International Cultural Property Preservation

Our experience in international art and cultural heritage matters includes helping sovereign governments to obtain Memoranda of Understanding with the United States under the Cultural Property Implementation Act to obtain provide protection for native art and objects which may have been illegally exported. Our attorneys understand the potential implications of admiralty law in certain art and cultural heritage matters, as well as the broad array of international conventions governing shipwrecks and underwater cultural heritage. We can assist individuals, institutions and governments to craft policies on international collection practices, resolving ownership disputes and managing risk.

We serve as U.S. counsel for cultural heritage destinations abroad, helping to create and manage American 501(c)(3) foundations to support the sustainable development of these sites. We can also advise American businesses working abroad on the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act and interactions with sovereign governments.

We provide guidance on conventions relevant to international cultural heritage, including the UNESCO Convention on the Protection of the Underwater Cultural Heritage, the 1970 UNESCO Convention on the Means of Prohibiting and Preventing the Illicit Import, Export and Transfer of Ownership of Cultural Property, and 1954 Hague Convention and its First and Second Protocols.