Contact a German Art Lawyer
Do you require legal advice concerning a work of art, collection, art transaction or restitution matter in Germany?
Dr. Louis Rönsberg and our German Art Law team advise collectors, heirs, museums, foundations, galleries, art dealers and auction houses from Germany and abroad.
Legal Advice on German Art Law
We regularly advise international clients on matters involving German art law, including art transactions, auctions, authenticity and art forgery disputes, Nazi-looted art and restitution, cultural property law and art litigation.
You are welcome to contact us in English or German.
Contact Dr. Louis Rönsberg
Dr. Louis Rönsberg
German-qualified Lawyer (Rechtsanwalt) | Partner
SLB Rechtsanwaltsgesellschaft mbH
Leopoldstr. 175
80804 Munich
Germany
Phone: +49 89 51 24 27 0
Email: roensberg@slb-law.de
How We Can Assist
- what the matter concerns,
- which parties are involved,
- whether the artwork or transaction has a connection to Germany,
- whether any deadlines or court proceedings are pending, and
- which relevant documents are available.
Please briefly describe your matter when contacting us. If possible, let us know:
For an initial assessment, it is usually sufficient to provide the most important documents, such as a purchase agreement, auction catalogue, correspondence, provenance documentation, expert report or restitution request.
If your matter is urgent or subject to a deadline, please indicate this clearly in your message.
International Clients
You do not need to be based in Germany to instruct us.
We regularly advise and represent international clients who require a German art lawyer in connection with transactions, disputes or proceedings in Germany.
Consultations and correspondence can be conducted entirely in English. Meetings can take place by telephone or video conference, so in most cases an initial meeting in Germany is not necessary.
Where a matter involves several jurisdictions, we can coordinate with specialised foreign lawyers, provenance researchers, art historians and other experts as required.
German Art Law Expertise
Our art law practice includes:
- Art Transactions & Art Sales
- German Art Auction Law
- Art Forgery & Authenticity
- Nazi-Looted Art & Restitution
- German Cultural Property Law
- Art Litigation in Germany
If you are unsure whether your matter falls within our practice, please feel free to contact us with a brief description of the case.
Contact Us
If you require advice on German art law or representation in an art-related matter in Germany, please contact Dr. Louis Rönsberg and our German Art Law team.
We will review your enquiry and let you know whether and how we can assist.
FAQs
Can I contact you before deciding whether to instruct your law firm?
Yes. You are welcome to send us an initial enquiry describing your matter. Contacting us does not in itself oblige you to instruct us. Once we understand the basic facts, we can discuss whether and how we may be able to assist you.
Does sending an initial enquiry immediately result in legal fees?
Simply sending us an enquiry does not automatically mean that substantive legal work will be undertaken. If we are able to assist, the scope of our engagement and the applicable fees can be clarified before we begin substantive legal work.
What information should I provide with my initial enquiry?
A short description of the matter is usually sufficient to start. It is helpful to tell us which artwork, collection or transaction is involved, who the other parties are, what has happened and what you would like to achieve. Please also let us know if any deadlines or court proceedings are pending.
Can I send documents and photographs with my enquiry?
Yes. Relevant documents and images can help us understand the matter. Depending on the case, these may include purchase agreements, invoices, auction catalogues, provenance records, expert opinions, authenticity documentation, correspondence or photographs of the artwork. For an initial enquiry, it is usually sufficient to provide the most important documents. We can request additional material if necessary.
Can I contact you in English?
Yes. We regularly advise international collectors, heirs, galleries, art dealers, museums, foundations and other clients in cross-border art law matters. Communication, legal advice and correspondence can be conducted entirely in English.
Do I need to come to your office in Munich?
Usually not. Many art law matters can be handled by email, telephone and video conference. International clients generally do not need to travel to Munich simply to make an initial enquiry or instruct us. Where necessary, we can also represent clients in negotiations and proceedings before German courts.
How quickly should I contact an art lawyer about my matter?
As early as possible if a dispute has arisen, a transaction is imminent or legal deadlines may apply. Early advice can also be important where questions of authenticity, provenance, restitution, cultural property law or the condition of an artwork require evidence to be preserved or investigated before further action is taken.
Looking for a German Art Lawyer?
If you are based outside Germany and require legal advice concerning a work of art, collection, auction or restitution matter with a connection to Germany, we would be pleased to assess whether we can assist.
Dr. Louis Rönsberg and our German Art Law team advise and represent international clients throughout Germany.