Andra Matei
Advocate Emeritus
ART AND FREE SPEECH LAWYER
ABOUT
The law can be intimidating, difficult to grasp for those who do not practice it. I wanted to democratize it, to make it accessible to those who are afraid of it and who see it as an instrument of coercion rather than as an instrument that protects and strengthens their rights.
Andra Matei for Espace A
Barreau du Québec 2021
Honoured with the distinction of “Advocate Emeritus” by the Québec Bar, Matei is admitted to the Paris Bar and the Bucharest Bar. With a wealth of experience in the realm of art law, she is on a mission to revolutionise legal services for artists, offering them unparalleled guidance and protection in an evolving legal landscape. Matei approaches the practice of law with nuance, and possesses a profound understanding of the interplay between legal intricacies and artistic expression. Matei’s practice encompasses a wide range of issues concerning art and the creative industries.
PRACTICE AREAS
Contracts: negotiation, drafting, and scrutiny
Intellectual property rights
Fair use analysis
Museum and gallery representation
Insurance and risk management
Dispute resolution
SOCIAL COMMITMENT
Every artist deserves robust legal support, regardless of their ability to afford it.
In 2018, Matei founded Avant-Garde Lawyers (AGL), an international legal organisation that works to ensure that artists across the world can imagine and create freely. Through her work with AGL, she works to expand the space for the right to freedom of artistic expression inside and outside the courts.
Matei at the European Court of Human Rights with Kerry Kennedy - President of RFK Human Rights, Guido Raimondi - President of the Court, Roderick Liddell - Court’s Registrar, and Patrick Tititun - Head of the Office of the President.
TEACHING
Matei is deeply dedicated to empowering the next generation of lawyers and cultural rights defenders through comprehensive training on issues pertaining to international law, human rights strategic litigation and freedom of expression. Matei regularly teaches at Paris Bar School, European Court of Human Rights, Global Campus of Human Rights, University of Applied Arts Vienna and New York University (Paris Campus) among others.
Matei with Tania Burguera (renowned Cuban artist and curator) and Marilyn Volkman (Artistic Program Manager at the University of Applied Arts in Vienna).
AWARDS
2021
Pro-Bono Prize of the Paris Bar
2022
Recipient of funds raised by Musicians for Human Rights
2011
Eiffel Excellence Award
