Arts & Business Council of Miami

Volunteer Lawyers for the Arts

Are you an arts organization or a part of the creative economy? Are you an artist, a maker or a creative entrepreneur? Volunteer Lawyers for the Arts is here to help with your legal matters!

Volunteer Lawyers for the Arts (VLA) is a referral service that provides pro-bono legal assistance to income-eligible artists, creative entrepreneurs or arts organizations in Miami-Dade county. VLA is a joint project of the Arts & Business Council of Miami and the Dade Legal Aid Put Something Back project.

  • Are you using out of date or one size fits all contracts?
  • Do you sign contracts or freelance agreements before getting an attorneys advice?
  • Are you protecting your work with copyright, licensing agreements or patents?
  • Are your bylaws and incorporation up to date?
 

In the digital age you need to protect your art work and original content. You need to read and understand any contract or official agreement before you sign or you can jeopardize your rights to your own work.

 

Legal assistance is available for such matters as contracts, copyrights, incorporation, estates/wills, and constitutional rights/First Amendment issues and more. We can not accept phone call inquiries.

 

With the support of the Miami-Dade County Department of Cultural Affairs and the Cultural Affairs Council, the Miami-Dade County Mayor and Board of County Commissioners.

If you need more information please email info@artsbizmiami.org

CLIENTS

Volunteer Lawyers for the Arts Miami serves:

  1. Non-profit 501c3 arts organizations or those applying for designation. The organization must have a budget of less than $500,000 per year.
  2. Organizations will be asked to send a copy of their current IRS 990 form to confirm financials.
  3. Artists or creative entrepreneurs that meet financial eligibility. You must have a total combined household income of less than 300% of the federal poverty guidelines. Click the following link to check the current year’s guidelines hhs.gov Applicants will be asked to send a current W2 form to show household income.
  4. To be eligible, you must have an arts-related legal matter or concern and be based in Miami-Dade County.

Application Process:

To begin the Volunteer Lawyers for the Arts (VLA) application process, click Apply Now to submit your preliminary information through the Arts & Business Council of Miami. After submitting this initial form, you will be redirected to Dade Legal Aid’s Put Something Back Pro Bono Project (PSB) to complete the full application, including any required supporting documentation, such as proof of income.

 

Once Dade Legal Aid receives your completed application and confirms that your legal matter relates to the arts and meets the program’s eligibility requirements, your application will be reviewed for possible referral to an attorney experienced in the relevant area of law. You will receive a notification via email or text regarding the status of your application from Dade Legal Aid’s Put Something Back Pro Bono Project. Please direct all questions to the PSB staff. Please note that PSB cannot guarantee that you will be placed with an attorney. Additionally, PSB is not responsible for any internet service disruptions, computer malfunctions, or technical issues that may prevent us from receiving your application.

 

Please note that the process of assigning an appropriate attorney may take up to 90 days. While every effort is made to match eligible applicants with pro bono legal counsel, we cannot guarantee placement. If an attorney cannot be secured within 90 days, you will receive a disengagement letter so you may pursue other legal resources.

APPLY NOW

ATTORNEYS

Share your legal expertise to help artists, creatives, and cultural organizations navigate legal challenges and build sustainable careers. Through Volunteer Lawyers for the Arts (VLA), you can make a meaningful impact on South Florida’s creative community by:

  • Providing pro bono consultations and legal guidance through clinics and educational programs.
  • Accepting pro bono referrals that align with your area of practice.
  • Supporting artists, creatives, and nonprofit arts organizations with legal matters that help strengthen the region’s creative ecosystem.

 

Click Apply Now  to begin by submitting your preliminary information through the Arts & Business Council of Miami.

 

After you submit the form, you will be automatically redirected to Dade Legal Aid’s Put Something Back Pro Bono Project to complete your volunteer attorney application. Once your enrollment is complete and approved, you may be eligible to receive Volunteer Lawyers for the Arts referrals that match your practice area and availability.

 

We are especially seeking attorneys with experience in:

  • Contracts
  • Copyright
  • Licensing
  • Business Formation & Incorporation
  • Trademarks
  • Employment Law
  • Nonprofit Law
  • Wills & Estates

Your expertise helps ensure that South Florida’s artists and cultural organizations have access to the legal resources they need to thrive.

APPLY NOW