Volunteer Lawyers for the Arts

July 2011

Greetings!

 

Summer is just flying by here at VLA! Our Summer Benefit on June 16 was one of the highlights of the season. We had a terrific evening full of great music, delicious drinks donated by Tito's Vodka, and the wonderful company of volunteer attorneys and artists, all in a beautiful space at 303 Gallery in Chelsea. Thanks to all of those who came out to help us celebrate and honor our pro bono honorees.

 

Another highlight of the summer was launching the new Fashion Law for Lawyers Series. This program is an eight-part series specifically designed for attorneys interested in fashion law and representing designers of apparel, accessories and other fashion items. It will be co-taught by Barbara Kolsun, General Counsel at Stuart Weitzman LLC and the co-author of Fashion Law: A Guide for Designers, Fashion Executives, and Attorneys, and Elena M. Paul, Esq., VLA's Executive Director. For more information, or to sign up, visit the Fashion Law Website here.

 

On July 9, join Sergio Mu�oz Sarmiento and Luis Nieto Dickens as they lead the second Drawing for Lawyers course. The first course was such a success they decided to make it on on-going series. Come out for Drawing from the Left Side of the Brain: Drawing for Lawyers Vol. 2. Just you and a group of like-minded attorneys interested in expressing themselves through drawing and two artists hanging out with you teaching you how to "see" and draw. For more information, visit our website.

 

VLA is also offering a special Entertainment & Arts Career Counseling Clinic, Resume Review, and Networking Reception on July 28, 2011. Join us for the unique opportunity to meet one-on-one with experts in the arts and entertainment industry to talk about your interests and goals. These one-on-one meetings include the opportunity to have your resume reviewed by an industry expert. A networking reception for all participants will be held from 6 to 6:30pm. More information can be found here.

 

Please note the VLA offices will be closed on Friday July 1st and Monday July 4th. We will reopen on Tuesday July 5th. Have a great holiday weekend!

 

We hope to see you soon!

  

  

Volunteer Lawyers for the Arts 

 



ART & LAW RESIDENCY PROGRAM

Art & Law Residency New Website! 


We are excited to announce the launch of the Art & Law Residency Program new website! Check it out: http://vlany.org/residency.html

 



Upcoming Classes & Workshops  

..........................................................................................................

 

New Volunteer Attorney Orientation

 

Two sessions offered in the month of July! 

 

When: Monday, July 11, 2011, 6 - 7pm

and: Wednesday, July 20, 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, July 11 download formAdd this event to my calendar! 

Wednesday, July 20 download formAdd 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.

 

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 [email protected].

 

..........................................................................................................

 

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; there is a late registration fee of $10 if you register the day of the class)
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. All registration fees are non-refundable. For more information, please call Joni Todd at 212.319.2787 x10, or e-mail her at [email protected]

To apply for a full or partial CLE scholarship, please view our Financial Aid Policy Guidelines here 


..........................................................................................................


Nonprofit Incorporation and Tax Exempt Status Workshop


When: Tuesday, July 19, 2010, 1 - 4pm*
Tuesday, August 9, 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.

Fees:
(all fees are nonrefundable; 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 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 [email protected]

 

To apply for a full or partial CLE scholarship, please view our Financial Aid Policy Guidelines here


..........................................................................................................

 

 

Just announced, new this year:

VLA's Entertainment & Arts Career Counseling Clinic, Resume Review, and Networking Reception


When: Thursday, July 28, 2011, 4pm to 6:30pm
Where: Location TBA

Add this event to my calendar!

This year, VLA is offering a special Entertainment & Arts Career Counseling Clinic, Resume Review, and Networking Reception on July 28, 2011. Between 4pm and 6pm, join us for the unique opportunity to meet one-on-one with experts in the arts and entertainment industry to talk about your interests and goals. These one-on-one meetings include the opportunity to have your resume reviewed. A networking reception for all participants will be held from 6pm to 6:30.
 
Based on your area of practice or interest, we will pair you with an expert in that field. Arts and entertainment fields include: Visual arts, performance/theater/dance, music, film, literature, fashion, and sports. Meetings will be 20 minutes long and you will be assigned a meeting time on July 28th between 4pm and 6pm. You will be notified of your meeting time on or before July 25th.

Fees:
(all fees are nonrefundable; there is a late registration fee of $10 if you register the day of the class)
$50 for VLA YAMs
(Young Associate Members)
$75 for VLA Members
$125 for Non-Members

To register, please complete this registration form. All registration fees are non-refundable. For more information, please call Benjamin J. Brandow, Esq., at 212.319.2787 x14, or e-mail him at [email protected]

More info here 

 

..........................................................................................................

 

Check out our complete calendar:

 

JULYAUGSEPTOCTNOVDEC 

 

 

..........................................................................................................

SAVE THE DATE:

..........................................................................................................

 

Forming your For-Profit Arts Business

When: Thursday, August 11, 2011, 4 - 6pm
and Thursday, October 6, 2011, 4 - 6pm
Where: VLA, 1 East 53rd Street, NY, NY 10022 (Auditorium)

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:
(all fees are nonrefundable; 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: $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 [email protected]
 

 





 

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



 

LIBRARY & BOOKSTORE 

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.

 

Please note that your application does not guarantee a full or partial scholarship. Some classes are exempt.

 

VLA generally applies the following guidelines:

Unemployed: 75% scholarship

Income up to $35,000: 50% scholarship

Income $35,000 to $50,000: 25% scholarship

Income over $50,000: No Discount


 

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 Mu�oz Sarmiento at 212�319�ARTS (2787), ext.13.

 


 

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.


 

 


 

Carreer Clinic is here! 


 

 

 

 

 

VLA's Entertainment & Arts Career Counseling Clinic, Resume Review, and Networking Reception


Thursday June 28, 4pm.

 

More info here! 

  


In This Issue
Art & Law Residency News
Upcoming Classes & Workshops
Donate to VLA
Library & Bookstore
Financial Aid for Lawyers
Education & Programming
About VLA



DRAWING FOR LAWYERS

 

 

....................................................... 

 

Drawing for Lawyers vol.2

Saturday July 9, 2011

11am to 2pm at VLA

 

Lawyers spend too much time using the left-side of their brain and hardly tap into their creative right-side. With this in mind, I've decided to create a drawing class strictly for lawyers. Whether you're a novice or experienced draftsperson, I encourage you to put down that summary judgment brief and pick up a drawing pad and pencil and let that artist out...

 

-Sergio Mu�oz Sarmiento

 

More info and how to register here! 

 


 

LAW SCHOOL FOR VISUAL ARTISTS

 

Visit Law School for Visual Artists website

 

 


 

 

ALL YOU CAN LEARN PASS   

 

 


 

 

VLA & Artspace

special offer!

 

Jim Hodges 

VLA is pleased to announce the partnership with Artspace to bring you limited edition artwork from leading contemporary artists. Sing-up to Artspace now and receive a special offer!  

 

................................................ 

 

ARTSPACE 

 

 


 

 

YAM'S 

 

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! 

 

   

 



FOLLOW US ON TWITTER





 

 

Volunteer Lawyers for the Arts

1 East 53 Street, Sixth Floor

New York, NY 10022

P: 212.319.2787

F: 212.752.6575

http://vlany.org 

http://askthelawyer.info/