Karen Sanig

Partner

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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. Karen is a Trustee of Camden Arts Centre and the Burlington Magazine.

More Details

Key Experience

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.

Recent speaking engagements:

Transcontinental Trusts Geneva – Panel discussion on the legal obligations and consequences of naming rights in relation to art donations – 19 May 2022
International Bar Association - Art disputes and how to avoid them - Resolving art disputes through mediation and arbitration – 28 April 2021
University of Warwick - Introduction to Commercial Art Law, Restitution & Provenance – 9 February 2021
Jewish Book Week – Panel Discussion with Geoffrey Robertson on "Who Owns History?" - the case for returning plundered treasure - 4 March 2020
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

Career History

Partner, Mishcon de Reya LLP
Assistant, Mishcon de Reya LLP
Articled, Clifford Chance LLP London and Paris

Karen's years of knowledge and insight are second to none.
Chambers High Net Worth Guide, 2025

Karen is an incredible strategist. She can see within a really complicated matter how to quickly dissect the issues and forge a clear path to resolution.
Chambers and Partners, 2025

Words cannot describe how brilliant Karen Sanig is. I have worked with Karen intensely for decades and am always impressed with the breadth and scope of her knowledge and the wisdom of her advice.
Chambers and Partners, 2025

Karen Sanig is very well respected and is one of the eminent leaders in the art law world. She has seen a lot of important cases and is at the top of her game.
Chambers and Partners, 2025

Karen Sanig was a class act who ran a brilliant team. She was funny, supportive, possessing formidable intellectual fire power and a brilliant strategic brain.
Legal 500, 2025

Karen Sanig came highly recommended from everybody with whom we spoke to in the art world, both in the UK and abroad. Her well-deserved reputation for excellence preceded her.
Legal 500, 2025

Karen is the ultimate art law professional, an absolute star. She is working on very complicated art transactions and litigation. She represents big institutions at the pinnacle of her career. She is so smart and wonderful to work with!
Chambers and Partners, 2024

Karen is one of the most knowledgeable and extraordinary professionals in the field of art. She is second to none.
Chambers and Partners, 2024

Karen is the ultimate art law professional, an absolute star. She is working on very complicated art transactions and litigation. She represents big institutions at the pinnacle of the career. She is so smart and wonderful to work with!
Chambers High Net Worth Guide 2023

Karen is one of the most knowledgeable and extraordinary professionals in the field of art. She is second to none.
Chambers High Net Worth Guide 2023

Karen is extremely astute and experienced in the field. She was highly respected by the counterparty for her no-nonsense approach.
Chambers and Partners 2023

She's a stalwart of art law. She's very professional and very respected in the space.
Chambers and Partners 2023

Karen Sanig is outstanding, knowledgeable, technically proficient and phenomenal at finding commercial and creative solutions to any technical and challenging issues. She is my number one choice of art lawyer.
Legal 500 2023