Admissions:
New York, 2011

Education:
L.L.M., 2011, Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law, Dean’s Merit Scholarship
J.D., 2010, Stetson University College of Law
B.A., 2007, Cum Laude, Florida State University, Dean’s List

Summary:
New York-licensed Art Law attorney with an LL.M. in Intellectual Property. Background in art-related Holocaust restitution claims; arbitration and dispute resolution; and comparative law. Specializes in VARA claims.

Generally works with artists, collectors, and galleries on Intellectual Property matters, litigating disputes, negotiating contracts to transfer property, and estate planning. Experience includes VARA litigation, copyright litigation, drafting sales agreements, acquisition and enforcement of trademark rights (including office actions), protection of fashion designs, copyright licensing, royalty agreements, UDRP actions, LLC formations, as well as counseling clients on branding and building IP portfolios.

Experience:
Elston Law Studio, New York, NY Attorney, April 2012-present

Art Law and Intellectual Property

• Negotiate contracts for the sale, gift, and/or bequest of art to individuals and institutions
• Litigate disputes regarding the sale of art
• Advise on fair use issues related to artists’ uses of copyrighted and/or trademarked property
• Litigate copyright infringement claims
• Draft copyright assignments
• Draft licensing agreements
• Manage trusts
• Litigate VARA claims
• File federal copyright and trademark applications for registration
• Advise clients on gallery contracts.

W.R. Samuels Law, New York, NY Attorney, Fall 2011–April 2012

• Litigated Uniform Domain-Name Dispute-Resolution actions
• Reviewed royalty agreements for the music industry
• Defended against actions for breaches to software licensing agreements
• Acquired and enforced trademark rights
• Protected fashion designs
• Formed Limited Liability Corporations
• Counseled clients on branding and building Intellectual Property portfolios.

Christie’s, Inc., New York, NY Legal Intern, Spring 2011

• Managed discovery requests by working with department specialists
• Drafted litigation documents
• Researched import/export regulations
• Investigated title encumbrances
• Predicted potential liability exposure regarding provenance
• Advised board members on corporate bylaws.

US Holocaust Memorial Museum, Washington, DC Legal Intern, Fall 2010

• Explored methods of implementing domestic and international laws for restitution as well as current US obligations under various international agreements
• Researched foreign legislation and analyzed how a similar set of legal rules might be implemented in the US to effect the restitution of, or compensation for, property looted during World War II.

Mason Law, P.L., Clearwater, FL Law Clerk, Summer 2009

• Prepared briefs regarding breached fiduciary duty obligations
• Investigated the copyright status of internet images proposed for use
• Prepared affidavits concerning the actual and likelihood of confusion between similar names and marks.

Publications:
The Fine Art of Privacy in New York, American Society of International Law: Cultural Heritage & the Arts Review (Summer 2011).
Yale Univ. v. Konowaloff, 2010 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 103024 (D. Conn. Sept. 29, 2010) Amicus brief prepared for the US District Court regarding the Act of State Doctrine. (assistant editor)
Grosz v. Museum of Modern Art, 772 F. Supp. 2d 473 (S.D.N.Y., 2010), aff’d, 403 Fed. Appx. 575 (2d Cir. N.Y. 2010); cert. denied, 181 L. Ed. 2d 30 (U.S. 2011) Amicus brief prepared for the US Supreme Court in support of the writ of certiorari. (assistant editor)

Teaching Experience:
March 2014 Meredith College – Raleigh, NC. Guest lecturer in Professional Studio Practices course. Discussed legal issues facing artists such as VARA, fair use, sales and gallery contracts, etc.
April 2013 Baruch College – New York, NY. Guest lecturer in MBA course. Discussed uses of copyrighted and trademarked images on the internet.
November 2012 Baruch College – New York, NY. Guest lecturer in undergraduate level business course. Discussed use of copyrighted and trademarked images on the internet.
October 2012 – East Hampton, NY. Lecturer for presentation on copyright law for artists.

Additional Credentials:
Moot Court
The Order of Barristers
William F. Blews Pro Bono Service Award