Jean-François Canat

Partner

Offices : Paris office

languages : French / English

Introduction

Who am I?

I have been a lawyer for the best part of my life and following various experiences in other law firms, I contributed to the founding of UGGC Avocats in 1993.

I am mostly involved in litigation, in matters of commercial law and art market law, that practice now being the predominant one.

UGGC and I

As partner founder of UGGC Avocats – which is my greatest professional pride – I have seen the firm grow and develop for over 23 years.  One of our main successes is to have managed to federate around common project specialists from almost all areas of law, something I particularly experience in my practice which involves a great many departments of our firm (litigation, public law…).

My practice

It is my practice in art market law, which remains a rare occurrence in a law firm such as UGGC Avocats, which makes me special: it can be described as multidisciplinary and varied.

On the one hand, it means that one can deal with a great many legal matters, both providing advice and assisting with litigation, which can easily be done considering the structure of UGGC Avocats.

On the other hand, it deals with matters which are often exceptional and regularly at the heart of today’s news.  Thanks to it, I can also represent many different types of clients: public institutions (ministries, public establishments…), private institutions (private museums), art collectors, artists…

Career

  • Partner and cofounder of UGGC Law Firm (1993)
  • Partner, Berlioz & Co (1987-1993)
  • Admitted to the Paris Bar (1972)
  • Certificates of Specialisation: Economic Law and International Relations Law
  • Postgraduate Degree (DES) in Business Law
  • Past President, Committee 20 (Art and Cultural Property)
  • International Bar Association (IBA) Administrator, Association Art et Droit (Art and Law Association)
  • Advisor, French Foreign Trade Council
  • Expert, Institut Français d’Experts Juridiques Internationaux (French Institute of International Legal Experts)
  • Member of the ICOM Legal Committee (International Council of Museums)
  • Rankings

    (Jean-François Canat quoted in 5 rankings)
    Best Lawyers 2025 - UGGC Avocats ranked in art law
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    Best Lawyers 2025 - UGGC Avocats ranked in litigation
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    Legal 500 2024 - UGGC Avocats ranked in Media and Entertainment : Advertising
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    Legal 500 2024 - UGGC Avocats ranked in Media and Entertainment : Art
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    Leaders League 2021 - UGGC Avocats, ranked in Media, Marketing, Communication & Digital!
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    Best Lawyers 2022 - UGGC Avocats, awarded "Law Firm of the Year" in Public Law and 11 partners recognized "Best Lawyers"!
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    Global Law Experts Annual Awards 2021 - Jean-François Canat elected in two categories!
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    Legal 500 2020, UGGC ranked in 2 categories in Intellectual Property
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    IFLR1000 - M&A - 2020
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    Best Lawyers 2020 - UGGC teams awarded Best Lawyers in 16 practices
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    News

    (Jean-François Canat appears in 5 news)
    Publishing
    Lexology Panoramic: Art Law in France with Jean-François Canat, Line-Alexa Glotin, Philippe Hansen and Laure Assumpçao
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    Publishing
    The Art Collecting Legal Handbook wih Jean-François Canat, Philippe Hansen and Laure Assumpçao
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    Publishing
    UGGC’s Art Market team is honoured to have contributed to the 2021 edition of “The Art Law Review”
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