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Art and advisory
Today’s collectors, estates, and institutions require transparency, strategy, and accountability. With numerous large-scale collections amassed over decades coming to market, 'Withers Art and Advisory' offers a uniquely integrated strategic advisory service which combines top tier legal experience with commercial art market insight.
We provide strategic advice and counsel to clients as they grow, live with and eventually sell major artworks and collections. For clients preparing to sell or who want a strategic approach to legacy planning, rigorous due diligence, careful positioning and thoughtful timing matters. In today's art market, considered strategy, not just the quality of art, drives outcomes, so the right business and legal advice makes all the difference. That is where informed, fiduciary and commercially minded guidance has its greatest impact.
As part of an international law firm, 'Withers Art and Advisory' operates under the highest professional and fiduciary standards: conflict checks, confidentiality, and an unwavering duty of loyalty to our clients. We do not act as a broker, source art or advise clients what to buy. We do not accept third-party commissions. Instead we deliver independent, conflict-free advice grounded in real market knowledge and legal safeguards.
An insider’s vantage point
Led by Mari-Claudia Jiménez - a former Chairman and President of Sotheby’s and one of the market’s most trusted dealmakers - our team helps clients navigate the art world’s complexities with confidence, discretion, and rigor.
Mari-Claudia's more than 20-year career combines multiple vantage points on the art world. Before joining Withers, she rose through the ranks at Sotheby’s - serving as Chairman, Head of Global Business Development and ultimately, President of the Americas - where she played a pivotal role in landmark sales such as the $922m Macklowe Collection and estates of Emily Fisher Landau, Mo Ostin and Paul Newman.
Earlier in her career, she represented collectors and estates as a leading art lawyer, advising on record-breaking transactions including the record-breaking sales of Klimt’s Portrait of Adele Bloch-Bauer I and Picasso's Nude, Green Leaves and Bust - both of which were the most expensive paintings ever sold and ever sold at auction at the time. Few advisors can match this blend of executive auction experience and art law authority.
She is joined by Frank K. Lord IV, a lawyer and art historian with a PhD in art history. That background gives him a uniquely nuanced view of the legal issues clients face, as he speaks their language and shares their devotion to the works of art that are at the core of what we do. Mari-Claudia and Frank began their legal careers together in the art law group of Herrick, Feinstein LLP where they worked on many of the market’s highest-profile, record breaking art transactions. They are now again joining forces to combine their unparalleled perspectives and experience in 'Withers Art and Advisory'.
Services
- Strategic planning and management of major purchases, sales and estate dispositions
- Auction house selection, negotiation, and sale oversight
- Contract drafting and negotiation - maximizing value and mitigating risk
- Advice on financing options
- Market intelligence and competitive positioning
- Referrals to and coordination with global network of art market experts and service providers - appraisers, specialists, restorers, insurers, shippers, storage providers, bankers, accountants
Withers Art and Advisory
The Fiduciary Eye
The Fiduciary Eye is our seasonal newsletter providing data-driven insight about the art market written from a fiduciary's perspective.
LEARN MORETrack record
Advised a major international collector
Advised a major international collector on legacy and strategic sale planning for their collection.
Advised heirs to renowned artist
Advised the heirs of an internationally renowned Latin American artist on all matters related to the management of their parent's artistic legacy.
Representing the heirs of a collecting family in a significant sale
Representing the heirs of an internationally renowned collecting family in the sale of a unique and very valuable ancient manuscript.
Meet the team
Mari-Claudia Jiménez
Partner | Withers Art and Advisory | New York
Mari-Claudia Jiménez
Partner | Withers Art and Advisory | New York
Withers Art and Advisory
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Frank K. Lord IV
Senior Counsel | Withers Art and Advisory | New York
Frank K. Lord IV
Senior Counsel | Withers Art and Advisory | New York
Withers Art and Advisory
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Sarina Taylor
Associate | New York
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