Episode 10: Art Litigation with William Charron

On this episode, Maxwell Goss speaks with William Charron, the nation's leading art law and litigation attorney, who handles a wide range of art authenticity, title, and related matters, as well as commercial and IP matters. Bill discusses a high-profile case in which he represented the owner of artwork alleged to have been stolen by the Nazis in World War II. Bill also provides insights into the fascinating world of art law and litigation, and provides advice for those seeking to make a career in this exciting field.

“These cases bring in the mix not only law, but emotion and morals and a number of questions that the law simply can’t answer, but that it is unquestionably guided by, because judges are people, too.”

-William Charron

Episode Outline

00:18 – Introduction

01:37 – William Charron’s law practice

02:54 – How Bill got into art law

03:56 – Law and Economics in art law

007:04 – Representing Phil Spector in the “Be My Baby” case

08:33 – Representing Nelly Furtado in the “Do It” case

09:59 – The Court of Arbitration for Art (CAfA)

14:00 – Deep dive on the Egon Schiele “Torso” case

34:11 – The laches defense in art law

38:53 – The big issues in art law today

42:03 – Bill’s advice for those interested in pursuing art law

45:08 – Where to find Bill online

Resources

About William Charron

William Charron is one of the nation’s preeminent litigators for authenticity, title, and stolen art disputes. Bill is the co-chair of Pryor Cashman’s Art Law practice and is a member of the firm’s Litigation, Intellectual Property, and Media and Entertainment Groups. He frequently lectures and writes on issues impacting the art world, including World War II restitution cases, art authenticity, artist royalty rights, and procedural law issues. Clients enthuse that he is a “very innovative and forward-thinking person,” and “extremely knowledgeable in all kinds of ways in all areas of art law.”

In addition to his work in art law, Bill has extensive experience handling commercial litigation involving property rights in a number of contexts, including intellectual property matters arising under the Copyright and Lanham Acts, right of publicity, and defamation cases, and real estate litigation. He has also represented clients in complex cases involving civil RICO, securities fraud, and banking claims, as well as contract, shareholder, and LLC membership disputes.

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About The Litigation War Room

The Litigation War Room presents great stories and great insights from some of the nation’s most accomplished courtroom lawyers.

The Litigation War Room is hosted by Maxwell Goss, a litigation attorney with the intellectual property boutique firm Fishman Stewart PLLC. Max represents clients in intellectual property and business cases in Michigan and around the country, bringing forceful advocacy and creative solutions to every case he handles.

max@thelitigationwarroom.com

About Maxwell Goss