Volunteer with MdVLA
At MdVLA, we strive to connect Maryland’s most creative people with talented, dedicated, hardworking attorneys. We work with artists who do everything from writing fiction to painting murals and they need lawyers like you: lawyers who will fight to protect their rights. If you’re looking for a rewarding and exciting way to do pro bono work and gain new legal experiences, volunteer with MdVLA.
Artists need assistance with a range of legal services, including:
- Contract drafting, negotiation, review, and enforcement
- Business entity formation, including LLCs and Non-Profits
- Copyright and Trademark registration
- Commercial Property issues related to studio or performance space
- Employment issues
- Privacy and Defamation
And more!
Apply to Be a Volunteer Lawyer
If you’re ready to volunteer to do pro bono work with artists in the state of Maryland, fill out our application and let’s get started.
Apply to Be a Pro Bono Patent Volunteer
Maryland Volunteer Lawyers for the Arts (MdVLA) has an agreement with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) to help financially under-resourced artists/inventors apply for patents through referrals to pro bono Patent Attorneys and Patent Agents. MdVLA’s pro bono patent program will function similarly to our regular referral program; however, there are some enhanced requirements in order to volunteer.
In order to volunteer, Patent Practitioners must 1) be registered to practice before the USPTO, and 2) have successfully prosecuted at least three (3) patent applications. For in-house attorneys who meet the above criteria, MdVLA provides access to malpractice insurance. The scope of services provided under the regional Patent Pro Bono Program is designed to be flexible, accommodating the needs of both the volunteer attorney and the inventor.
This is a new program and we expect the MDVLA Pro Bono Patent Program to start soliciting potential client applications on April 1st, 2025. By submitting a volunteer application now, you are helping us to best prepare for a successful launch of the program.
If you’re ready to volunteer to do pro bono patent work with artists/inventors in the state of Maryland, fill out our application and let’s get started.
Copyright Registration Training
Can’t wait to get started? Take our Copyright Registration for Artists Training online now with the Pro Bono Resource Center of Maryland. Through this training, you’ll learn how to register copyrights, address related business and legal issues, and counsel artists on how best to manage their intellectual property. Visit the link below to learn more and register.