Jana Farmer represents client interests in connection with design professional matters and architects’ copyright; intellectual property matters involving copyright, sale and transfer of rights in artwork; protection of valuable creative assets; and general commercial disputes. In addition to handling cases before New York state courts, she defends clients in federal courts and in arbitrations and employs mediation to facilitate the cost-effective resolution of disputes. Jana also has experience conducting e-discovery and cross-border discovery in complex cases with large volumes of electronic evidence. Her clientele includes architects and engineers in design professional liability matters, participants in all stages of the creation and transfer of ownership in works of art, and business owners in other intellectual property and general business matters.
Drawing on her international background, experience working with multinational clients and exposure to other cultures, Jana crafts an approach based on an understanding of differences in attitudes and perceptions. With a background in the performing arts, Jana is known for her discipline and extraordinary focus on a carefully conceived resolution plan designed to determine likely exposure, identify options and ultimately conclude in outcomes that make sense for the client. Jana interned with an international law firm while at St. Petersburg University in Russia, focusing on transactional work for a major auto manufacturer and on drafting client alerts on tax issues.
Areas of Focus
Art Law
Jana provides reliable legal counsel to virtually all participants in the creation, licensing, sale, lending, gifting, merchandising and display of art. Frequently working cross-practice with Wilson Elser’s attorneys specializing in other areas such as trusts and estates, taxation and bankruptcy, she represents artists, collectors and buyers, sellers, insurers, gallerists and dealers, consultants and museums. A key contributor to the expansion of the firm’s Art Law practice, Jana is familiar with applicable statutes and codes and skilled at safeguarding and protecting valuable creative assets.
Insurance Coverage
Jana is tuned into the issues arising out of the need to obtain appropriate insurance coverage in transactional matters and insurance-related claims in the general liability, fine art, architects and engineers, directors and officers, and other professional liability policies, representing the interests of underwriters and their insureds.
More Legal and Business Bylines From Jana S. Farmer
- SCOTUS Sets Precedent on the Expropriation Exception to the Foreign Sovereign Immunities Act in the Guelph Treasure Case, and Other Stories - (Posted On Tuesday, February 09, 2021)
- 5Pointz Artists Claim Final Victory as SCOTUS Denies Cert & Other Headlines - (Posted On Friday, October 16, 2020)
- Brooklyn Museum Deaccessioning Artworks, Banksy Loses Trademark Battle and Other Stories - (Posted On Wednesday, September 30, 2020)
- Disgraced Art Dealer Inigo Philbrick Indicted on Federal Fraud Charges & Other Stories - (Posted On Friday, July 31, 2020)
- Paris Dealer Who Sold Golden Sarcophagus to the Met Charged with Money Laundering & Other Stories - (Posted On Monday, July 20, 2020)
- U.S. Supreme Court Will Hear Appeal over Restitution of the Guelph Treasure & Other Stories - (Posted On Wednesday, July 08, 2020)
- Street Art Sent to Space & Other Headlines - (Posted On Monday, June 15, 2020)
- Hirst Spot Print Turned into Spots by MSCHF, Courtroom Artists Face New Challenge, Banksy Pays Homage to Hospital Workers - (Posted On Thursday, May 28, 2020)
- A Case for Indiana Jones: Oxford Professor Arrested for Allegedly Selling Stolen Goods & Other Art World Headlines - (Posted On Tuesday, May 12, 2020)
- An Art World Copyright Update & Other Stories - (Posted On Friday, April 17, 2020)
Jana Farmer, an intellectual property law attorney specializing in artwork and creative assets at Wilson Elser, is a 2019 National Law Review Go-To Thought Leader for her depth of knowledge in domestic and international art insurance law and money laundering prevention. Ms. Farmer covers topics ranging from art heists to insurance coverage for fine art and art and design professionals and keeps National Law Review readers informed of interesting legal developments from Nazi-Looted art to anti-money laundering legislation for the antiquities market.