What is it? The WLA Arts Legal Clinic offers low-cost, private legal consultations to artists and arts organizations in the state of Washington. Typically, the clinic takes place twice monthly, and appointments may be made for 30 minute, confidential consultations with an attorney who specializes in arts and entertainment law. Topics of concern include copyright, trademark, licensing, fair use and contract issues.

Who is it for? The clinic is open for artists and arts organizations to discuss art, entertainment, business and intellectual property law issues.  All issues discussed must be related to your artistic discipline.  Some business issues (like reviewing contracts and whether it is appropriate to incorporate) are fair game.  Patent law, employment law and tax law issues are not appropriate for the clinic.

When is it?

Monday, December 1, 2008 – Everett, Arts Council of Snohomish County, 1507

Wall St, Everett, WA 98206. – 6:30-8:30 pm

Monday, December 15, 2008 – Edmonds ArtWorks, 2nd Ave. S., Edmonds, WA – 6:30-8:30 pm

Consultations with an attorney are a maximum of 30 minutes. For more information please contact the WLA at 206-328-7053 or visit www.WA-ArtLaw.org.

How much does it cost? We ask for a $20 dollar donation to the organization for your 30-minute appointment to be paid during the clinic.  The donation is not tax deductible.

What can I expect from the consultations? Each consultation with an experienced intellectual property attorney lasts for thirty minutes.  While you are welcome to provide materials in advance (such as contracts), please do not expect that the attorney has reviewed these materials.

Washington Lawyers for the Arts (“WLA”) makes legal resources accessible to artists and arts organizations of all disciplines. WLA is Washington’s only non-profit, arts legal service organization.  For more than 25 years, WLA has helped thousands of musicians, filmmakers, writers, painters, designers and many others. Artists call on WLA when they need specialized legal expertise, and when the services of an attorney are cost-prohibitive. WLA’s invaluable offerings include the Arts Legal Clinic, Brown Bag Seminars, Speakers Bureau and Legal Referral Service.