Volunteer Lawyers for the Arts

September 2011

Greetings!

The highlight of August was the Art & Law Residency Symposium. The Art & Law Residency is an intellectual and artistic setting for eight visual artists and four writers to engage in ongoing debates that examine the overlap and disconnect between artistic production and the law from historical, social, ethical, and intellectual standpoints. At the Symposium, graciously hosted by Shearman & Sterling LLP, the writers in this year's program presented papers investigating the role intellectual property plays in the construction and dissemination of photography and video, and art as an alternative to traditional forms of justice and legal remedies. Respondent Ruben Verdu followed with his insights, and the evening ended with a thought provoking and rousing discussion with the audience and the writers. Thanks to the Residents for all their work and for a wonderful evening. Click here to see more images of the event!

...............................................................................................................
ART & LAW RESIDENCY SYMPOSIUM

Sergio Mu�oz Sarmiento, Esq., Residency Program Director and Faculty opening the evening Art & Law Residency Symposium at Shearman & Sterling LLP, New York City.

 

ART & LAW RESIDENCY SYMPOSIUM

Engaged audience at the Art & Law Residency Symposium.

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

 

September brings with it the much anticipated Fashion Law for Lawyers Series. This series will be taught by Barbara Kolsun, Esq., 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, please visit the site here.

On September 22, join us for the Legal Issues in Film workshop. 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. It will also take a look at legal issues surrounding recent films such as Borat. For more information or to register, visit our website here.

Please note the VLA offices will be closed Thursday September 1st through Monday September 5th. We will reopen on Tuesday September 6th.

Have a great summer and we hope to see you soon!

  

FASHION LAW FOR LAWYERS

 

Fashion Law for Lawyers:

Reading, Writing and Representation

 

From September to December, 2011

CLE: *16 CLE credits: 9 Professional Practice, 6.5 Skills and 0.5 Ethics (Approved for Non-Transitional and Transitional Attorneys)

 

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. The course will provide an in-depth consideration of the legal issues and common business arrangements found in the fashion industry, as well as offer writing opportunities that will be critically analyzed by the program faculty. Topics will include: legal entities and business formation; intellectual property; labor and employment; licensing; advertising and business relationships with various suppliers and vendors. Finally, enrollees will have the opportunity to participate in the counseling and representation of fashion and design artists at VLA's Pop-Up Clinics. This series will be taught by Barbara Kolsun, Esq., 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.
 
More info and to register: http://vlany.org/fashion_law.html

 

 

VLA FALL 2011 TRUNK SHOW

VLA Fall 2011 Trunk Show

When:
Thursday, September 15, 2011, 6 - 8pm

 

Where: Proskauer Rose LLP.
Eleven Times Square, New York, NY 10036 Map it!

Add this event to my calendar!

Check out the designers that will participate in the Trunk Show!

This networking event and curated Trunk Show features some of NYC's hottest fashion, accessory and apparel designers. We are happy to announce we have additional space for more designers who want to showcase their work!
 
If you are a fashion/jewelry/product designer or artist interested in being considered to participate, please apply by email to Elena M. Paul, Esq., at [email protected] and Luis Nieto Dickens at [email protected]  with the name of your business, a link to your website if any, and a short description of your business/merchandise. We will then review your application and let you know if you have been accepted as well as sending you additional details. Artists and Designers manage their own sales and there  is no charge to participate. If you know someone that would be interested in participating on this event feel free to forward this email.  
 
If you are planning to attend this event, please make sure you RSVP to Luis Nieto Dickens at [email protected].



ART & LAW RESIDENCY

Art & Law Residency Program


Program Goal
The Art & Law Residency provides an intellectual and artistic setting for participants to engage in ongoing discussions and debates that examine the overlap and disconnect between artistic production and the law from historical, social, ethical and intellectual standpoints. Using law as both a discourse and medium, new visual artwork and critical writing will come into being through the Program. All the participants will also gain experience and knowledge they can carry into the future beyond the Program.

Overview
The core of the Program will be semi-monthly Seminars directed at the examination of current art and law issues. Seminars will take place at the law firm of Morrison & Foerster LLP. Faculty as well as leading legal scholars and visiting artists will lead these Seminars. During the course of the Program, artists and writers will develop new projects and papers and receive support from Faculty on a regular basis to discuss and address the aesthetic, practical, philosophical, legal and judicial aspects of their work. The Residency will culminate in a public Exhibition and a Symposium held in New York City where artists will exhibit their projects and writers will present papers. Curators will work with The Residency curator in conceptualizing and organizing The Residency exhibition. For a list of the 2010 Fellows and their Bios please click here.

Program Dates:
January 2012 through August 2012

Application Deadline:
October 17, 2011

Notification:
December 1, 2011

APPLY!


For more info, visit: http://vlany.org/residency.html

 



Upcoming Classes & Workshops  

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

 

New Volunteer Attorney Orientation

 

 

When: Monday, September 12, 2011, 6 - 7pm

Where: VLA, 1 East 53rd Street, NY, NY 10022 (Auditorium)

 

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.

 

To register, please download this registration form 

 

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].

 

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


Nonprofit Incorporation and
Tax Exempt Status Workshop
*

When: Tuesday, September 13, 2010, 1 - 4pm
Where: VLA, 1 East 53rd Street, NY, NY 10022 (Auditorium)

Add this event to my calendar!

*3.0 CLE credits: 2 Professional Practice and 1 Skills (Approved for Non-Transitional and Transitional Attorneys)

 

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

 

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

 

Legal Issues in the Fashion Workplace

Employment Law and related Intellectual Property Issues for Individual Designers and Arts and Fashion Business Owners and Managers.

   

When: Tuesday, September 13, 2011, 4 - 6pm*

Where: VLA, 1 East 53rd Street, NY, NY 10022 (Auditorium)

 

Add this event to my calendar! 

 

*2 CLE credits: 1 Professional Practice, 0.5 Skills, and 0.5 Ethics (This program is "transitional," thus newly admitted attorneys are also qualified to receive CLE)

 

This program provides an overview of the laws that govern the relationships between individual artists and designers as employees and independent contractors in the fashion industry and fashion design businesses in their roles as employers.  Topics include the employee/independent contractor distinction, employment contracts, intellectual property issues, non-compete agreements, and more! The program will also provide an overview of the intellectual property and other assets that are typically at the heart of these businesses, with a focus on the common employment-related issues that arise in their creation and distribution.  

 

Presenters: Gary H. Glaser, Esq. and Elena M. Paul, Esq.

 

Fees: (there is a late registration fee of $10 if you register the day of the class) 

Individuals/Orgs: $35 for VLA members / $50 for non-members 

Attorneys: $125 for VLA members / $175 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    

 

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

 

Legal Issues in Film

 

When: Thursday, September 22, 2011, 4 - 6:30pm 

Thursday, February 16, 2012, 4 - 6:30pm

Where: VLA, 1 East 53rd Street, NY, NY 10022 (Auditorium)

 

Add this event to my calendar! 

 

*2.5 CLE credits: 1 Professional Practice, 1 Skills and .5 Ethics (Approved for Non-Transitional and Transitional Attorneys)

 

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.  

 

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  

 

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

 

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

 

Check out our complete calendar:

 �

SEPTOCTNOVDEC 

 

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

SAVE THE DATE:

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

 

Forming your For-Profit Arts Business 

 

When: 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.


 

 


 
FASHION LAW FOR LAWYERS

Fashion Law for Lawyers:

 

Reading, Writing and

Representation

 

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. The course will provide an in-depth consideration of the legal issues and common business arrangements found in the fashion industry, as well as offer writing opportunities that will be critically analyzed by the program faculty.

 

More info here! 

 


In This Issue
Fashion Law for Lawyers
VLA Fall 2011 Trunk Show
Art & Law Residency Program
Upcoming Classes & Workshops
Donate to VLA
Library & Bookstore
Financial Aid for Lawyers
Education & Programming
About VLA

 


 

 

VLA   More info here! 

 

 


 

 

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/