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Greetings!
It was a long time coming but summer is finally here! And the beginning of summer brings with it our new Summer Associates. We are excited and welcome all of them. Thanks for your patience in our transition period!
Spring wrapped up nicely here at VLA, beginning with Ben Brandow leading our MediateArt Training program and ending with Elena Paul moderating our Intellectual Property Licensing Workshop. Special thanks to both Orrick, Herrington, and Sutcliff LLP and Hughes Hubbard & Reed LLP for hosting these full day events. Sergio Munoz Sarmiento and Luis Nieto Dickens also held our first drawing class for attorneys. It was such a success that they will be leading more of these throughout the year.
Summer is bringing many great events, most importantly our Summer Benefit on Thursday June 16. Join us for unique hors d' oeuvres, music, and cocktails at 303 Gallery in Chelsea. We will present the 2011 S. Jeanne Hall Pro Bono Service Awards to Barbara Kolsun, Esq., Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton LLP, Herrick, Feinstein LLP, Proskauer Rose LLP and Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP. For more information, or to purchase tickets, please view this page. Hope to see you there.
Interested in starting a culinary business? Join us on Tuesday, June 14 from 4-6 to learn valuable information. This workshop 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). For more information, visit our website here.
Finally, don't forget our two best-selling classes: Nonprofit Incorporation and Tax Exemption Workshop, 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.
We hope to see you soon!
Volunteer Lawyers for the Arts
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VLA Summer Benefit 2011 Thursday June 16, 2011, 6-8p.m. at 303 Gallery ....... Tickets available at a special price for a limited time: Artists $25 YAM's Current Members $50 ....... Please join us for hors d' oeuvres and cocktails at 303 Gallery. This year's Summer Benefit will be held on Thursday, June 16, 2011, 6-8p.m. at 303 Gallery, with live music provided by Bounce Music and Entertainment and cocktails sponsored by Tito's Vodka. ............................................................................................................. Presenting: THE 2011 S. JEANNE HALL PRO BONO SERVICE AWARDS Barbara Kolsun, Esq. Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton LLP Herrick, Feinstein LLP Proskauer Rose LLP Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP ............................................................................................................. 303 Gallery 547 W 21st Street New York, NY 10011 To purchase tickets to our Summer Benefit, please download this form. For more information, please contact Joni Todd via e-mail at jtodd@vlany.org or by phone at 212.319.2787 ext. 10  
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New Summer Associates at VLA
VLA welcomes our 2011 Summer Associates. On May 31st, and for 10-weeks, five law students from across the U.S. will continue their education in art and entertainment law. The Summer Associates will help our callers via the Art Law Line; sit-in on client consultations with staff attorneys; engage in research and writing projects in diverse areas such as intellectual property, contracts, legal entities, and employment law; attend VLA classes and seminars; and enjoy VLA events and panels, such as our super popular Career Panel in Art and Entertainment Law. We welcome Sam, Sasha, Stephanie, Jessica, and Amy. We also welcome two new summer interns, Eric Vissichelli and Jacquelyn Farrell to the VLA family. We look forward to having you. Here's a bit on each of our Summers:
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Sam Griffel
Born in Chicago, Sam grew up in New York, attending both high school and college in Manhattan. Studying at NYU, he majored in Cinema Studies, spending most of his time watching movies or working for television production companies. While at NYU, Sam received highest honors for his thesis on Bromantic Comedies and was a Presidential Honors Scholar and Founders' Day Award Recipient.
Following graduation, Sam chose to pursue his JD at UCLA where he is specializing in the Entertainment and Media and Law Policy program. As a 1L he was a representative to the Student Bar Association, UCLA Student Ambassador, and co-hosted UCLA's Law Revue night where his short video was voted best student film. He is the Legal Services Coordinator for the UCLA Mobile Clinic, a Submissions Editor on the Entertainment Law Review, and was recently voted 2L class president. He is equally proud of his commitment to the law school's intramural soccer, football and softball teams. Sam is looking forward to spending the summer at VLA and returning home to New York.
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Sasha Hope Herzig
Sasha Hope Herzig is a second year student at CUNY School of Law. As an undergraduate student at the University at Albany, she majored in both Economics and Women's Studies, with an emphasis on the intersection between economic and social injustices. Sasha also spent time in Valencia, Spain where she studied Spanish arts, language and culture. At UAlbany, Sasha was elected a Facilitator of the Women's Studies Department and taught an Introduction to Feminisms course. Her desire to work within the public interest sector led her to CUNY Law, the leading public interest law school, where she is Treasurer of the Domestic Violence Coalition.
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Stephanie Hunter
Stephanie Hunter is a 2L at the University of Texas School of Law. She was born and raised in Houston, TX and trained as an opera singer for 8 years until she was 20. Stephanie attended the University of St. Andrews in Scotland as an undergraduate and received an M.A. in Art History in 2007. She is currently on the Submissions Review Board of the Texas International Law Journal and has worked as a grants intern at the Austin Museum of Art. After her 1L year, Stephanie interned with a Federal Magistrate Judge in San Jan, Puerto Rico. She is interested in pursuing a career in art law, with a particular emphasis on business administration and tax. Outside of law school, Stephanie enjoys yoga, foreign travel, and spending time with friends and family.
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Jessica Lazzara
Jessica Lazzara is a University of Texas law student from Ponte Vedra Beach, FL. She attended Southern Methodist University in Dallas, TX as an undergraduate student, where she studied Finance. In law school, she is a Staff Editor on the Texas Review of Entertainment and Sports Law and a member of Law Students for the Arts. She is also a member of the Public Interest Law Association, and has made public interest involvement a priority throughout her life. In her spare time she likes to attend plays and musicals, hike, and travel.
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Amy Zelcer
Amy Zelcer graduated with an A.B. with honors in history from Harvard University, where her senior thesis was awarded the Lillian Bell Prize. Currently in her 1L year at Georgetown Law, she is a member of the Georgetown Law Barrister's Council and serves on the executive board of the Georgetown Entertainment and Media Alliance. She recently advanced to the quarterfinals of the 2011 William H. Greenhalgh Mock Trial Competition. Prior to law school, Amy worked as an actress and singer in New York City.
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Law School for Visual Artists latest news
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Art & Law Residency New Website! |
Upcoming Classes & Workshops
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New Volunteer Attorney Orientation
Two sessions offered in the month of June!
When: Monday, June 6, 2011, 6 - 7pm
and: Monday, June 13, 2011, 1 - 2pm
Where: VLA, 1 East 53rd Street, NY, NY 10022 (Auditorium)
*To register: Please note each session has its own registration form:
Monday, June 6 download form · Add this event to my calendar!
Monday, June 13 download form · Add this event to my calendar!
Getting Started With VLA: New 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.
Please note the following requirements for all attorneys performing volunteer work through VLA:
- All volunteers must submit a current resume, including 3 references, that VLA will check.
- All volunteer attorneys MUST be covered by their own or their employer's legal malpractice insurance policy for volunteer work performed through VLA.
- Attorneys who have have been admitted to practice for less than 3 years must have a supervising attorney who has been admitted to practice for longer than 3 years. Volunteers are responsible for securing their own supervising attorney.
You MUST RSVP prior to attending an orientation session.
Attorney orientations are conducted by Ben Brandow, Esq., Assistant Director of Legal Services and Dena Bouchard, Legal Fellow.
For additional information or if you are at a law firm and are interested in having VLA make a presentation to your attorneys about our volunteer opportunities please contact Ben at 212·319·2787, ext. 14 or at bbrandow@vlany.org.
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Nonprofit Incorporation and Tax Exempt Status Workshop
When: Tuesday, June 7, 2010, 1 - 4pm Tuesday, July 19, 2010, 1 - 4pm* *Denotes classes available for CLE credit. Where: VLA, 1 East 53rd Street, NY, NY 10022 (Auditorium) Add this event to my calendar!This three-hour introductory class introduces individuals, organizations and practicing attorneys to the basics of nonprofit incorporation and federal and state tax exemption. Class includes course e-book with this pertinent information, along with information on fiscal sponsorships programs as well as sample forms and documents. This class provides individuals, organizations and practicing attorneys with valuable information about starting a nonprofit organization. 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 this class before a volunteer attorney can be assigned to them.
This class will be taught by Sergio Muņoz Sarmiento, Esq., VLA's Associate Director. Come and learn about nonprofits while putting up with Sergio's jokes and hard-rock examples! Fees: (there is a late registration fee of $10 if you register 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 and for more information, please see this Non-Profit registration form, or register via phone at 212.319.2787 x1. ..........................................................................................................
Volunteer Lawyers for the Arts & Friends of the FCI Presents:
Starting Your Culinary Business
When: Tuesday, June 14, 2011, 4:30 - 7pm
Where: VLA, 1 East 53rd Street, NY, NY 10022 (Auditorium)
Add this event to my calendar!
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.
Fees (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
To register, please complete this registration form. All registration fees are non-refundable.
For more information, please call Elena M. Paul at 212.319.2787 x17.
.......................................................................................................... Forming your For-Profit Arts Business
When: Thursday, June 23, 2011, 4 - 6pm
and Thursday, August 11, 2011, 4 - 6pm
Where: VLA, 1 East 53rd Street, NY, NY 10022 (Auditorium)
Add this event to my calendar!
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.
Fees:
(there is a late registration fee of $10 if you register day of the class)
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 VLA's Executive Director, Elena M. Paul, Esq.
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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Check out our complete calendar: JULY · AUG · SEPT · OCT · NOV · DEC .......................................................................................................... SAVE THE DATE: .......................................................................................................... Counseling the Fashion & Film Client
When: Tuesday, July 12, 2011. 4 - 6:30pm*
Where: VLA, 1 East 53rd Street, NY, NY 10022 (Auditorium)
*1.5 CLE credit hours (1.5 Professional Practice). This program is "transitional," thus newly admitted attorneys are also qualified to receive CLE.
Add this event to my calendar!
This workshop addresses the common issues and many differences between film and fashion from the perspective of those seeking to represent and counsel artists in those fields. Artist working in those fields may also benefit from the class as it will provide an overview of the legal and business issues. Topics will include considerations in business organization and financing, and the creation, distribution and protection of business assets; industry-specific issues related to intellectual property; and common contracts for filmmakers/producers and artists working in fashion, apparel and design, modeling, photography and jewelry.
Fees: (all fees are nonrefundable)
Individuals/Orgs: $20 for VLA members; $45 for non-members
Attorneys: $50 for YAMS; $100 for VLA members; $150 for non-members
To register please complete this registration form and mail, fax or e-mail to Anna Kadyshevich at akadyshevich@vlany.org.
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VLA Membership
Law Firm and Corporate Members:
VLA has developed two new opportunities for attorneys and other legal professionals, that 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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Donate to VLA
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
Donations of any size will have a positive impact on our ability to provide vital services for artists and the arts community. $5, $10, $25, or $75 will help. In fact, if you donate more than $100 we will send you a VLA Supporter Box. What's in a VLA Supporter Box? Click here
Donate by purchasing an Artwork
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 in 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. (detail of artwork shown)
Mr. Hodges has generously donated these unframed limited edition prints to VLA.
For more information, please contact by e-mail Luis Nieto Dickens or at 212.319.2787 x12. Order Form |
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. |
Financial Aid for Lawyers
Financial Aid Policy Guidelines for CLE Classes: ATTORNEYS ONLY
To apply for a full or partial scholarship, applicants must submit proof of unemployment or their most recent tax return and a completed registration form for that class via mail to VLA 1 E. 53rd St., 6th Floor attn: Ben Brandow or via fax at 212.752.6575.
Unemployed: 75% scholarship Income up to $35,000: 50% scholarship Income $35,000 to $50,000: 25% scholarship Income over $50,000: No Discount
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Education & Programming
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.
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About VLA 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.
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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Art & Law Residency Website We just launched the new website for the Art & Law Residency Program! Check it out and let us know what you think!
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....................................................... Every month we will feature a New York area artist, designer or illustrator working in any media on our monthly newsletter. If you would like to see your work here please e-mail your name, contact info, artistic medium and a link to your online portfolio to Luis Nieto Dickens at lndickens@vlany.org to receive more info on format and deadline.
All inquiries to appear in our newsletter should be sent by June 11, 2011
 Visit Law School for Visual Artists website!
YAM's
VLA's Young Associate Membership (YAM's) is a membership category exclusively for young lawyers and arts professionals generally in their 1st - 4th years of practice and career.
Learn more about YAM's here!
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