Cultivating a Passion for Art: A Conversation with Leah Hokenson

When Leah Hokenson, J.D., Managing Director, Principal, joined Robertson Stephens in July of 2025, she brought with her more than a decade of experience working with artists, collectors and art-oriented foundations to develop comprehensive financial plans.  

Leah has an extensive background working with art organizations: She is a member of the Professional Advisors to the International Art Market, is a member and current Secretary of the NYC Bar Art Law Committee, has lectured for Sotheby’s Institute of Art Master’s in Art Business program, the Center for Art Law, is a volunteer program curator for CUE Teen Collective, and has been a panelist at many art and wealth-focused events. 

We recently sat down with Leah to learn more about her deep interest in art, how the art market has evolved in recent years, and how Robertson Stephens supports her in serving artists and collectors and bringing this unique capability to other clients and advisors.  

Leah, you clearly have a deep and extensive background in art. What inspired that interest? 

I am one of five children, and my mother made the time to take us kids to museums and art shows throughout our youth. That left a huge and lasting impression on me regarding the power of art. I am also Waldorf educated, so creativity has really been built into my upbringing. Art continues to have an outsized influence on my life. It’s just so rewarding to be able to work with artists and invest in an asset class that has such immense power to inspire and bring joy.  

How has art as an investment evolved in recent years? 

There has been a greater demand for transparency from the younger collector generation. And there is a much greater desire among existing and prospective art investors to access the information they need through digital channels. So, the art market has responded by developing more tech-focused tools for artist archives, sales, museum provenance, etc. That has lowered the barrier for entry for many interested investors and essentially has made investing in art more accessible. Today, it’s much easier to engage and self-educate regarding the art markets, but it still requires the guidance of an experienced advisor to do it well.  

How has Roberston Stephens enabled you to better provide your clients with a holistic wealth management experience? 

Roberston Stephens is known for taking a truly holistic approach to wealth planning and integrating that planning into client investment portfolios and strategic asset allocation. I also appreciate the depth of leadership and expertise here at Robertson Stephens. Everyone has made a very conscious choice to create value together, and that commitment is exhibited each and every day on behalf of our clients. We truly are one team, and that is so refreshing.  

Do you find yourself lending your expertise to other advisors in the firm, and vice versa? 

Absolutely. That is what makes Robertson Stephens so special. I cannot know all things for all people. No one can. So learning about my fellow advisors’ expertise and leveraging that knowledge on behalf of my clients has been a huge benefit. I also love being of use, to fully utilize my unique experiences. I’ve been pleased to be helpful in providing both legal perspectives as well as insights into the art markets to my colleagues.  

What excites you about the future, both at Robertson Stephens and in art? 

At Robertson Stephens, it’s all about possibility and potential. There are so many resources, so many talented advisors willing to share and collaborate on behalf of our clients, which creates this amazing energy. It’s exactly the environment I had been looking for and how I want to approach my practice, where we are all here to support each other in achieving a common goal. In the art market, the intersection of activism, art, and legacy is one that I have always treasured. At Roberston Stephens, I see the opportunities to build upon that legacy and share my expertise in a truly collaborative environment as limitless.