Pool of Arbitrators

William L. Charron

Partner, Pryor Cashman; CAfA co-Founder and Board member

William (Bill) is an attorney and CAfA arbitrator focused on art law, intellectual property and entertainment law, and commercial law. He spearheaded the initiative to found the CAfA, for which he was recognized by the New York Law Journal as a 2019 “Trailblazer”.

Based in New York City, Bill chairs the Art Law group at Pryor Cashman, a firm positioned at the center of art, culture, brand, and entertainment law. He is also an adjunct professor of Art Law at the University of Virginia School of Law, and serves as President of the U.S. chapter of Professional Advisors to the International Art Market (PAIAM).

In 2019, Bill was recognized as a “Band I” lawyer by Chambers & Partners in their inaugural Arts & Cultural Property “High Net Worth” Guide for the U.S. He has also been listed as a New York Metro “Super Lawyer” for his skill in intellectual property law every year since 2013.

Bill practices extensively in the areas of art restitution, fake and forged art claims, copyright law, Visual Artist Rights Act and Lanham Act claims, and contract claims. He represents stakeholders throughout the art market, including collectors, dealers, auction houses, museums, foundations, and advisors. Bill is also experienced working with relevant market experts, including connoisseurs, provenance researchers, forensic scientists, and appraisers. His practice regularly involves the arbitration or mediation of disputes. Bill is a frequent speaker and writer on issues related to art law. He also appears in the documentary film, Real Fake: The Art, Life and Crimes of Elmyr de Hory.

Bill’s educational background includes: University of Virginia School of Law (J.D., 1998; Dillard Fellow); Colby College (B.A., 1993; magna cum laude, Phi Beta Kappa).

Jurisdiction: U.S.A.