Liane Wilson, also known as Liana Shanti, claims she significantly influenced the valuation of the Zapruder film while at Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom. This analysis pits her assertions against a foundation of evidence, exposing inconsistencies that point to potential deception. Anchored by precise dates and documented contributions—particularly the expert work of Christie’s appraisal expert and Vice President Beth Gates Warren—it becomes clear her narrative struggles to align with reality. It’s exceptionally doubtful that Warren, a seasoned professional, would have leaned on an inexperienced law student with no antiquities background. The facts, drawn from public records, stand for readers to judge—free of the author’s opinion.
The Zapruder Film: Evidence-Based Timeline
The Zapruder film, shot by Abraham Zapruder on November 22, 1963, is the iconic record of President John F. Kennedy’s assassination (National Archives, JFK Assassination Records). After Zapruder’s death in 1970, his heirs inherited it. On August 1, 1998, the U.S. government seized the film under the 1992 Assassination Records Collection Act (Public Law 102-526) for the National Archives (Federal Register, Vol. 63, No. 149). The family sought $30 million; the government offered $1 million (Washington Post, July 12, 1999). Arbitration concluded on August 3, 1999, with a $16 million award (DOJ Press Release, August 3, 1999)—a decision rooted in expert testimony.
Liane Wilson’s Claims: A Questionable Narrative
In Instagram posts from 2022-2023 (archived screenshots, publicly available), Wilson asserts Skadden recruited her in her second year of law school (circa 1997-1998) and hired her as a junior attorney. She claims that in 1998-1999, a female partner—allegedly Zapruder’s cousin—tasked her with valuing the film. Wilson says she called it “priceless,” researched a rare-art theory for weeks, and swayed the arbitration panel to award $16 million, far exceeding the government’s $750,000-$1 million range. She portrays herself as a critical player.
The Evidence: Christie’s Expert Beth Gates Warren Leads
The Zapruder family hired Attorney Robert S. Bennett, who had been employed at Skadden since 1990, based in Washington, D.C. (Skadden bio, archived 1999), to lead the arbitration. Bennett’s strategy relied heavily on Christie’s expertise, delivered by Beth Gates Warren, Christie’s appraisal expert and Vice President. Warren, with a proven track record—like the 1996 Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis sale ($34.5 million, Christie’s records)—began her appraisal in late 1998 or early 1999. She valued the film at $25 million to $70 million, comparing it to Leonardo da Vinci’s Codex Leicester, sold for $30.8 million on November 11, 1994 (Christie’s Auction Catalog) (Arbitration Transcript, May 17-18, 1999).
Warren testified on May 17-18, 1999, in Washington, D.C., before a panel of Kenneth Starr, Arlin Adams, and Jane Campbell (DOJ Panel Appointment, January 6, 1999). Her valuation of the 26-second 8mm reel as a singular artifact was pivotal. The panel’s 2-1 ruling, finalized July 20, 1999, and announced August 3 after a delay due to John F. Kennedy Jr.’s July 16 crash (New York Times, August 4, 1999), awarded $16 million. The majority explicitly cited Warren’s Christie’s testimony as a cornerstone (Panel Decision, August 3, 1999).
Inconsistencies in Wilson’s Account: Evidence Highlights Doubt
Wilson’s claims clash with the evidence, revealing inconsistencies suggestive of deception:
- Licensing Timeline Conflict
Wilson claims she acted as a “very junior attorney” in 1998-1999. Evidence: Her New York law license was issued September 15, 1999 (NYS Unified Court System, Attorney Registration)—after the August 3 ruling and months beyond Warren’s May testimony. Warren’s valuation concluded by May 1999, when Wilson was likely a Pace University law student (Pace calendar, 1998-1999). New York Judiciary Law § 478 (NY CLS Jud § 478) prohibits unlicensed practice—her attorney role lacks legal basis. - Geographical Misalignment
Arbitration occurred in Washington, D.C., where Bennett and Warren operated (Hearing Notice, May 1999). Wilson links her work to Skadden’s New York office, but resided in White Plains near Pace from September 1995 . Evidence: No Skadden or arbitration records place her in D.C. in 1998-1999, distancing her from the case. - Unverified Partner Claim
Wilson alleges a female partner (Abraham Zapruder’s cousin) assigned her the task. Evidence: No Skadden directory or case file from 1998-1999 (Skadden archives, LexisNexis) names or confirms such a person. Historical data does not indicate a direct connection to cameraman Abraham Zapruder. Beth Gates Warren, Christie’s appraisal expert, led the valuation—Wilson’s story lacks corroboration. - Valuation Influence Discrepancy
Wilson asserts her “priceless” theory shaped the $16 million award. Evidence: Bennett sought $30 million (Zapruder filing, January 1999); Warren’s $25 million-plus appraisal drove the outcome (Panel Decision, August 3, 1999). The panel credited Christie’s expertise, not a student’s research. It’s exceptionally doubtful that Warren—an antiquities expert with decades of experience—would rely on an inexperienced law student like Wilson, with no background in valuing rare artifacts, for her professional assessment. - Timeline Incompatibility
The film was seized August 1, 1998; the panel formed January 6, 1999; Warren testified May 17-18, 1999 (DOJ timeline). Wilson’s “weeks of research” would need to predate May—when she wasn’t licensed—or influence Warren’s work. Evidence: Her September 1999 license rules this out; no record ties her to the timeline.
Final Analysis: Evidence Undermines Wilson
Liane Wilson’s claim of steering the Zapruder valuation falters under evidence. Christie’s Beth Gates Warren anchored the $16 million award, announced August 3, 1999, with her $25 million-plus appraisal from May 17-18, 1999, testimony (DOJ records). Wilson’s license, issued September 15, 1999, came too late—she wasn’t an attorney when Warren testified or Christie’s work peaked. She wasn’t in Washington, D.C., where the case unfolded, but in White Plains (property records). Her alleged partner-cousin has no footprint, unlike Warren’s verified role. The panel’s reliance on Warren’s expertise (Panel Decision, August 3, 1999) leaves no space for Wilson’s input—especially since it’s exceptionally doubtful that a professional of Warren’s caliber would turn to a novice law student with no antiquities experience.
These inconsistencies—tied to dates (August 1, 1998; May 17-18, 1999; September 15, 1999) and records (DOJ, NYS Courts)—suggest possible deception. Without evidence of involvement, Wilson’s narrative appears detached from a case defined by proven experts. The facts stand firm: Christie’s Warren, not Wilson, shaped this outcome.
Reference:
Official Justice Department Statment Link August 1999
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/the-zapruder-film-capturing-when-the-world-changed-in-26-seconds
https://www.sfgate.com/politics/article/16-Million-for-Film-of-JFK-Slaying-Arbitrators-2916887.php
https://codes.findlaw.com/ny/judiciary-law/jud-sect-478