This advanced, practice-focused seminar examines the U.S. legal frameworks governing the protection, ownership, importation, and enforcement of art and antiquities. The course explores how federal statutes, regulatory regimes, and international agreements—particularly the UNESCO 1970 Convention—shape the U.S. approach to cultural property protection.
Students will analyze how lawyers advise museums, collectors, dealers, auction houses, and government agencies in navigating provenance issues, import restrictions, forfeiture actions, and restitution claims. The course emphasizes real-world practice: due diligence in acquisitions, responding to government seizures, defending ownership claims, and negotiating repatriation.
The seminar treats art and antiquities law as a high-risk, high-value legal practice, where legal compliance, reputational concerns, and financial stakes converge. Students will develop practical skills in compliance design, litigation strategy, and transactional risk management.
This course assumes prior study of property law, international law, or art law.
Course Objectives
By the end of the course, students should be able to:
1. Understand U.S. legal frameworks protecting art and antiquities.
2. Analyze ownership and title issues in cultural property.
3. Evaluate import/export restrictions and enforcement mechanisms.
4. Assess risks in art transactions and acquisitions.
5. Understand government seizure and forfeiture processes.
6. Navigate restitution and repatriation claims.
7. Advise clients on compliance and due diligence.
8. Evaluate litigation strategies in cultural property disputes.
9. Assess ethical considerations in art law practice.
10. Apply legal principles to real-world art and antiquities scenarios.
