Luke Nikas

Luke Nikas is a partner at Quinn Emanuel’s New York office and one of the most highly regarded litigators in the country. With a reputation for handling major legal challenges, he represents global clients in high-stakes trials and appeals across a broad range of industries. Recognized as a “litigation star,” he has been featured by Lawdragon, Chambers USA, The Legal 500, and Benchmark Litigation for his strategic thinking, powerful courtroom presence, and ability to manage complex, high-profile disputes.

Luke holds a B.A. in Philosophy, summa cum laude, from the State University of New York at Albany and earned his J.D., magna cum laude, from Harvard Law School.

Luke’s legal practice spans business litigation, art disputes, antitrust matters, securities, real estate, and entertainment law. He has successfully represented Fortune 500 companies, leading law firms, celebrities, and art institutions. His courtroom victories include dismissals of multi-million and billion-dollar claims and major trial wins, such as defending Alec Baldwin in the Rust criminal case and securing key wins in art forgery and ownership disputes.

As Co-Chair of the firm’s Art Litigation and Disputes Practice, Luke leads one of the world’s most prominent art law practices. His representation of artists, collectors, and institutions in fraud, provenance, copyright, and NFT matters has earned him honors like “Art Lawyer of the Year” and recognition from The New York Times, Reuters, and ArtNews.

Luke Nikas is also a Lecturer on Law at Harvard Law School, where he teaches Art Law Litigation. He co-founded the Court of Arbitration for Art and regularly speaks at major legal and academic forums. Clients value him for his deep knowledge, strategic insight, and ability to navigate legal, regulatory, and public scrutiny in today’s complex environment.

Law Office Affiliations

• Partner, Quinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan, LLP
• Member, New York City Bar Association
• Member, State Bar of New York

Licensed State

• New York

Education

• Harvard Law School
  Juris Doctor (JD)
• State University of New York at Albany
  BA in Philosophy with Magna Cum Laude

Awards & Badges