Aurele Danoff Pelaia provides experienced counsel in intellectual property, commercial, and employment issues, with a focus on the fine art, entertainment, and fashion industries.

Aurele brings nearly two decades of legal experience to her practice, where she combines a passion for the arts with extensive experience in intellectual property, commercial, and employment law. As counsel at Eisner’s Beverly Hills office, Aurele provides comprehensive support to a wide range of clients, including those in fine art, fashion, film, music, and technology. Her work in the art world includes advising galleries, collectors, artists, and auction houses on copyright issues, licensing agreements, and business management, while also offering strategic guidance on managing and protecting their creative assets.

Aurele’s early career in litigation informs her ability to handle pre-litigation matters including cease-and-desist actions and demands, giving her clients a strong advantage when addressing potential disputes. She is deeply involved in commercial and employment matters, helping businesses with consulting agreements, production services, and setting up effective employment infrastructure. While art remains a personal passion, Aurele’s practice extends across diverse industries, supporting clients from producers and directors to influencers and brands in navigating their intellectual property and business needs.

Aurele’s deep immersion in the art world, reflected in her prolific writing, speaking engagements, and charitable involvement, enhances her ability to provide practical, tailored solutions to her clients. Drawing on her extensive network within the industry and her understanding of the art market, she delivers hands-on, client-focused support that spans the Los Angeles and New York markets. This blend of legal acumen and industry passion allows Aurele to protect her clients’ creative and commercial interests effectively across multiple industries.

Education

  • Pepperdine University School of Law, J.D., Pepperdine Law Review
  • Columbia University, B.A. in Art History, cum laude

Admissions

  • California

Recognitions

  • Southern California Super Lawyers Rising Stars, 2014 – 2017
  • Southern California Top Women Attorneys Rising Stars, 2014 – 2017

Professional & Civic Involvement

  • Artadia: The Fund for Art & Dialogue, Co-Chair, Board of Directors
  • The Hammer Museum, K.A.M.P Committee Member; Executive Committee, Collective Member
  • The Arts Council, Century City Chamber of Commerce, Former Committee Member
  • Los Angeles Nomadic Division (LAND), Nomadic Council Member
  • Representing fine art collectors, artists, galleries, advisors, museums, institutions, foundations, and dealers in various transactions, including negotiating acquisitions, sales, consignments, auctions, loans, licenses, and entity formation.
  • Advising clients on management of fine art collection, including inventory insurance, appraisal, donations, provenance, authenticity, and lending.
  • Negotiating financing, production, and distribution of theatrical motion pictures, television, and new media programming.
  • Representing brands, properties, and celebrity clients in connection with their licensing, merchandising, and commercial spokesperson activities.
  • Advising executives, independent contractors, creatives, and employers on employment arrangements, non-disclosure agreements, non-competes, restrictive covenants, and other employment issues.
  • New York County Lawyers Association, 15th Art Law Institute: New Insights in Art Law, Panel 6: Artist Residencies: Navigating Founder and Participant Issues, October 27, 2023
  • Lecturer, “Warhol vs. Goldsmith,” Department of Art Seminar, May 15 2023, UC Riverside
  • Lecturer, “Artists’ Issues,” Art and the Law Seminar, March 31, 2020; February 2, 2021; March 18, 2022; Loyola Law School
  • Panelist, “Legal Issues with NFTs,” June 24, 2021, Eisner, LLP
  • Panelist, “Destruction of Artwork & The Visual Artists Rights Act,” September 24, 2018, Beverly Hills Bar Association
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