PVLA

WE EMPOWER ARTISTS

PVLA

WE EMPOWER ARTISTS

ARTISTS & ARTS ORGANIZATIONS

MORE FOR ARTISTS

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Who We Are & What We Do

PVLA empowers artists by securing free legal assistance and resources in order to support a thriving culture of creativity in the greater Philadelphia region. We connect low income artists, artist collectives, and small budget arts and cultural organizations with volunteer lawyers who contribute over $1 million in pro bono legal services each year. 

How It Works

  1. Request a lawyer by filling out an application (Individual Artist, Arts Organizations).
  2. Your application will be reviewed to determine if you are eligible for free legal assistance.
  3. We will match you with a lawyer who will contact you to determine next steps.

PVLA provides free legal consultations and full-service representation, speakers, and training programs to support a more robust culture of creativity and innovation in the Philadelphia region.

Request A Lawyer
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Contract and policy drafting, negotiation, review, and enforcement

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Commercial property issues related to studio or performance spaces

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Business entity formation & registration, including LLCs and securing non-profit status

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Copyright and trademark protection

Examples

of what PVLA can assist you with

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Employment issues

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Tax law

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Privacy and defamation

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Licensing

Examples

of what PVLA can assist you with

9942136851641615781-128

Contract and policy drafting, negotiation, review, and enforcement

16155646281641615779-128-1

Commercial property issues related to studio or performance spaces

18942829841641615781-128

Business entity formation & registration, including LLCs and securing non-profit status

white-version-contract

Copyright and trademark protection

20850712041641615779-128

Licensing

white-version-cog

Employment issues

5118390181641615779-128

Tax law

white-version-defamation

Privacy and defamation

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Stay up to date with the latest from PVLA!

What Artists are Saying

"PVLA has been a godsend...They connected me with responsive attorneys who are good with what they do."
Sonya Aronowitz
Juniper Productions

“PVLA is an incredible resource that I can direct artisans and makers to when needing advice or business support. I have also reached out to them as the director of an arts nonprofit. They are a trusted programming partner and can be counted on to deliver informative and engaging presentations on a range of topics that are important yet often overlooked by creatives.”

Leila Cartier

Former Executive Director, CraftNow

 

“[My PVLA lawyer] was incredibly knowledgeable and informative and even supportive of my work. I felt like he was able to not only provide all of the answers that I need, but to do so in a way that acknowledged and aligned with my creative vision and values.”

Yannick Trapman-O’Brien

Theatermaker and Performer

"PVLA worked diligently and efficiently to get me in touch with a lawyer whose specialty was perfectly fitted to my needs in understanding the recording contract I was offered."
David Carpenter

Independent Composer

"I love the staff at PVLA. From the beginning, everyone has been so helpful, and I really appreciate the work you all do. I would never have been able to afford such services otherwise, and it has made a wonderful difference for my business."

Roshelle Lennon

Writer, singer, dancer, actress/performer
"The PVLA team was extremely responsive and provided very clear and concise expertise on the matter. I'm very grateful for their help."
Dr. David M Greenberg

Musician and Playwright
"Thanks to [the PVLA volunteer lawyer’s] knowledge and assistance - I was able to copyright and trademark our MusicMan Academy and Schoener Fund logos as we are in the process of opening new branches of our programs. They documented and explained the entire process and always listened to my questions. Our volunteer lawyer asked me for my input along the way and always confirmed my understanding. I never felt rushed to make a decision but they also kept me on track in order to keep the process fluid."
 
Upper Darby Arts & Education Foundation

(UDAEF)
"I went to PVLA for legal assistance for an issue with Philadanco’s 501(c)(3) nonprofit tax status in the 1970s. A PVLA volunteer was paired with me and after his initial help with my legal issues, he quickly became my trusted legal advisor. His volunteer work led to his continued support of Philadanco as a Board Member and Chairman Emeritus over the last 40 years."
Joan Meyers Brown

Founder/Artistic Director of Philadanco!
"In 2005, when I started ARTsisters, a group of professional women artists who empower each other and the community through art, I contacted PVLA for advice about some legal issues. They were very helpful and supportive and their advice saved me time and money; I really appreciated having someone to talk to about legal art issues."
 
Linda Dubin Garfield
 
Artist and founder of ARTsisters.org