Outstanding in law and art: Jeremy Levison

Date: 01 Feb 2023

Karen Jones

Art has a big connection with the private client world and the law in many ways. It includes museums, galleries, donors, bequests, foundations, insurance and art collectors – of which, Levison, one of the founding partners of Levison Meltzer Pigott,  is one.

As well as being a renowned family lawyer, Levison has a grand passion for art in its full spectrum and is a supporter of artists unknown, emerging and emerged. On a trip around their City office, he highlighted some of his works which form part of a collection to be found on their website under the section Art@LMP. He also has a love for, and a collection of, classic cars.

Levison, has an all-consuming day job having represented Mandy Smith in her divorce with the Rolling Stone Bill Wyman in 1992, as quoted in the Guardian. He also acted for Ingrid Tarrant splitting from Chris Tarrant of TV fame. They hire Levison because he understands how to represent and work for the wealthy when their unions become unstuck. This work is not to be underestimated in the glare of tabloid publicity, international jurisdictions, large estates and assets to divide or with children involved when emotions are running high.

Levison has often spoken about the importance of art to his life. From his passion for collecting art which started in the 1970s, he founded the idea of an office art gallery whilst at Collyer Bristow and how, when he established his own firm with Simon Pigott, he has used his collection to make the offices of Levison Meltzer Pigott a very special place to work. 

A walk around his office includes a wide variety of art and artisan objects which includes artist Anna Keen, a  British artist using paint and inks. She was born in the Isle of wight but brought up on a remote Scottish Island. Her watercolours with mixed media look at places like The Thames and record the changing Cityscape.

The art collection also includes some more light hearted pieces with monopoly or Alimonopoly. The artist Kathryn Jackson makes art and will undertake commissions. The piece includes witty, game cards such as “last chance” and “commitment test”.

A magnificent painting, that caught my eye was “Case”, by Lynette Yiadom-Boakye who is best-known for her large-scale, figurative oil paintings and if you wish to see her work, then there are two ways to do so: hire Levison as a lawyer or see her at her own show at Tate Britain at the moment which he says is “well worth a visit.”

It is a varied, colourful, and substantial collection decorating the office walls of Levison Meltzer Pigott. Some often call the City grey but with Levison’s art acquisitions it is anything but.

Tate Britain: Lynette Yiadom Boakye