad has represented employers of all sizes—ranging from startups to Fortune 500 companies—in a wide variety of industries, including construction, manufacturing, retail, healthcare, hospitality, solar energy, and technology. In addition to this broad experience, Brad has developed significant expertise in worker classification issues, particularly in the gig economy. He has worked with businesses using independent contractor models to help them navigate the legal and operational complexities unique to non-traditional workforces. Brad’s guidance helps clients reduce misclassification risk and design more sustainable, compliant contractor arrangements that support operational flexibility. His published work on this topic has appeared in Bloomberg Law’s Daily Labor Report, and he is a valuable resource for companies working within this rapidly evolving space. Prior to founding Adams Outside GC, Brad served as General Counsel for Meraki Installers LLC, where he managed the company’s legal, compliance, and HR functions. He previously practiced at top national and regional law firms, including Littler Mendelson, P.C., where he spent over a decade focusing exclusively on employment law as both an associate and shareholder. Earlier in his career, he worked in the Atlanta office of Powell Goldstein LLP (now Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner) and the Mobile, Alabama office of McDowell Knight Roedder & Sledge, LLC. Prior to joining Meraki, Brad worked in the Pensacola, Florida office of Emmanuel, Sheppard & Condon. Brad is licensed in Florida, Alabama, and Georgia, and was a Board-Certified Specialist in Labor and Employment Law through the Florida Bar from June 2021 through May 2026. He earned his J.D. with honors from the University of Florida Levin College of Law, where he was recognized for excellence in legal writing. He also holds a B.A. with honors and distinction from the University of the South (Sewanee). Brad is a speaker and published author on employment law topics and compliance strategy, contributing to Bloomberg Law, LexisNexis, and regional HR and legal conferences. For additional information, please visit adamsoutsidegc.com
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Browse Lawyers NowArt Gallery Legal Questions and Answers
Art Gallery
Art Consignment Agreement
North Carolina
Is it necessary to have a written Art Consignment Agreement when selling artwork through a gallery?
I am an artist who has recently been approached by a gallery to sell my artwork on consignment, and I am wondering if it is necessary to have a written Art Consignment Agreement in place to protect my rights and ensure a fair arrangement between myself and the gallery. I have heard stories of artists being taken advantage of in similar situations, and I want to make sure I am adequately protected before entering into any agreement.
Randy M.
Yes, you absolutely need a written Art Consignment Agreement before handing over your artwork to any gallery. A verbal agreement, handshake deal, or email exchange isn't enough to protect your rights if something goes sideways. The gallery may seem reputable, but you’re placing valuable property in someone else’s control, and there are real legal and financial risks if expectations aren't clearly spelled out. A formal contract protects your ownership, defines obligations, and gives you leverage if disputes arise. Why the Agreement Matters A written consignment contract serves several key purposes. First, it makes it legally clear that you retain ownership of the artwork until it's sold and you’ve been paid. Without this, the work might be treated as gallery inventory if the gallery gets sued or files for bankruptcy. Second, it confirms whether the gallery carries insurance and who’s liable if your work is damaged, stolen, or lost. Third, it lays out financial terms, including pricing authority, commission percentage, and payment deadlines. That avoids unpleasant surprises like the gallery giving a steep discount without your approval or taking months to pay you after a sale. Core Terms You Should Include Start with a detailed inventory listing each piece on consignment. Include the title, medium, dimensions, inventory number, and agreed-upon price. The agreement should state that the artwork remains your property until sold and that the gallery holds it in trust. Specify the consignment period—whether it’s three months, six months, or open-ended with the right to terminate on notice. Define the commission split clearly. Many galleries take 40 to 50 percent, but it can vary. Spell out who sets the prices and whether the gallery can offer discounts without your permission. Next, address payment terms. Thirty days after the sale is common, but it should be written. Include a clause about how you’ll be notified of sales and what accounting the gallery must provide. Insurance is another key issue. Make sure the gallery confirms in writing that it carries insurance covering theft, fire, water damage, and other common risks, and that your artwork is included at full retail value. If they don’t insure, you may need to. Don’t forget what happens if the work doesn’t sell. The agreement should cover how and when unsold pieces are returned and at whose expense. Some artists require the gallery to return the work within 10 days of the consignment ending. Also consider a termination clause so you can exit the agreement if needed, such as for breach or change in business direction. Other Clauses That Add Protection Include a copyright clause stating that you retain all intellectual property rights in your work. The gallery should only have a limited, non-exclusive license to use images of your work for promotional purposes. If the gallery wants exclusive rights to sell your work during the consignment period or in a specific geographic area, make sure the scope is clearly defined. You can also address marketing expectations, such as whether the gallery will display the work, include it in exhibits, or promote it online. A dispute resolution clause can save time and legal fees if something goes wrong. Mediation followed by arbitration is a common approach in art contracts. And make sure the agreement names the applicable law—typically the state where the gallery operates. Professional Advice and Red Flags Some states have specific laws protecting artists in consignment situations. For example, New York and California require galleries to treat consigned art and proceeds from sales as trust property. In New York, these protections apply automatically when artwork is delivered to a gallery for exhibition or sale, even without a written agreement. However, in many other states with consignment laws, these protections only apply when there is a written consignment agreement between the artist and gallery. Approximately half of the 32 states with art consignment laws require written documentation as a condition for legal protection. If you’re dealing with a high-value piece or a large consignment, consider having a lawyer review the contract before signing. Any gallery that resists putting terms in writing or downplays the need for a formal agreement is a red flag. A professional gallery should expect to sign one and may already have a standard form. That doesn’t mean you can’t negotiate parts of it. If you need help drafting or reviewing an Art Consignment Agreement, the attorneys on Contracts Counsel would be happy to assist you.
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