Ann M. Garfinkle

In the vibrant cultural and creative landscape of Washington, D.C., where art thrives and legacies are built, specialized legal guidance is often indispensable. Navigating the unique intersection of art, intellectual property, and estate planning requires an attorney with not only deep legal knowledge but also a profound understanding of the creative world and its specific needs. For artists, collectors, galleries, and individuals seeking to preserve their legacy, Ann M. Garfinkle stands as a distinguished and highly experienced legal professional in the District. This article aims to provide a clear, engaging, and informative overview of Ann M. Garfinkle's practice, highlighting her decades of expertise and her dedication to serving the local D.C. community with tailored legal solutions.

With five decades of experience, Ann M. Garfinkle has carved out a unique niche in the legal field, focusing on "the art business" and complex estate matters. Her career has been dedicated to helping people navigate complicated areas of the law, from protecting artistic creations and collections to ensuring seamless transitions of intellectual property through wills and trusts. While feedback on legal services can vary, Ms. Garfinkle's extensive background and consistent recognition in her specialized fields underscore her commitment to expert representation. For anyone in Washington, D.C., with legal needs involving art, intellectual property, or sophisticated estate planning, Ann M. Garfinkle offers a rare combination of legal acumen and industry-specific insight.

Location and Accessibility

Ann M. Garfinkle's office is conveniently located at 1800 M St NW #450n, Washington, DC 20036, USA. This address places her practice in a prime, central location within Northwest Washington, D.C., an area bustling with legal and business activity. The office's strategic position on M Street NW offers excellent accessibility for clients residing throughout the District of Columbia and the wider metropolitan area, making it a highly practical choice for those seeking specialized legal services.

For individuals utilizing public transportation, the office is exceptionally well-connected. It is within comfortable walking distance of several Metro stations, including Farragut North (Red Line) and Farragut West (Orange, Blue, and Silver Lines). These Metro hubs provide extensive connectivity throughout the city and to surrounding suburbs, ensuring ease of access for clients from various neighborhoods. Additionally, numerous bus routes operate along M Street NW and the adjacent avenues. While finding street parking in downtown D.C. can sometimes be challenging, there are typically multiple commercial parking garages available in the immediate vicinity of 1800 M Street NW. The firm's easily reachable location underscores its commitment to providing convenient access for all its D.C. clientele, especially those needing highly specialized legal advice.

Services Offered

Ann M. Garfinkle focuses her practice on niche areas of law, primarily serving clients involved in the arts and those requiring sophisticated estate planning. Her extensive experience allows her to provide comprehensive legal solutions in these specialized fields. The core services offered include:

• Art Law: Representing artists, estates of artists, galleries, and collectors in all aspects of "the art business." This includes negotiating and drafting contracts for the sale, exhibition, and loan of artworks; advising on intellectual property issues related to art (such as copyright registration, licensing artistic works internationally, and addressing infringement); and representing non-profit art and art conservation entities, including advising on applications for 501(c)(3) status. She has represented prominent American and European painters and sculptors, including artists who create large-scale outdoor sculpture for public spaces.
• Estate Planning: Providing extensive experience in drafting wills and trusts, including complex arrangements for substantial estates. She has particular expertise in bequests of intellectual property, which is crucial for artists and collectors, and experience with blended and non-traditional families to ensure their unique needs are met.
• Probate and Estate Administration: Guiding clients through the probate process, including the administration of estates, and handling probate disputes, which can involve litigation when necessary.
• Intellectual Property (Copyright): Specifically focusing on copyright law, offering advice on copyright registration, protection, and licensing for artistic and literary works, crucial for creators and those managing their intellectual assets.
• Business Law (as it pertains to art and estates): Advising on various business law matters relevant to the art world, such as agreements between U.S. and foreign art venues, and the overall business operations of galleries and art fairs.
• Art Conservation Law: Offering legal guidance related to the conservation of art, a highly specialized area that addresses the preservation and restoration of artworks.
• Mediation: With a background in mediation for professionals, she offers alternative dispute resolution services to resolve conflicts effectively.

Features / Highlights

Ann M. Garfinkle's practice is distinguished by several key features and remarkable highlights that underscore her unique expertise and standing in the legal community:

• Five Decades of Experience: Having been admitted to practice in Washington D.C. and New York since 1968, Ms. Garfinkle brings an exceptional depth of experience spanning over 50 years to her legal practice.
• Highly Specialized Niche: Her dedicated focus on "Art & Estate Law" sets her apart, providing tailored legal solutions for artists, collectors, galleries, and estates, a specialized area that requires unique insights and industry knowledge.
• Consistent Recognition: She has been consistently listed in The Best Lawyers in America since 2017 and holds a "Preeminent Lawyer" AV Peer Review Rating from Martindale-Hubbell for over 25 years. She was also recognized in the Inaugural Edition of the Bar Register of Preeminent Women Lawyers in 2011 and 2012.
• Prominent Clients and Estates: Ms. Garfinkle has represented numerous significant clients, including the Estate of Morris Louis, and advises art galleries and art fairs, showcasing her involvement with high-profile entities in the art world.
• Prolific Author and Lecturer: She is a co-author of the "Art Law" sections of the annual editions of the DC Practice Manual (District of Columbia Bar Association, 2005-Present) and frequently lectures nationwide on Estate Planning for Artists and Collectors and The Law of Art Conservation.
• Commitment to the Arts Community: Beyond her practice, she is a member of the Maryland Institute College of Art (MICA) Board of Trustees, an elected member of ArtTable (a national organization of female professionals in the visual arts), and a founding director of the International Network for Conservators of Contemporary Art, North America (INCCA-NA), demonstrating her deep engagement with the arts.
• Experience with Complex Estates: Her experience extends to handling substantial estates and probate disputes, including litigation, ensuring comprehensive support for complex legacy planning.

Promotions or Special Offers

As a highly specialized and experienced legal professional, Ann M. Garfinkle does not typically offer "promotions" or "special offers" in the retail sense. Her value proposition is centered on her unparalleled expertise, personalized service, and decades of experience in niche areas of law, which are crucial for handling complex art and estate matters. Clients engage Ms. Garfinkle for her in-depth knowledge and her ability to navigate intricate legal challenges that require a sophisticated approach. Prospective clients are encouraged to contact her office directly to schedule a consultation. During this initial discussion, you can discuss your specific legal needs related to art, intellectual property, or estate planning, and gain an understanding of how her expertise can benefit your unique situation. This direct engagement allows for a clear understanding of the services provided and the associated fee structure.

Contact Information

For residents of the District of Columbia seeking highly specialized legal assistance in art law, estate planning, and intellectual property, Ann M. Garfinkle can be reached at:

• Address: 1800 M St NW #450n, Washington, DC 20036, USA
• Phone: (202) 659-6819
• Mobile Phone: +1 202-659-6819

Connecting with Ms. Garfinkle's office by phone is the most direct way to discuss your legal needs and arrange for an initial consultation. Her professional team can provide guidance on the intake process and help you prepare for your first meeting.

Conclusion: Why this place is suitable for locals

For residents of the District of Columbia, Ann M. Garfinkle is an exceptionally suitable and invaluable legal resource, particularly for those whose lives and livelihoods intersect with the art world or who require sophisticated estate planning. Her deep roots in Washington D.C., coupled with five decades of highly specialized experience, make her uniquely equipped to address the nuanced legal needs of the local community.

The firm's convenient and accessible location on M Street NW in the heart of D.C. ensures that clients from across the city can easily access her office. More importantly, Ms. Garfinkle's very specific practice areas—art law, intellectual property (especially copyright), and complex wills, trusts, and probate—directly cater to a significant segment of D.C.'s population, including artists, collectors, gallery owners, and high-net-worth individuals focused on legacy preservation. Her extensive background includes representing prominent artists and estates, which speaks directly to the needs of a city with rich cultural institutions and a thriving arts scene. For D.C. locals, this specialized expertise means that whether you are an artist seeking to protect your creations, a collector managing your valuable assets, or an individual planning for the intricate distribution of your intellectual property, Ann M. Garfinkle offers not just legal representation but a trusted, knowledgeable partner who understands the unique intersection of law, art, and personal legacy in the nation's capital. Her long-standing presence and consistent recognition further solidify her as an ideal choice for the community's most specialized legal needs.