If you're an artist, now's the time to hire an art lawyer. If your career is in the early stages, you might not think you need an art lawyer, but that's not the case. In fact, you should have your own art lawyer through all stages of your art career. You never know when an issue is going to arise. When it does, you need to know that you have legal representation. Not only that, but an art lawyer can help you avoid problems altogether. If you're not sure you need an art lawyer at this stage in your career, read the list provided below. You'll find four reasons to hire an art lawyer today. 

Review Insurance Policies

When you're an artist, you need to insure your artwork. You might have insurance for your studio. That does provide protection for your artwork while it's there. But, that's not the only insurance policy you need to worry about. You'll also deal with insurance policies when you display your art at other galleries or when your artwork gets transported. That's where an art lawyer comes into the picture. Your art lawyer will go over your insurance policies to make sure that your artwork has the protection it needs. 

Protect Ownership Rights

When you're an artist, you need to worry about ownership rights. You never know when someone is going to copy your work and pass it off as their creation. This type of theft robs you of income. But, it can also undermine your standing in the art community. That's why you need to hire an art lawyer. An art lawyer will make sure that your artwork has trademark and copyright protection. That way, you have legal recourse should someone steal your work or use it without your permission. 

Preserve Online Status

If you have an online gallery for your artwork, it's time to hire an art lawyer. Disgruntled clients can destroy your reputation as an artist. This is especially true if they post libelous or slanderous comments about you. To preserve your online status, you need to hire an art lawyer. Your art lawyer can take action against people who use the internet to attack your reputation. 

Prevent Litigation

If you want to protect yourself against litigation, now's the time to hire an art lawyer. You never know when you're going to get into a legal dispute with a gallery or with a client. When it happens, you need to know that you have legal representation. If you hire an art lawyer now, you'll be prepared should a legal dispute arise.