Maryland Volunteer Lawyers for the Arts

Maryland Volunteer Lawyers for the Arts Established in 1985, Maryland Volunteer Lawyers for the Arts does legal differently. We're here to make legal support accessible & affordable for creatives.

MdVLA is a nonprofit organization dedicated to protecting Maryland artists’ legal rights. We believe it’s our responsibility to stand up for artists who need legal representation. Your work is precious. We can help protect it. Through the help of our professionally trained network of lawyers, we proudly provide pro-bono legal referrals and services to artists in the state of Maryland. We hold lect

ures and seminars as well as Art Law Clinics for consultations, and we generate educational materials to keep you in the know.

06/18/2026

Crimson Desert keeps raising the bar, and the momentum isn’t slowing down 🔥 Another major update has arrived faster than anyone expected, bringing 20 new collectible creatures into the world — including raccoons that players can now tame and keep as pets.

One of the biggest highlights of this patch is the introduction of the Baby Wyvern, a brand-new pet that players can hatch from an egg and raise over time. In a future update, this young companion will eventually evolve into a full-fledged flying mount, making the journey even more exciting.

Fans may recognize the Wyvern from early promotional teasers, so seeing it finally come to life in-game has the community buzzing. It’s another example of Crimson Desert turning big promises into real gameplay features.

With nonstop updates, fresh content, and strong community-focused development, Crimson Desert continues to impress players everywhere. Many are still discovering everything from the previous update — and now there’s even more waiting to be explored.

The fast-paced rollout of new content is quickly making Crimson Desert one of the most talked-about games in the industry right now.

06/15/2026

You are a creative entrepenuer! Start taking your business seriously and get in the know with the Creative Brief.

Creative Brief is MDVLA’s biweekly newsletter for creatives and artists. Join today and get the insider scoop about news and events for creatives in Maryland, opportunities, legal workshops, business resources, office hours and more!

🛡️ At MDVLA, we lawyer differently. We believe culture-shaping creatives deserve legal protection that matches their value. That’s why we’re here to make legal support accessible, affordable, and solution-focused. You’ll have the tools to advocate for yourself, protect your work, and build a thriving creative practice. On your terms.

Artists are expected to give a lot. They are part of the economy and the culture, but often lack resources and support t...
06/12/2026

Artists are expected to give a lot.

They are part of the economy and the culture, but often lack resources and support to properly build a business or advocate for themselves legally.

At MDVLA, we help artists advocate for themselves. This lets them take back their time, focus more on their practice, their lives, and their passions because they have a solid business foundation.

That why our Art Law Clinic is open and free to any artist in the state of Maryland, so that you can focus on what you do best--create. Join our clinic on June 20th at Creative Suitland if:

☑️ You want to start taking your creative practice seriously
☑️ You're ready to gain clear, actionable legal guidance
☑️ You're looking for answers to specific questions about contracts, copyright, or creative business
☑️ You're ready to build something meaningful and protect it

Thank you to Carl Schmidt of Federal Hill Photography for these images!

MDVLA’s volunteer attorneys and creative entrepreneurs make us who we are!🚀 Meet Francine Diggs, an artist, business own...
06/09/2026

MDVLA’s volunteer attorneys and creative entrepreneurs make us who we are!

🚀 Meet Francine Diggs, an artist, business owner, and volunteer attorney who has worked with MDVLA to support creatives around the state.

Francine is a managing attorney for the federal government and artist combining legal expertise with community investment. Inspired by her love of art and experiences staffing military legal clinics, Francine volunteers at MDVLA Art Law Clinics. Now serving on Arts Administrators of Color’s Board of Directors, she continues protecting artists’ intellectual property while simultaneously operating ShinDiggs Arts and Entertainment.

Are you an artist or creative entrepreneur based in Maryland? Learn more about MDVLA's services today: www.mdvla.org

Back by popular demand 🔥 We will be presenting at Maryland Arts Summit with another can’t miss Lunch & Learn! MDVLA's se...
05/27/2026

Back by popular demand 🔥 We will be presenting at Maryland Arts Summit with another can’t miss Lunch & Learn! MDVLA's session will break down the essentials of nonprofit governance, legal responsibilities, and bylaws in a clear, practical, and artist-friendly way.

This lunch & learn is built for:

- Creatives launching an arts nonprofit
- Artists serving on a board
- Entrepreneurs leading a creative organization

Maryland Arts Summit is perfect for:

- Emerging nonprofits
- Executive directors
- Board members
- Arts leaders

Join us in building stronger, smarter organizations for the future. 🎭📚⚖️ Register for the Maryland Arts Summit Today!

At MDVLA, our core mission is a dedication to protecting Maryland artists’ and organizations’ legal rights. We do that t...
05/26/2026

At MDVLA, our core mission is a dedication to protecting Maryland artists’ and organizations’ legal rights. We do that through a variety of direct services and through our impact litigation and policy advocacy efforts.

Last month, Maryland officially passed the Protecting Artists’ Creative Expression (PACE) Act which MDVLA provided both legislative edits and written and spoken testimony over nearly three years in collaboration with Delegate Marlon Amprey.

Now, we return to our on-the-ground work educating and empowering artists. Here is June's roundup! Mark your calendars now and find all links in our bio.

IT'S OFFICIAL: THE PACE ACT HAS PASSED!!!!The Protecting Artists' Creative Expression (PACE) Act provides guidelines for...
05/21/2026

IT'S OFFICIAL: THE PACE ACT HAS PASSED!!!!

The Protecting Artists' Creative Expression (PACE) Act provides guidelines for prosecutors who would like to use creative expression (lyrics, poems, etc.) as evidence against a defendant in a criminal case. The judge must find that the creative expression is meant to be literal, close in time and facts to the alleged criminal act, relevant to answering a disputed question, and more helpful than harmful.

🗣️ Maryland is only the third state to pass legislation protecting artistic expression, after California and Louisiana. MDVLA provided both legislative edits and written and spoken testimony over nearly three years in collaboration with Delegate Marlon Amprey. 🤝

But, we didn't do it alone.

Thank you to Delegate Marlon Amprey, all other co-sponsors of this bill, various artists and creatives who supported this bill & Governor Wes Moore for this victory!

Hear from MDVLA Board Member, Andrea Dennis, Co-author of Rap on Trial: Race, Lyrics, and Guilt in America directly about our impact:

"MDVLA aims to restructure systemic power by educating the creative community about systems of oppression that may work against creatives and their work. Our work in support of passage of the PACE Act is an effort to protect creatives from the power imbalance within the criminal legal process.

I am excited to work with MDVLA to protect artists and creativity and look forward to assisting our future work monitoring and tracking the impact of the Act."

IT'S OFFICIAL: THE PACE ACT HAS PASSED!!!!The Protecting Artists' Creative Expression (PACE) Act provides guidelines for...
05/21/2026

IT'S OFFICIAL: THE PACE ACT HAS PASSED!!!!

The Protecting Artists' Creative Expression (PACE) Act provides guidelines for prosecutors who would like to use creative expression (lyrics, poems, etc.) as evidence against a defendant in a criminal case. The judge must find that the creative expression is meant to be literal, close in time and facts to the alleged criminal act, relevant to answering a disputed question, and more helpful than harmful.

🗣️ Maryland is only the third state to pass legislation protecting artistic expression, after California and Louisiana. MDVLA provided both legislative edits and written and spoken testimony over nearly three years in collaboration with Delegate Marlon Amprey. 🤝

But, we didn't do it alone.

Thank you to Delegate Marlon Amprey, all other co-sponsors of this bill, various artists and creatives who supported this bill & Governor Wes Moore for this victory!

Hear from MDVLA Board Member, Andrea Dennis, Co-author of Rap on Trial: Race, Lyrics, and Guilt in America directly about our impact:

"MDVLA aims to restructure systemic power by educating the creative community about systems of oppression that may work against creatives and their work. Our work in support of passage of the PACE Act is an effort to protect creatives from the power imbalance within the criminal legal process.

I am excited to work with MDVLA to protect artists and creativity and look forward to assisting our future work monitoring and tracking the impact of the Act."

05/19/2026

There is a reason why our Art Law Clinics are among some of our most popular programming, but what makes clinic so special?

Art Law Clinics are your first step to protecting the heart of your art. In these monthly sessions, we connect artists with lawyers who understand the unique challenges of creative work.

This opportunity is perfect for artists who want to:

🎯 Start taking your creative practice seriously
💫 Gain clear, actionable legal guidance
📝 Get answers to specific questions about contracts, copyright, or creative business
🌱 Build something meaningful and protect it

Oh and did we mention it's completely free? Don't wait! Sign up for a slot now.

Address

1505 Eutaw Place, Suite 205
Baltimore, MD
21217

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm
Saturday 9am - 5pm
Sunday 9am - 5pm

Telephone

+14107521633

Website

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