Led by Simon Fitzpatrick, Boodle Hatfield LLP has an excellent reputation in the market for its work on big art law litigation cases. It is regarded as one of the premier advisers for those who have highly valuable art collections. In addition, the versatile team advises galleries, artists, auction houses and high-net-worth individuals on their commercial art matters; the group has recently advised on some of the most significant purchases of art. Natasha Hassall specialises in acting for large landed estates with heritage property and substantial art collections, while Eleanor Sepanski advises private clients on the sale and purchase of valuable artworks. Senior associate Fred Clark covers the full spectrum of commercial art matters such as lending, copyright and collection management issues and the buying and selling of art. Rebecca Foden is also recommended.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

  • ‘It's an excellent team, with strong leadership under Simon Fitzpatrick and good bench strength. The size of the Art and Cultural team puts it in a small elite group of art sector specialist law firms in London'.

  • ‘Simon Fitzpatrick is excellent to work with, thoughtful, considered with a raft of experience to draw from. Fred Clark is excellent, quick and helpful. He's also building a strong track record. Rebecca Foden is smart and considered. Clients like working with her'.

  • ‘The breadth and depth of the art law knowledge and capability of the Boodle Hatfield art law team knows few rivals in the London art law market. The team has long-standing pedigree, with strength in both litigation and transactional work, and has worked with an impressive client list over many years'.

  • ‘Simon Fitzpatrick stands out for his knowledge of the art market and his practical and thoughtful approach. Fred Clark has led on some impressive art market transactional work, and has a solid understanding of emerging technologies in the market such as NFTs.’

  • ‘Convincing ability in understanding the risks of the situation. Handling the case with professional guidance and attention'.

  • ‘Strong and established art and cultural property practice. Particularly strong on art related dispute resolution. Their team of art law experts have a deep understanding of the intricacies and unique challenges of the art world, combining legal knowledge with a genuine passion for the arts'.

  • ‘Simon Fitzpatrick heads the team. A serious detail focused litigator. He is assisted by Rebecca Foden and Fred Clark - both rising stars in the art law field’.

  • ‘Simon Fitzpatrick is an outstanding team leader - he is razor sharp, fair minded and commercially sensitive. Rebecca Foden is an absolute star - diligent, empathetic and sensible'.

Lawyers

Leading associates
Rising stars with regular involvement in their team's key work, and recognition from peers or clients as being ones to watch.
Leading partners
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.
Hall of fameBoodle Hatfield LLP
Simon is Head of Litigation and of the firm's art team at Boodle Hatfield.  His practice covers a broad range of commercial litigation for a range of clients including high net worth individuals and privately owned companies. Simon's specialist knowledge of art law and art litigation includes auction house misattribution, auction house negligence, authenticity and provenance claims. Much of Simon's work is for international clients and involves working with lawyers in other jurisdictions to resolve commercial disputes both in this country and abroad.
Boodle Hatfield LLP
Natasha is a Partner in the Private Client and Tax team. Natasha advises on long term estate planning, handling both onshore and offshore trusts, tax planning and wills. She is very experienced in dealing with large landed estates, family offices and, in particular, heritage property issues. She undertakes a great deal of work involving complicated trusts; asset protection and devolution; and capital tax planning and also looks after several large families based outside the UK.

Practice head

The lawyer(s) leading their teams.

Simon Fitzpatrick

Other key lawyers

Natasha Hassall, Fred Clark, Eleanor Sepanski, Rebecca Foden