legal services
The Volunteer Lawyers for the Arts of Massachusetts & Connecticut (VLA) provides affordable legal counsel to artists, creative entrepreneurs, and arts nonprofits. Services include referrals, direct representation, legacy and estate planning, and educational workshops. In FY 2025 alone, VLA facilitated more than $2.5 million in donated legal services and fielded 387 legal applications.
What We Do
The VLA program accomplishes its mission through the work of a panel of more than 750 attorneys who volunteer their time and services to provide legal counsel, education, and organizational support to the arts communities of MA and CT.
Lawyer referral program
VLA refers applicants to a panel of volunteer attorneys who offer their services on a pro bono basis and paid attorneys who offer their services on a reduced fee basis.
Direct legal representation
VLA staff attorneys work directly with applicants to address their specific legal issues in house.
Educational programs
Presentations and workshops presented by attorneys for the creative community.
Apply for Legal Services
The VLA serves Massachusetts- and Connecticut-based individual artists, arts nonprofits, and other arts and cultural organizations in civil, non-criminal legal matters. The VLA serves artists of all disciplines, including visual artists, musicians, writers, and performance artists. Additionally, through the Patent Pro Bono Program of New England, the VLA serves low-income, independent inventors in Maine, Vermont, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, and Rhode Island.
Upcoming Events
Apply for Legal Services
The VLA serves Massachusetts- and Connecticut-based individual artists, arts nonprofits, and other arts and cultural organizations in civil, non-criminal legal matters. The VLA serves artists of all disciplines, including visual artists, musicians, writers, and performance artists. Additionally, through the Patent Pro Bono Program of New England, the VLA serves low-income, independent inventors in Maine, Vermont, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, and Rhode Island.