The Lawyers’ Committee for Cultural Heritage Preservation is an organization of lawyers who have joined together to promote the preservation and protection of cultural heritage resources in the United States and internationally through education and advocacy. Cultural heritage law is one of the fastest growing legal fields and has gained new recognition as society comes to appreciate the important symbolic, historical and emotional role that cultural heritage plays in all our lives. Cultural heritage law encompasses several disparate areas, including protection of archaeological sites, preservation of historic structures and the built environment, preservation of and respect for both tangible and intangible indigenous cultures, the international market in art works and antiquities, and recovery of stolen art works.

Members of the Lawyers’ Committee represent many practice areas, including government, academia, and private practice. We will work to inform the public about cultural heritage issues, engage in public policy endeavors, raise the profile of cultural heritage law in our nation’s law schools, and serve as a clearinghouse for employment and internship opportunities for law students. Read more about our law student writing competition here.

We hope that you will join us in exploring this field and in our efforts to use the law as a tool to preserve our cultural heritage for future generations. This web site offers resources that you may find useful and we hope that you will contact us at info@culturalheritagelaw.org.

Warmest regards,

Patty Gerstenblith

President