Resources
Legal Issues
Wisconsin does not have a separate and independent statewide Volunteer Lawyers for the Arts organization (VLA), but Create Wisconsin is often listed in directories as the Wisconsin VLA since we are the general arts and creative economy service organization for the state. Although Create Wisconsin doesn't have attorneys on staff, we strive to assist people, organizations, businesses, and communities with general information and to direct them to other resources that can provide expert legal services.
Create Wisconsin partners with the State Bar of Wisconsin's Pro Bono program to seek legal assistance. We make every effort to find representation, although the State Bar doesn't guarantee assistance. Send a message with a brief description of your issues and questions to info@createwisconsin.org.
And, below are additional resources to address legal issues, which may get assistance for your issue more quickly than the State Bar.
Wisconsin assistance:
Wisconsin Entertainment Lawyers Association www.entlaw.org
Legal Action Wisconsin: www.legalaction.org
Directory of self-help legal resources in Wisconsin counties (Wisconsin Supreme Court)
Most counties in Wisconsin have county bar associations. It may be easier and faster to seek assistance closer to home. Click here for info on county bar associations.
Other resources:
Arts legal resources compiled by the Wisconsin Arts Board (6-27-25)
Create Wisconsin and the Wisconsin Entertainment Lawyers Association presented a workshop on “Legal Issues for Artists, Creatives, and Content Creators” on January 22, 2025.
Passcode: d*TtHuc7
NAVIGATING THE COPYRIGHT CLAIMS BOARD: A PRACTICAL GUIDE FOR CREATORS - a guide created through a partnership to better understand the Copyright Claims Board (CCB) as a resource for creatives between the Center for Cultural Innovation (CCI) and Stanford University’s Juelsgaard Intellectual Property and Innovation (JIPIC).
Milwaukee area legal resources:
Marquette Volunteer Legal Clinic and link to: https://law.marquette.edu/mvlc/
Marquette Nonprofit Clinic and link to: https://law.marquette.edu/mvlc/. See clinic information under Appointment Based Services.
Legal Aid Milwaukee: www.lasmilwaukee.com/
Milwaukee Justice Center: www.milwaukeejusticecenter.org
Milwaukee Bar Association Lawyer Referral & Information Service
Madison area: click here for Madison area low cost legal assistance info.
We strive to keep this information up to date, but things can change fast on the internet. If you find a broken link or incorrect information, please let us know, at info@createwisconsin.org. Thanks!