Maryland Volunteer Lawyers for the Arts

Founded in 1985, Maryland Volunteer Lawyers for the Arts (MdVLA) is a non-profit arts service organization dedicated to protecting Maryland artists’ and arts organizations’ legal rights through pro bono legal services and education. MdVLA lawyers — through seminars, educational workshops, legal referrals, and individual representation — educate artists and arts organizations regarding the laws that affect them and empower them to take the necessary steps to protect and profit from their work. Our services foster community and economic development firmly grounded in the promotion and support of the arts. With MdVLA's services, more artists can develop and grow their artistic livelihoods. The more artists with whom we work, the more art that artists are able to make.

MdVLA serves Maryland artists and organizations in four ways. Each program is aimed at MdVLA's core mission of protecting the legal rights of Maryland artists and arts organizations through pro bono legal services and education. 1. One-on-one pro bono legal referrals and in-house representation. MdVLA staff attorneys and volunteer attorneys help creatives with a range of legal issues, from forming LLCs, to collecting unpaid invoices, to negotiating commercial leases, to licensing copyrights. 2. Art Law Clinics. During a clinic, creatives can receive a 30-minute legal consultation with MdVLA staff attorneys or volunteer attorneys to review a short-form legal issue. 3. Legal Workshops on issues important to artists, including contracts, copyright, and the business of art. 4. Advocacy, Community Liaison and Impact Litigation. MdVLA acts as a go-between for creatives and the bureaucratic processes that affect their ability to make a living.