Thank you for your support of the creative community. Now more than ever, it is essential that we as a community come together to help those in need.

If you are interested in taking on one of these pro bono assignments, please contact one of our Legal Service Coordinators at [email protected]. 

If you have any questions about representing a pro bono PVLA or PA Patent client, please do not hesitate to contact our Executive Director.

NOTE: attorneys should be sure to submit a volunteer application before signing on to take a pro bono case with PVLA.

Please see below for a list of available pro bono projects for low income artists, artist collectives, and small budget arts & cultural organizations. Click for PDF of the current Case List.

CONTRACTS

  • Case 10313 (Full Service): Client is a screenwriter and creator seeking legal counsel to support the strategic submission of an original feature film to studios and streaming services. Client wrote the work in 2019, and it is already copyrighted. Client is seeking legal assistance with protecting the intellectual property; advising on submission best practices and contractual protections; clarifying Client’s rights and involvement in the event of interest or sale; and reviewing or structuring royalty or profit-sharing arrangements, if applicable.

GOVERNANCE/ESTATE PLANNING

  • Case 10119 (Full Service): Client created a Philadelphia-based scholarship program centered on intergenerational mentoring and generational alignment across Pennsylvania. Client authored a memoir and now seeks assistance to direct its proceeds toward supporting scholarships.

NON PROFIT BUSINESS FORMATION/DISSOLUTION

  • No cases at this time

REGULATORY/TAX COMPLIANCE

  • No cases at this time

INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY

  • Case 10009 (Full Service): Client wants to monetize her broad range of works created over her lifetime including paintings, creative writings, and scholarly writings. Client seeks legal counsel to ensure that her works outlive her and to determine the best way to manage her estate, whether that is through entity formation or an alternative route.
  • Case 10125 (Full Service): Client is a visual artist who created a unique fashion accessory using their own picture and design. Client took a picture of the item and that picture was published in numerous magazines and newspapers for which Client was always credited or compensated. Client has not registered a copyright or trademark for the item. Client has come across a website advertising and selling a nearly identical item. Client would like to discuss ownership rights over the item and potential infringement of their design.

LITIGATION & DISPUTE RESOLUTION

  • Case 10207 (Full Service): Client is the sole proprietor of a film production and web design LLC that produces environmental and nature films. Client registered the trademark for the LLC name in 2020. Client has worked with a cinematographer since the LLC’s inception in 2020, but the cinematographer is not a member of the LLC. Client’s legal issue centers on the ownership and use of content produced by the LLC on a YouTube channel that is under the control of Client’s former cinematographer. Client seeks legal assistance with evaluating Client’s IP rights and the possibility of pursuing legal action for IP infringement and clarifying the ownership of the content created during the cinematographer’s tenure with the LLC.
  • Case 10315 (Full Service): Client is an author, journalist, actress, model, teacher, and lecturer who was romantically involved with a renowned artist’s son in the 1970s. Client experienced abuse by this individual throughout their time together. The artist’s son was the longtime administrator of the late artist's estate until the son’s death in 2023. Client filed a complaint against the artist’s son in 2019, but the case was thrown out of court due to a lack of merit. Client believes she was wronged by the artist’s son and would like to discuss with an attorney her history with the artist’s son and whether she has claims against the artist’s estate.

REAL ESTATE

  • No cases at this time