A message from our founder, Yelena Ambartsumian

Welcome. I’m Yelena Ambartsumian, the founder of AMBART. I’m a New York-licensed attorney and serial entrepreneur, who loves learning, dreaming, and problem solving. In fact, I feel just as fulfilled working “behind the scenes” and helping others succeed as I do being in front of my own businesses.

I’ve met a lot of overwhelmed founders who think the “legal stuff doesn’t matter.” Or that they can figure it out themselves. And, while that can be true, it also means you’re likely thinking about it the wrong way. Beyond helping you meet your compliance obligations, your lawyer can provide solutions that maximize the efficiency of the rest of the company (or even, your efficiency as the founder, so that you can focus on growing your business).

AMBART is a law firm based in New York City. Our core services are business litigation, contract drafting, and outside general counsel for companies that need assistance but aren’t ready to make an internal legal hire. 

We typically work at straight hourly rates or, if you need more day-to-day support, you can retain us as fractional general counsel by purchasing a block of discounted hours.

Our fractional general counsel program is also ideal for companies that already have in-house lawyers, but need our AI, Data Privacy, or Intellectual Property experience to fill a knowledge gap in their legal teams.

You can read more about my bio and credentials here. And you can get in touch with me by scheduling an initial consultation or sending us a note at info@ambartlaw.com.

-Yelena Ambartsumian, Esq.

OUR FIRM PROVIDES THE FOLLOWING LEGAL SERVICES:

  • Art law is a multi-disciplinary practice that involves the creation, use, and sale of art. Sources of art law include: contract law, intellectual property law including copyright, constitutional law, and art-specific federal and state laws (such as the Visual Artists Rights Act and the New York's Arts and Cultural Affairs Law).

    Art law can involve drafting commission agreements, consignment agreements, and other agreements related to the purchase, sale, or loan of an artwork. Clients can encounter questions about title, authenticity, and valuation, while artists can be concerned about protecting their rights, including their copyright and moral rights.

    In addition to her experience as an attorney counseling artists, collectors, curators, and art galleries, our firm's founder collects contemporary art and founded and ran the art-tech startup Origen (2019-22), a collection management and trading insights platform for emerging contemporary art, with over $6 million of inventory upon its launch. These experiences have given her a deep and robust understanding of the contemporary art market.

    We are also passionate about safeguarding cultural heritage for present and future generations. Yelena frequently researches, speaks, and writes on Armenian cultural heritage issues, and is co-founder of QAMI JAN, a lifestyle brand that highlights SWANA art and cultural heritage practices. She is passionate about supporting artists, particularly emerging artists and curators, and understands the difficulties involved in managing a company in today's art market.

  • Artificial Intelligence (“AI”) refers to a category of scientific and statistical techniques that enable computers to mimic human behavior, including performing tasks that normally require human intelligence. AI governance is the set of polices, laws, and regulations that guide how AI systems are designed and deployed.

    With the increasing use of AI tools in the workplace and our everyday lives, coupled with the explosion of AI companies, comes a host of novel legal issues and considerations.

    AMBART is ready to counsel your organization on the use of AI in your workplace (including by drafting an AI policy) and the firm and client confidentiality, consumer privacy, copyright, and litigation mitigation implications.

    It is important for artists and creators to also understand how to use AI tools and/or how their art can be used in data sets to train AI tools. Generative AI is a type of AI model (a deep learning model) that can generate high quality text, images, and other content, based on a prompt.

    Learn more about what type of services we offer related to AI counseling, by clicking here.

  • Our litigation experience informs our approach to contract drafting. We seek to anticipate disputes and misunderstandings from the outset, based on our knowledge of how certain provisions have been interpreted by courts or what have caused issues in other matters. In addition to litigation involving copyright infringement, breach of contract, and unfair competition, we are also here to assist with mediation and dispute resolution.

    With respect to contract drafting, we will help you with a variety of agreements, including consulting agreements, NDAs, vendor agreements, licensing agreements, IP-assignment agreements, software and data sales agreements.

  • Privacy law in the United States is a patchwork of various federal and state laws, and they can be difficult to navigate. At the same time, complying with privacy laws is not only a legal question but one of maintaining the trust that your customers place in your business and associate with your brand.

    Our information privacy services involve comprehensive solutions to ensure compliance with evolving privacy regulations.

    We assist clients in navigating complex privacy frameworks, drafting robust policies, assisting with cross-boarder data transfers (UK Data Privacy Act and GDPR) and offering strategic counsel to protect sensitive information.

    We are also adherents of "Privacy By Design," which is the notion that privacy is not a hindrance or part of a zero-sum game but rather should be thoughtfully built into your business. We want to learn more about you and your business, so that we can help you achieve your privacy goals, in a way that is practical for your company's complexity, size, and needs.

  • AMBART provides services in intellectual property law, including trademarks, copyrights, trade secrets, unfair competition, and protections under the Visual Artists’ Rights Act (VARA).

    We are able to assist you with Trademark and Copyright Registration (as well as prosecutions before the TTAB). Click here to learn more about our trademark offerings, many services of which we perform at flat fees.

    In addition, we provide Trademark and Copyright Counseling, which includes licensing, enforcement, and advising you on your rights.

  • Our fractional general counsel program is ideal for companies that already have in-house lawyers, but need our AI Governance, Data Privacy, Contract Drafting, Litigation, or Intellectual Property knowledge to fill an experience gap in their legal teamseither during a busy period in your business, when someone is away on leave, or in the run-up to a new product or service launch.

    Because we integrate ourselves with your existing legal and ops teams, we are able to provide more in-depth and comprehensive services, responding to your day-to-day needs and helping you navigate whatever challenges your business may face. We are right there, with you, in the arena.

    Due to the intensity of this commitment, we only work with a maximum of 4 companies at a time, with a mutual guarantee of 5-10 hours a week of outside general counsel services. This program is only open to clients with at least one in-house legal hire. There are 2 spots remaining for Q4 of 2024.

    Outside general counsel services are offered at the discounted rate of $300-350 an hour. You can purchase a block of 20 hours per month at an hourly rate of $350, with 2 unused hours rolling over into the next month, or 40 hours per month, at an hourly rate of $300, with 4 unused hours rolling over into the next month.