Legal Resources for Artists
This is a resource list compiled by Asian American Arts Alliance (A4) for artists who are seeking legal counsel, particularly pro bono help from attorneys on racial discrimination or artistic freedom. If you have any resources to add or update, please email a4@aaartsalliance.org.
Pro Bono and art specialist attorneys
Volunteer Lawyers for the Arts
Dedicated to artists in NYC, VLA is a legal aid and education organization striving to provide access to legal protection and focused education programs to the artistic community. They provide in-house consultations, legal clinics, and pro bono placements for low-income artists who qualify.
Center for Art Law
Based in Brooklyn, the Center for Art Law provides an expansive case law database, copyright resources for AI and art authentication, and guidance for artists. They offer a membership for artists to access the Case Law Corner, where they have over 1,000 art-related case summaries. Their Art Law Library also houses 500+ publications related to art law.
Artists Rights Society
ARS provides free copyright licensing support to artists and monitors unauthorized reproductions of an artist’s work for a subscription fee. The ARS blog publishes articles about copyright and intellectual property and licensing deals.
Artists at Risk Connection
Safety guide for artists explores the definition of risk and how to identify it, and details what to do ranging from how to recover from it to finding assistance and documenting threats.
Legal Help for Racial Discrimination
The Legal Aid Society
The Legal Aid Society provides free legal representation and consultation for New Yorkers about civil issues, such as housing, employment discrimination, and ICE/deportation.
Empire Justice Center
The Empire Justice Center is a non-profit organization that helps low-income New Yorkers to organize their evidence involving discrimination and filing complaints with the appropriate government agency.
Asian American Legal Defense and Education Fund (AALDEF)
Based in NYC, AALDEF has been on the frontlines of defense for the civil rights of Asian American communities, serving as “the legal arm of grassroots Asian American communities.”
Censorship and First Amendment Rights
Avant Garde Lawyers
Avant Garde Lawyers provides pro bono support to artists and courses on the domain of freedom of expression.
National Coalition Against Censorship & The Center For Democracy and Technology
The NCAC and CFD works together to explain First Amendment protections for artwork and provide a list of relevant cases.
Student Press Law Center
The Student Press Law Center is the only organization in the US dedicated to student journalists and advancing their free rights to stand up for press freedom. They have a free legal hotline and provide training and materials to help journalists navigate media law.
American Civil Liberties Union
ACLU is a nonprofit organization founded to defend and advance freedom and justice. They operate as the US’s largest public interest law firm and work with lawmakers to shape legislation.
Asian American Bar Association of New York
The AABNY’s Pro Bono and Community Service Committee offers free legal service for Asian American attorneys and works to bring free/low-cost legal services to AAPI and immigrants.