Having been a partner in or of counsel to several law firms for many years, Peter R. Stern is now a solo practitioner. He maintains a general legal practice and has acted with legal matters in many areas, including corporate, estate, trust and foundation matters.
Mr. Stern’s general practice concentrates on art-related matters and clients who are part of the art world. He has provided general counseling to and representation of in excess of 100 galleries/dealers, 100 artists and artists’ estates, many collectors, as well as a number of auction houses and insurance companies. These activities relate to a wide variety of commercial or transactional matters, such as the formation of art-related businesses or ventures and sale, consignment, loan or representation agreements.
Mr. Stern is highly experienced in art-related litigation. He has handled countless disputes relating to art, including numerous cases as to the authenticity and ownership of artworks. For nearly 25 years he was an outside counsel to a major auction house, handling in excess of 150 matters.
Mr. Stern has been active with a number of not-for-profit institutions. In particular, he has been a member of the Board of Directors of Volunteer Lawyers for the Arts (1995 to date), Chairman of the Board (1999-2009) and Chairman Emeritus (2009 to date). www.vlany.org. He is also on the Art Advisory Board of the Internal Foundation for Art Research. www.ifar.org.
Prior to maintaining a private practice, Mr. Stern was Of Counsel to the law firm of McLaughlin & Stern, LLP (2004-2017). Previously, Mr. Stern was a partner in the firm of Berger Stern & Webb and its predecessor firms (1980-2003). Prior to that, Mr. Stern was associated with Winthrop Stimson Putnam & Roberts (1974-1980).
Mr. Stern obtained his B.A. (1969) and J.D. (1972) from Columbia University, where he was writing and research editor for the Columbia Journal of Law and Social Problems, Mr. Stern clerked for Judge Edward R. Neaher of the United States District Court for the Eastern District of New York (1972-1974).
Mr. Stern is admitted to the New York State bar (1973).
Mr. Stern speaks fluent French and understands Spanish.
Mr. Stern has been listed for many years in New York Superlawyers, as well as Who’s Who in America and Who’s Who in American Law. He is AV® Peer Review Rated by Martindale-Hubbell.
