The timing and type of your legal issue will guide whether a case referral or clinic appointment is appropriate. For most legal issues, a clinic appointment is the most efficient way to receive assistance. However, if you need help with a more complicated issue or do not want to wait for the next clinic date, a case referral may be a better option.

All non-legal requests for assistance should be submitted through the case referral intake form.

VLPA assists artists and arts organizations with “arts-related issues,” meaning legal and business issues arising as a result of artistic work. For example, intellectual property issues, contracts, application for an artist visa, or incorporation of arts-related businesses and non-profits, among others.

Clients will receive an appointment for a one-on-one meeting a volunteer attorney at the clinic. Clinic volunteers can assist with reviewing contracts that are two pages or less, consult on intellectual property questions, creative business formation matters and other general art-related legal questions that can be answered in 30 minutes or less. If your issue is not resolved during your appointment, you may elect to seek additional support through our case referral program.

Artists and organizations interested in receiving support through case referrals must complete an intake form that provides relevant details about your issue. After your intake form is processed, VLPA staff will pace your matter on an unassigned case list that is distributed to volunteer professionals each week. Volunteers can then elect to take your matter. VLPA staff will connect you with your volunteer to receive direct assistance on your matter. VLPA will check-in with you and your volunteer throughout the case to ensure the matter is satisfactorily resolved.

First, to determine whether you qualify for the pro bono assistance, VLPA needs to review your most recent tax returns. If you did not file taxes, we will ask you for an affidavit of income and further documentation on a case-by-case basis. Email VLPA@abcnashville.org to discuss your income verification options. Aside from financial information, VLPA volunteers must review all documentation relevant to your legal issue. For example, a contract, email correspondence, letters, or a link to a website. As we learn more about your legal issue, we will be able to ask you for specific materials. VLPA will not schedule you for a clinic or place your matter on the unassigned case list until you have sent in all the relevant materials.

Beyond legal assistance, VLPA can connect artists and arts organizations with business professionals skilled in accounting, human resources, IT, fundraising, and more.

Email VLPA@abcnashville.org with your non-legal arts-related matter and we will let you know if we have a volunteer that can assist you.

Examples of matters VLPA cannot assist with include: criminal or domestic matters, bankruptcy, and matters that are artist-adverse (individuals or businesses contracting with or in a dispute with an artist).

Because the volunteers we work with take on cases above and beyond the daily responsibilities of their full-time jobs, finding a lawyer or other professional to assist you may take as little as a week or up to several weeks. While most matters are picked up within one to two weeks, we cannot guarantee that we will be able to find an attorney to assist you.

Email VLPA@abcnashville.org and our team will be happy to assist you.