Volunteer Lawyer

Seeking Volunteer Lawyers to Assist with Arts-Related Legal Matters

Position: Volunteer Lawyer (pro bono)

Location: 

• Referral cases: Remote/Tennessee (Statewide) 
• Quarterly Pro Bono Legal Clinics: In-person/Nashville area

Commitment: 

• Referral cases: Case-by-Case Basis (Pick up cases from weekly referral list emailed to you)
• Quarterly Pro Bono Legal Clinics: Two hours per quarterly clinic. Clinics are held in-person in February, May, August, and November, typically on the first Wednesday of the month from 6-8 p.m.

Job Summary: ABC’s Volunteer Lawyers & Professionals for the Arts (VLPA) program seeks volunteer lawyers interested in supporting artists and nonprofit arts organizations by assisting income-qualified clients with arts-related legal cases and/or assisting clients at quarterly VLPA pro bono legal clinics. A list of referral cases is emailed to volunteers weekly. Volunteers have the flexibility to select matters that align with their skills and availability, assisting artists and organizations with issues such as intellectual property, contract review, nonprofit formation, business structuring, and other art-related matters.

Job Responsibilities:

• Review and accept pro bono referral cases assisting artists and nonprofit arts organizations in arts-related legal matters
• Advice on specific issues, including contracts, copyrights, trademarks nonprofit formation, and dispute resolution at clinics and through referral cases
• Provide strategic insights to help clients build and grow sustainable careers
• Participate, as your schedule allows, in quarterly legal clinics for two hours each quarter in exciting locations around Nashville

Qualifications:

• Active bar membership in Tennessee 
• Ability to effectively communicate complex topics to non-specialists
• Commitment to helping artists and arts nonprofit organizations achieve their professional goals

Benefits:

• Flexible commitment: choose cases that align with your interests and availability
• Earn Continuing Legal Education (CLE) credit while accruing pro bono hours
• Gain valuable experience in arts-focused legal issues
• Make a meaningful impact on our community by empowering creatives to protect and advance their work
• Opportunities for professional growth and to build connections with the arts, business and legal communities
• The opportunity for paying legal referrals. 

Become a member of the Arts & Business Council at the Supporter level or higher to receive membership benefits including weekly email newsletters, discounts on seminars and CLEs, invitations to social events, and other networking and marketing opportunities. Plus, the opportunity for paying referrals for clients who do not qualify for pro bono assistance.

Questions? Review our FAQs for Volunteer Lawyers.

How to Apply: Ready to volunteer with VLPA? Complete the Volunteer Sign-Up Form here and someone from our team will be in touch.