Dear (Contact First Name),
VLA would like to welcome two new VLA staff members. Jana Bondar, Esq., joined
VLA as a Legal Fellow, and holds degrees from Northwestern University School of
Law and Free University of Berlin, among others. Kathleen Mallaney is VLA's new
administrative assistant. Kathleen is an artist who holds degrees in art from
the School of the Art Institute of Chicago as well as the School of Visual Arts
(SVA).
April was a busy month for us. VLA directors and staff taught classes and made
presentations at the School of the Museum
of Fine Arts in Boston,
Pratt Institute, Queensborough Community College, City College,
NYU, NYU-Polytechnic, and The Juilliard School.
VLA also co-sponsored a fashion law panel, Discovering the American Balance: IP in Fashion from France to China, at Fordham Law
School, on April
22.
On April 14, VLA's Associate Director, Sergio Muņoz Sarmiento, moderated a
panel on art and intellectual property at Cleary Gottlieb Steen &
Hamilton. The panel, Art in the Age of Digital Reproduction, featured
Fordham Law professor Sonia Katyal, art historian and attorney Virginia
Rutledge, NYU Professor Andrew Ross, and intellectual property attorney Alfred
Steiner. The panel, co-sponsored by VLA, was part of the Access
Restricted: Law and Representation series, and was free and open to the public.
A slideshow of the panel may be viewed here.
On April 9th, Sarmiento also participated on a panel, The Ever-Changing Legal
Canvas, on visual art and law held at the Cornell Club and sponsored by Hofstra Law School and Cardozo
Law School.
We would like to highlight a couple of events in May. First, don't miss
our Ethics in Documentary & Reality-Based Programming panel featuring Peter
Rienecker of HBO, Inc., Jon Alpert of DCTV, Maro Chermayeff of SVA's Social
Documentary program, and VLA's very own Elena M. Paul. Our other featured
event, Legal Issues in Film, is a class which will provide an overview
of the legal issues and common business arrangements used in film and
television projects. In addition, option agreements for the acquisition of
literary properties; distribution agreements and a comprehensive release for
reality based television program will be discussed. We will also take a look at
legal issues surrounding recent films such as Borat.
Last but not least, don't forget our two best-selling classes, How to Start a Nonprofit Tax-Exempt Organization, and Forming Your For-Profit Arts Business. Both provide a
solid introduction to the legal and business issues arising from nonprofit and
for-profit start-ups.
Elena M. Paul, Esq.
Executive Director
Sergio Muņoz Sarmiento, Esq.
Associate Director
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2010 Summer Benefit!
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Presenting
THE S. JEANNE HALL PRO BONO AWARDS 2010
Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP
Jones Day
Sidley Austin LLP
Enjoy hors d' oeuvres and cocktails at Sikkema Jenkins & Co., one of New York's premiere contemporary art galleries.
This year's Summer Benefit will be held on:
Wednesday, June 23rd, 2010, 6:00 to 8:00 pm
Where:
Sikkema Jenkins & Co.
530 West 22nd Street
(Btwn 10th & 11th Avenues)
New York, NY 10011
To order tickets, please view our ticket form here.
If you have any questions, please contact Elena M. Paul, Esq.
at 212.319.2787 ext 17. |
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Volunteer Attorney Orientation |
To volunteer at our clinics or take a case from our case list, VLA requires that attorneys attend a short orientation. At the orientation, important information about VLA's programs, requirements for volunteers and our administrative procedures will be covered.
All Attorneys must register for and attend a New Attorney Orientation before participating in VLA Clinics or taking on a VLA matter.
Orientations will be held on the following dates and times:
Monday, May 3, 2010, 6-7pm
Monday, June 7, 2010 6-7pm
Monday, July 6, 2010 6-7pm
Monday, August 2, 2010 6-7pm
Monday, September 13, 2010 6-7pm
Monday, October 4, 2010 6-7pm
Monday, November 1, 2010 6-7pm
Monday, December 6, 2010 6-7pm
Where:
VLA Auditorium, 1 East 53rd Street, NY, NY 10022
To register for a New Attorney Orientation please fill out and return this New Attorney Orientation Form. You will only be contacted if that orientation is already full. Attorney orientations are
conducted by Ben Brandow,
Assistant Director of Legal Services. For additional information
please contact Ben at 212·319·ARTS (2787), ext. 14 or at
bbrandow@vlany.org.
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Class: Nonprofit Incorporation and Tax-Exemption Workshop
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This workshop provides valuable information about starting a nonprofit organization. New York State issues to be covered include articles of incorporation, bylaws, and the first organization meeting. Federal issues include the Internal Revenue Code Section 501(c)(3) and corresponding regulations, application for employer identification number, IRS disclosure rules, unrelated business taxable income, charitable contributions, and restrictions on lobbying. VLA requires all applicants seeking Nonprofit Incorporation and Tax Exempt Status services through VLA to attend one of these workshops before a volunteer attorney can be assigned to them.
Classes will be held on the following dates and times:
Monday, May 10, 2010, 1-4pm*
Tuesday, June 7, 2010, 1-4pm
Tuesday, July 13, 2010, 1-4pm*
Tuesday, August 10, 2010, 1-4 pm
Tuesday, September 14, 2010, 1-4pm*
Tuesday, October 5, 2010, 1-4 pm
Tuesday, November 9, 2010 1-4pm*
Tuesday, December 7, 2010 1-4pm
*3.0 Transitional CLE credits (Available to all Attorneys), 2 Professional Practice and 1 Skills.
Where:
VLA Auditorium, 1 East 53rd Street, NY, NY 10022
Registration Fees: (there is a late registration fee of $10 if you register the day of the class)
Arts Professional VLA Member: $75
Arts Professional Non-VLA Member: $100
VLA Legal Professional Member: $150
Legal Professional Non-Member: $200
(Additional individuals from the same start-up organization may register for an additional $25 ea.)
To register, please complete and return this registration form. All registration fees are non-refundable. For more information, please call Joni Todd at 212.319.2787 x10 or email her at jtodd@vlany.org.
This program is funded in part by The Edmond de Rothschild Foundation Nonprofit Assistance Program.
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Class: Forming Your For-Profit Arts Business | |
This workshop provides valuable information about starting an arts-related business. Covered issues also include: For vs. Non-Profit incorporation, fiscal sponsorship, selecting and protecting business names; the legal and tax characteristics of LLCs and publication requirements, partnerships, and type C and S corporations; choice of jurisdiction; financing your business; employees and independent contracts; and insurance.
Classes will be held on the following dates and times:
Thursday, May 13, 2010, 4-6pm
Thursday, June 10, 2010, 4-6pm
Thursday, July 15, 2010, 4-6pm
Thursday, August 12, 2010, 4-6pm
Thursday, September 16, 2010, 4-6pm
Thursday, October 7, 2010, 4-6pm
Thursday, November 10, 2010, 4-6pm
Thursday, December 9, 2010, 4-6pm
Where:
VLA Auditorium, 1 East 53rd Street, NY, NY 10022
Registration Fees: (there is a late registration fee of $10 if you register the day of the class)
Arts Professional VLA Member: $75
Arts Professional Non-VLA member: $100
VLA Legal Professional Member: $150
Legal Professional Non-Member: $175
This class will be taught by Elena M. Paul, Esq., VLA's Executive Director.
To register, please complete and return this registration form. All registration fees are non-refundable. For more information, please call Joni Todd at 212.319.2787 x10, or e-mail her at jtodd@vlany.org.
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Class: Starting Your Fashion Business
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This workshop provides valuable information about starting a
business in fashion, apparel, and design, including jewelry. This class
will cover important issues that every fashion and design entrepreneur
needs to know including: selecting and forming a business entity; using
a business plan; financing; common issues in product development,
production, marketing, and sales; regulatory issues and business
licenses; branding, licensing, and intellectual property (copyrights,
trademarks, and design patents); and contracts.
Classes will be held on the following dates and times:
Tuesday, May 18, 2010, 4:00-6:30 pm
Tuesday, September 14, 2010, 4:00-6:30 pm
Where:
VLA Auditorium, 1 East 53rd Street, NY, NY 10022
Registration Fees: (there is a late registration fee of $10 if you register the day of the class)
Full Time Student (Valid I.D.): $25
Arts Professional VLA Member: $75
Arts Professional Non-VLA member: $100
VLA Legal Professional Member: $125
Legal Professional Non-Member: $175
This class will be taught by Elena M. Paul, Esq., VLA's Executive Director.
To register, please complete this registration form. All registration fees are non-refundable. For more information, please call Joni Todd at 212.319.2787 x10, or e-mail her at jtodd@vlany.org.
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Class: Legal Issues in Film |
This
class will provide an overview of the legal issues and common business
arrangements used in film and television projects. In addition, option
agreements for the acquisition of literary properties; distribution
agreements and a comprehensive release for reality based television
program will be discussed. We will also take a look at legal issues
surrounding recent films such as Borat. Reading materials for the class will be emailed one week prior to the class.
Classes will be held on the following dates and times:
Thursday, May 20, 2010 4-6:30 pm*
Thursday, September 23, 2010 4-6:30pm
Thursday, January 29, 2011 4-6:30pm
Thursday, May 19, 2011 4-6:30pm
*2.5 CLE Credits Available, 1 Professional Practice , 1 Skills and .5 Ethics (transitional)
Where:
VLA Auditorium, 1 East 53rd Street, NY, NY 10022
Registration Fees: (there is a late registration fee of $10 if you register the day of the class)
Full Time Student $20 (must bring valid student ID to class)
Arts Professional VLA Member: $25
Arts Professional Non-VLA member: $35
VLA Legal Professional Member: $130
Legal Professional Non-Member: $150
This class will be taught by Sergio Muņoz Sarmiento, Esq., VLA's Associate Director.
To register, please complete this registration form.
All registration fees are non-refundable. For more information, please call Joni Todd at 212.319.2787 x10, or e-mail her at jtodd@vlany.org.
(A limited number of 50% partial hardship scholarships for arts professionals are available. Please email Kathleen Mallaney.)
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Panel: Ethics in Documentary & Reality-Based Programming
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Join us for a conversation with lawyers and filmmakers about ethics
in documentary and reality based programming. While formal standards of
ethics exist for professional journalists, such standards do not exist
in documentary and reality based programming. As a result, documentary
filmmakers and producers of reality-based programs appear to decide
ethical conflicts in a more ad-hoc manner. This conversation will cover
what ethical norms exist and the issues that face every documentary
filmmaker and other creators in balancing their relationships with
their subjects and their viewers with practical concerns such as cost
and ease of production. Our conversation will touch on the September
2009 study published by the Center for Social Media at the American
University entitled "Honest Truths: Documentary Filmmakers on Ethical
Challenges in Their Work as well as the Code of Ethics subscribed to by
the members of Society of Professional Journalists; class attendees are
asked to review that information in advance to get the most out of the
panel.
Panel Includes:
Jon Alpert
Co-Founder, Co-Director, Video Producer, Reporter, DCTV
Maro Chermayeff
Founder and Chairman of the MFA Program in Social Documentary at The School of Visual Arts
Elena M. Paul, Esq.
Executive Director, Volunteer Lawyers for the Arts
Peter Rienecker, Esq.
Vice President and Senior Counsel, Original Programming, HBO, Inc.
When:
Tuesday, May 25th, 2010 5:30-7:30 pm*
*2.5 Transitional CLE Credits in Ethics (Available to All Attorneys)
Where:
DCTV, 87 Lafayette Street (Between Walker and White Streets)
Registration Fees: (there is a late registration fee of $10 if you register the day of the class)
Full Time Student $20 (must present valid student ID to class)
Arts Professional VLA Member: $25
Arts Professional Non-VLA member: $35
VLA Legal Professional Member: $130
Legal Professional Non-Member: $150
To register, please complete this registration form. All registration fees are non-refundable. For more information, please call Joni Todd at 212.319.2787 x10, or e-mail her at jtodd@vlany.org.
(A limited number of 50% partial hardship scholarships for arts professionals are available. Please email Kathleen Mallaney.)
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Class: Volunteer Lawyers for the Arts & Friends of the FCI Presents: Starting Your Culinary Business | |
This workshop provides valuable information about starting a culinary business, including restaurants, bakeries, bars, and catering companies. This class will cover important issues that every start up business person needs to know including: the selection of a business entity, incorporation; financing, branding, licensing (including liquor licenses, cabaret permits, out door seating permits), taxes and regulatory compliance. Proceeds will benefit the Friends of the French Culinary Institute (FCI).
The Friends of the FCI is a nonprofit, 501(c)(3) tax-exempt charitable corporation that raises money for scholarships and financial aid to FCI career students based on financial need and ability to complete the program they desire. The organization was founded based on the belief that money should not stand between talented, motivated, deserving students and a first-rate culinary education.
Classes will be held on the following dates and times:
Tuesday, June 8, 2010, 4:30-7pm
Tuesday, September 7, 2010, 4:30-7pm
Tuesday, December 7, 2010, 4:30-7pm Where:
VLA, 1 East 53rd Street, NY, NY 10022 (Auditorium) Registration Fees: (there is a late registration fee of $10 if you register the day of the class)
Current FCI Student: $25
FCI Alumni: $50
Other Culinary Professionals: $100
Other: $100 This class with be taught by Elena M. Paul, Esq., VLA's Executive Director and Alexis Soterakis, Esq., Senior Associate at the law firm Coran Ober P.C.
To register, please complete this registration form. All registration fees are non-refundable. For more information, please call Joni Todd at 212.319.2787 x10, or e-mail her at jtodd@vlany.org.
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VLA Member Services |
Law Firm and Corporate Members:
VLA has just developed two new opportunities for attorneys and other legal professionals, and are now available ā la carte or as part of the benefits of a Corporate/Law Firm Membership at the Patron Level.
Artist, Arts Organization, and Legal Professional Members:
VLA has also just developed an additional training opportunity for attorneys and arts professionals looking to make a career transition (from legal practice to nonprofit careers).
For more information on these new programs and on becoming a law firm or corporate member, please click here. |
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VLA has seen an increase in demand for pro bono legal services, in-house consultations, legal clinics, and educational programming, and we expect 2010 to be even more demanding. Would you like to support more VLA legal services and educational programming?
In 2010, your support will make possible:
- More legal services to low-income artists
- More legal services to arts nonprofit organizations
- More educational programming
- More scholarship programs
- More outreach programming
- Maintaining lower fees for legal services and educational programming
- More discounts on legal books for artists
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Jim Hodges, What Becomes the Sky Roberto, 2009 |
What Becomes the Sky Roberto, 2009  | VLA is very pleased to announce the sale of a limited edition print by noted American artist Jim Hodges. Born in 1957 in Washington State, Hodges creates pieces using a variety of materials with the meticulous precision of collage work, sewing, assembling and cut-out. The end results are works that are both minimal and rich. A retrospective of his work was held at the Centre Pompidou in Paris late last year. His work is also included the collections of such institutions as The Art Institute of Chicago, The Museum of Modern Art, New York and The Museum of Contemporary Art, Los Angeles.
Mr. Hodges has generously donated these unframed limited edition prints to VLA.
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About Us
Since 1969, Volunteer Lawyers for the Arts has been the leading provider of pro bono legal services and mediation, as well as educational programs, publications, and advocacy to the arts community in the New York area and beyond. As the first arts-related legal aid organization, VLA is the model for similar organizations around the world.
VLA is supported in part with public funds from the National Endowment for the Arts, the New York State Council on the Arts, a State Agency, the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs, and through generous gifts from law firms, corporations, foundations and individuals.
Volunteer Lawyers for the Arts
1 East 53rd Street, 6th floor
New York, New York 10022
212.319.ARTS (2787)
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Our Supporters
VLA is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit legal service organization supported in part with public funds from the National Endowment for the Arts, the New York State Council on the Arts, a State Agency, and the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs and through generous gifts from corporations, foundations and individuals. View a full list of foundation and government supporters here; to view a full list of law firm and corporate supporters, click here. |
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VLA Welcomes Our Six New 2010 Summer Associates:
Kimberly G. Lippman
University of Pennsylvania Law School
Charles E. Mann
University at Buffalo
Law School-State
University of New York
Julia R. Marter
Fordham University
School of Law
Andrew Segna
Harvard Law School
Danielle Orly Schiffman
Georgetown University Law Center
Julia Starck
McGill University, Faculty of Law, Integrated
B.C.L/LL.B. Program
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Upcoming CLE Classes
The following VLA classes are CLE approved
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VLA Pro Bono Story of the Month
In Their Own Words:
Joyce Michel
It's final. It's
a patent! Fitzpatrick, Cella, Harper & Scinto picked up the application, just in the nick of time with only 6 weeks
until its expiration date, and they got it through. Anthony Zupcic (Patent Prosecution Chair, NY)
and Michael Fuerch (NY) did what I had almost given up hope on, they got the
patent issued! This was after 3 final rejections by the examiner so a positive
outlook seemed pretty bleak. After reviewing all of the information, Tony took
a call with the examiner and claims resulted that can now be patented. I am so very happy and relieved!
When I came to
VLA's offices you really took an extraordinary amount of time with me and
invested in my cause by calling law firms on my behalf. All of you were
professional, compassionate and very caring during the interview. Without your advocacy on my behalf, the
patent would not have been obtained, and six years of my life's work would not
be protected. I am so very grateful to
all of you, especially you Ben, thank you.
I will highly
recommend VLA to all of the artists I know who need great legal advice and are
just starting out.
Warm regards,
Joyce Michel
CEO/President
Michel Licensing,
Inc.
PS And, of
course, if someone is established, I will certainly recommend Fitzpatrick,
Cella, Harper & Scinto!
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| Financial Hardship Policy | |
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Full and partial scholarships to attend VLA's Continuing Legal Education programs are available to persons with demonstrated financial hardship. To apply, applicants must submit a request, on letterhead if possible, stating the reason for their interest, proof of income or an explanation of their financial hardship, and a completed course registration form. Scholarships will be awarded on a space-available basis, with preference given to applicants in order of date submitted. For more information please view http://www.vlany.org/education/clecredit.php. |
| Ways to Get Involved and Training for Attorneys |
If you're an attorney and would like to get involved with VLA, please click here for more information on our legal services, CLE classes, mediation training, and new attorney orientation programming. |
| Legal Services | |
VLA's Legal Services program is the central focus of our activities and resources. The program includes a wide range of services including: the Art Law Line, a legal hotline; the VLA Legal Clinic for VLA members; in-house appointments with VLA staff attorneys; and pro bono placements for low-income artists and nonprofit arts organizations with one of over 1,200 volunteer attorneys.
If you are a practicing attorney, you may view the current cases available for pro bono placement by clicking here.
For more information on any of our programs please call or Ben Brandow at 212·319·ARTS (2787), ext.14
You may also call our Art Law Line at 212.319.2787 x1, Monday through Friday, 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. |
| Education | |
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Our Department of Education offers a wide variety of discipline-specific and general educational programs, both at its office and privately on location for law firms and art, cultural and service organizations. VLA is also certified by the New York State Bar Continuing Legal Education Board as an accredited provider of Continuing Legal Education courses and programs. Accordingly, VLA provides CLE classes at its office, and privately for law firms at their offices. VLA also custom designs courses, including CLE classes, upon request.
For more information on any of our programs please call Sergio Muņoz Sarmiento at 212·319·ARTS (2787), ext.13. |
| VLA Library and Bookstore | | |
VLA has a small but in-depth book library containing a wealth of materials and resources for artists, arts organizations, and legal professionals. Our books and materials cover diverse areas such as nonprofits, fiscal sponsorships, visual art, music, theater, dance, writing, film, internet, and digital media, all in relation to intellectual property, contracts, licensing, legal entities, free speech, employment law, and grant writing. Access to VLA's library is free and is open to the public Monday through Friday, 12 to 6pm.
Along with providing individuals and organizations with access to the VLA's Library, VLA makes available a wide variety of books for all arts disciplines and organizations. For a list of our publications and books available for sale, please visit our list. For book prices and shipping fees, please contact VLA at our Art Law Line at 212.319.2787, x1. |
| VLA Calendar | |
Keep up with our events, classes, workshops, and legal clinics through our calendar. |
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