Member Profile

Karen founded Art Law at Mishcon de Reya in 1995. Clients she represents, across the globe, include artists and their estates, collectors, dealers, art foundations and charities, auction houses, galleries, museums and governments. Karen advises on a wide range of art related matters such as sale and purchase of art, artists' rights, their legacy, creation and management of artists estates, disputes over attribution, authenticity and ownership, cultural heritage matters, restitution of looted cultural property and anti-money laundering regulations.

The legal directories describe Karen as 'pre-eminent in the field of art and cultural property'. She often features on 'Front Row', BBC Radio 4's flagship culture programme. Karen is quoted widely on art related legal issues and contributes to leading art publications including the Art Newspaper and Apollo. She is honorary legal counsel for the State Hermitage Foundation Museum, Israel. Karen is also a Trustee of Camden Arts Centre.

Our purpose remains rooted in our founding values. We have always been driven by an entrepreneurial, tenacious and socially conscious spirit: one that has always embraced change in order to stay relevant and shape the future.

From our offices in London and Singapore, we still counsel clients around the world with the same vision, dedication and passion that we set out with. We continue to fight for freedoms, settle disputes, protect assets and grow businesses. We fiercely guard our clients’ interests and appreciate the privilege of sitting alongside them as a trusted advisor.

However, we believe that lawyers must move from the age of instruction to the age of anticipation: to be pro-active, harness the law’s potential and unlock possibilities others do not see, and to champion diversity, innovation and sustainability.

We appreciate that business has never been so personal.

Advising on a dispute over Museum Security by Jean-Michel Basquiat between Lord Edward Spencer-Churchill and Jombihis Corporation, Alberto Mugrabi and Faggionato Fine Art, which resulted in a settlement and subsequent sale of the painting for US$14million.

Representing the Commissioners for the Church of England in relation to the sale of the Zurburán Old Masters at Auckland Castle, County Durham.

Securing the return of the Head of Amenhotep III (14th Century BC) to the Arab Republic of Egypt.

Representing the estate of Williams Roberts RA.

October 2017, Association of Professional Art Advisors conference 'Contemporary Art: A Conservational Challenge', London

January 2017, PAIAM, "Managing the Artist's Legacy – Protecting the integrity of the artist's oeuvre – Legal risks for experts and expert committees", Royal Academy of Arts, London

December 2016, ESCP Executive Specialised Master's Programme, "International Wealth Management – Art: Legal & Tax" and "Art Spoliation and International Litigation, London

November 2016, Catalogue Raisonné Symposium, "Authentication and Authentication Committees", London

November 2016, York University Art Law Module, London

October 2016, Plowden and Smith 50th Anniversary Event, "The Art Market – A Law Unto Itself", London

October 2016, RICS and APAA, "Art Market Standards – Code of Conduct and Ethics in the Art Market", London

June 2016, "UK Public Museums and their responsibilities to cultural heritage", University College, London

May 2016, Institute of Art and Law "Repatriation: Bringing an International Restitution Claim Through the Courts", London

April 2016, IBC Conference, "Considerations for Trustees investing in illiquid assets", London

April 2016, Hallett Insurance and AXA Art, "Cyber Crime, Accidents, Transit and Law – All in a Day at a Gallery", London

March 2016, Royal Academy of Arts, "Protecting your Art for the Future", London

January 2016, ESCP Executive Specialised Master's Programme, "International Wealth Management – Art: Legal & Tax", London

October 2015, International Fine Art & Specie Insurance Conference, "Adjusting the Fine Art Claim in the World of VARA and Droit Moral", London

October 2015, Franco-British Lawyers Society "The Art of Advising – Art Law in Practice", London

March 2015, International Bar Association Conference, "Pure Love of Art versus Mere Investment", London

November 2014, Art Law Foundation Conference "Risk, Rules & Opportunities in Art Investment", London

October 2014, Sculpture in the City debate in conjunction with Frieze Art Fair, "(SM)ARTPHONE – The Evolving Ownership of Art in a Digital Age", London