CREATIVE RIGHTS

Renée Vara provides legal expertise in areas including Expert Witnessing, Appraisal Mediation, Insurance Claims, Arbitration, and Visual Artists Right Act (VARA) with an established track-record in complex disputes. Renée has provided art expertise to cases including:

Providing expert analysis in Roper v. MKS 209 LLC et al. (2024–2025), a VARA case concerning the destruction of a public mural by Jestine Roper. The matter concluded with a successful settlement recognizing the artist’s rights.
Appointed as neutral valuation expert in Craven v. Halley (Pending), providing independent appraisal for an equitable distribution proceeding involving artworks owned jointly by the divorcing couple.
Appointed as neutral, court-approved valuation expert in Powers v. Powers (2022–2024), providing independent appraisal in an equitable distribution proceeding involving a significant postwar and contemporary art collection.
Providing expert opinion in State Street Global Advisors v. Visbal (Fearless Girl, 2021–2023), advising on moral rights, reproduction, and licensing matters for one of the most iconic public artworks in recent years.
Retained as expert witness in Heritage Capital Corp. v. Christie’s (2018–2019), a copyright dispute involving the reproduction and publication of historical materials.
Consulting in Mason v. Kirkwood Community College (2020–2021), regarding unauthorized alterations to a public artwork on campus and related VARA claims.
Advising in Cavallaro v. SLSCO (2020), a public art removal dispute involving artist moral rights and government infrastructure.
Serving as expert witness in the landmark VARA litigation 5Pointz v. G&M Realty (2015–2020), which resulted in a $6.75 million judgment in favor of a group of aerosol artists. Her testimony helped define the legal standard of “recognized stature” in contemporary art.
Serving as expert consultant in Martin Hilti Family Trust v. Knoedler Gallery (2014–2016), in a provenance dispute involving the sale of a painting attributed to Rothko, later scrutinized as part of the Knoedler forgery investigations.