VLA Mission

The Volunteer Lawyers for the Arts of Massachusetts' mission is to provide pro bono legal services, advice and education programming to artists and cultural organizations in Massachusetts. The VLA accomplishes its mission through the work of a panel of nearly 400 attorneys who volunteer their time and services to provide legal counsel, education, and organizational support to the Massachusetts Arts Community.

Highlights of Past VLA Cases

• Massachusetts Fine Art Consignment Law, General Laws 104 A
  Haley & Steele


• Boston Corporate Art
  When Boston Corporate Art declared bankruptcy in 2003, over a thousand pieces of consigned artwork were locked in a warehouse to await sale at auction. The VLA's efforts reunited over 70% of the pieces with the 200 artists who created them.


• VLA Legal Referral: Peter Caruso of Caruso & Caruso LLP; George Field of Verrill Dana LLP; and Brenda Ulrich formerly of Edwards Angell Palmer & Dodge LLP.
  Street Performers' Right to Perform: After a thirty-year battle with the City of Boston, the VLA's involvement has helped reopen the city's streets to performers. A landmark Federal Court decision repealed a number of city laws prohibiting public performances by declaring such laws unconstitutional under the First Amendment.


• VLA Legal Referral: John Cotter, Jason Duva, Karen Schouten and Thomas Turano formerly of Testa, Hurwitz, Thibeault LLP.

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