MEET OUR TEAM
TARA L. GONSOWSKI
Founder & Managing Attorney
Tara L. Gonsowski is the founding attorney of Gonsowski Law, P.C. and has dedicated her career to working in the arts. With over 15 years experience in both the for-profit and non-profit sectors of the art world, she advises clients on a broad range of arts-related legal matters and transactions. Her clients include museums, charitable organizations, collectors, dealers, galleries, designers, and artists. Tara acts as “outside general counsel” for museums and other cultural institutions, providing specialized and cost-efficient legal services to assist departmental clients with issues involving contracts, tax, intellectual property, risk management, and more. Tara also advises museum clients on commissions, sales, and acquisitions of non-fungible tokens (NFTs) and related legal considerations.
Education:
UCLA School of Law, J.D.
The City College of New York, summa cum laude, B.A.
Bar Admissions:
New York; New Jersey
Affiliations/Awards:
Chambers & Partners Band 3 Ranking in 2023 High Net Worth: Art and Cultural Property Law
New York City Bar Association, Art Law Committee, Affiliate Member
2023 New York Super Lawyers Rising Star
Speaking Engagements:
NFTs De-Puzzled, Museum Attorneys' Group, The Smithsonian Institution, Sep 2022
Picasso & Human Intellect: What Real Estate Lawyers Need to Know About Public/Private Art & Intellectual Property Rights, MRET, Jan 2023
Charitable Art Donations: Advice for Donors & Accepting Institutions, Artwork Archive Webinar, April 2023
NFTs: Are They Still Relevant for Museums, Legal Issues in Museum Administration Conference, May 2023
Totally Templates: Tools, Tactics, and Tips for Leveraging Museum Contract Forms, Legal Issues in Museum Administration Conference, May 2023
Mergers & Acquisitions in the Art and Entertainment Industry, ABA Forum on Entertainment & Sports Industries 45th Annual Conference, Oct 2023
ANDREA V. SEIKALY
Associate Attorney
Andrea V. Seikaly has extensive experience serving clients in the arts. She enjoys advocating on behalf of her clients and helping them bring their creative visions to life. Andrea graduated summa cum laude and Phi Beta Kappa from UCLA with a B.A. in Spanish with a minor in English. She then went on to receive her J.D. from the UCLA School of Law with a specialization in media, entertainment, and technology law and policy. Andrea previously practiced transactional entertainment law at a talent boutique firm in Beverly Hills where her work included negotiating deals and contracts for clients’ film, television, new and digital media, endorsement, publishing, and other engagements.
Education:
UCLA School of Law, J.D.
UCLA, B.A., summa cum laude
Bar Admissions:
California
LAURA C. VERSON
Associate Attorney
Laura C. Verson is an experienced transactional attorney, with knowledge of corporate, nonprofit, and estate planning law. She advises clients in the arts community on contracts, governance, fundraising, and other legal matters. After graduating from the University of California, Berkeley School of Law, she practiced corporate law at a large international firm before transferring to a boutique estate planning firm in San Francisco. In addition to her law firm experience, Laura has also worked internally at several nonprofit organizations, which has given her insight into the needs and operations of her clients. She counsels the firm's nonprofit clients on tax and governance issues, such as unrelated business income, corporate sponsorships, and board governance practices. Laura is passionate about providing high-quality, practical legal advice to her clients so they can focus on the work that they do in the community.
Education:
University of California, Berkeley School of Law, J.D.
Purdue University, B.A., with highest distinction, Phi Beta Kappa
Bar Admissions:
California
MEGAN E. AVALOS
Associate Attorney
Megan E. Avalos is an experienced corporate and finance attorney with a background in fine art business. She previously worked in the museum and auction house worlds while obtaining a dual degree in Art History and Legal Studies, and a master’s degree in Art Business. After law school, Megan went on to serve as Assistant General Counsel of a national finance company, where she regularly negotiated multi-million-dollar transactions and advised on a broad range of corporate governance matters. Her real-world experience allows her to provide practical and efficient legal support to in-house counsel, cultural institutions, and other clients in the arts.
Education:
The George Washington University Law School, J.D., with honors
Sotheby’s Institute of Art, M.A., with distinction
Scripps College, B.A
Bar Admissions:
California; District of Columbia; New York
Affiliations:
American Bar Association: Forum on the Entertainment & Sports Industries
New York State Bar Association: Entertainment, Arts & Sports Law Section
ROBIN C. HOBAN
Head of Operations
Robin Hoban joins the firm from the hectic world of live television and radio. With years of experience as the booker and producer of both a prime-time TV and talk radio program, there isn't much you can throw at her that she can't handle. Robin supports the firm’s operational activities, overseeing customer service and ensuring an organized and productive team to meet clients’ needs. Robin is also committed to giving back to her community and, in her spare time, she volunteers at her local food pantry and is the leader of her local Girl Scout troop.
Education:
Loyola University Maryland, B.A. Communications