Art. Fashion. Inspiration. NYC.

New York City is the place to be this February for a dynamic duo of conferences hosted by the Federal Bar Association at the famed National Arts Club! To register for the always probing, inspiring, and illuminating Art Law & Litigation Conference as well as Fashion Law Conference, please visit fedbar.org/event/artlaw20  or fedbar.org/event/fashionlaw20.

The Art Law & Litigation Conference Committee, consisting of Raymond Dowd, Betsy Dale, Dennis Wade, Lisa Moore, and Chris Alfieri, share their thoughts on what makes the upcoming Art Law Conference the hottest ticket in town!

Describe some of the unique facets of the Art Law Conference.

The conference on Thursday, February 6, 2020 will be held in a special location for people interested in art and New York City history—The National Arts Club, housed in the beautiful historic Samuel Tilden Mansion in Gramercy Park. The planning committee conducted a nationwide search and received unusually strong panel proposals this year, resulting in exceptional programming presented by some of the most prominent art world players with a variety of perspectives. For example, leading art lawyer John Cahill will moderate a unique panel, including Italian art lawyer Massimo Sterpi, that will examine legal issues triggered by the use of artificial intelligence in the production, authentication, and sale of art.

Why is the time ripe for a conference of this nature?

Technological developments are rapidly changing every aspect of the way we live and work. It is vital for art law practitioners and attorneys interested in working in this space to keep abreast of how these developments affect artists, collectors, investors, and dealers. This conference will provide a thorough overview of the most important developments.

Who should attend the Art Law Conference?

This conference is designed both for the general practitioner who is interested in learning about the most pressing topics in the art law space, and for the art law attorney who regularly advises artists, collectors, investors, and dealers to stay up to date on the latest developments. The event will also be an unparalleled networking opportunity for students and for people interested in learning how to become an art law attorney. Also, this may be one of the most fun ways to earn a day full of CLEs!

To further explore the intersection between artistic expression and the law, the FBA is ecstatic to host the Fashion Law Conference at The National Arts Club on Friday, February 7, 2020 to coincide with New York Fashion Week. Attendees will receive valuable insight regarding emerging fashion law trends from such acclaimed speakers as Elisheva Jasie, assistant general counsel, Coty; Julie Zerbo, editor in chief, The Fashion Law; and Frédéric Galinier, director, Legal, Social, and Institutional Affairs Department, French Fashion Federation.

Olivera Medenica, founder and co-chair of the Federal Bar Association’s annual Fashion Law Conference, discusses the distinctive qualities of the 2020 Fashion Law Conference:

What hot topics are being covered at this year’s Fashion Law Conference?

We are covering a wide range of topics from fashion tech, to labor and employment issues, intellectual property, international trade, cannabis, and corporate responsibility and sustainability.  One of our panels will provide a discussion of in-house perspectives and we have a great keynote speaker who will cover the topic of how to police against counterfeits.

How have you seen the practice area of Fashion Law change?

Many of the topics remain the same, such as traditional intellectual property consideration and labor issues.  But the industry has changed in the past eight years. We see a greater reliance on fashiontech to engage consumers and fight counterfeits.  We also see greater public discourse in corporate responsibility and sustainability.  Fashion related imports are also front and center in the discussion of trade sanctions and the protection of local manufacturing.  The fashion industry touches upon so many issues, and the point of the conference is more on breadth of topics covered rather than making anyone a specialist on any particular topic.  Our conference is pragmatic and aimed towards the business sector to provide real life solutions.

What tools will attendees walk away with after attending the Fashion Law Conference?

A greater awareness of how diverse practices of law intersect and impact each other in the fashion industry.  We cover the main topics that every practitioner in this field should know about.  You don’t need to attend multiple CLEs—we have it all here for you in one day at one of the most beautiful and exclusive locations in NYC.

Attend the Art Law and Fashion Law conferences to enhance and advance your career. Combine your Art Law and Fashion Law conference registration for a steal of a deal! Visit fedbar.org/event/artlaw20 and fedbar.org/event/fashionlaw20.

About the Author

Stacy Slotnick, Esq. holds a J.D., cum laude, from Touro Law Center and a B.A., summa cum laude, from the University of Massachusetts Amherst. She performs a broad range of duties as an entertainment lawyer, including drafting and negotiating contracts; addressing and litigating trademark, copyright, patent, and other IP issues; and directing the strategy and implementation of public relations, blogging, and social media campaigns.

About the FBA

Founded in 1920, the Federal Bar Association is dedicated to the advancement of the science of jurisprudence and to promoting the welfare, interests, education, and professional development of all attorneys involved in federal law. Our more than 16,000 members run the gamut of federal practice: attorneys practicing in small to large legal firms, attorneys in corporations and federal agencies, and members of the judiciary. The FBA is the catalyst for communication between the bar and the bench, as well as the private and public sectors. Visit us at fedbar.org to learn more.