Legal Services
The Ella Project hosts pro bono legal services for low to moderate income artists and musicians. Supervised by project co-founder Ashlye Keaton and her team of Tulane Law students, The Ella Project presents all day weekly legal clinics by appointment and provides assistance from concept to completion in issues of copyright, trademark, business formation, contract preparation, negotiation and review, licensing, estate planning, and other entertainment law matters.
For INDIVIDUAL ARTISTS seeking to schedule an appointment, please complete the Individual Artist Legal Services Application.
For NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS seeking legal assistance, please complete the Nonprofit Legal Assistance Application.
“Oil drilling rig Patent from 1911” by Patents Wall Art is licensed under CC BY 2.0
Gulf South Invents
Gulf South Invents is a program of The Ella Project, designed specifically for moderate income residents, small businesses, and grassroots nonprofits of Louisiana, Mississippi & Alabama seeking patent protection for their invention. Part of the Patent Pro Bono Program for independent inventors and small businesses, we work to match low to moderate income Louisiana inventors with patent practitioners who can help them draft, file and prosecute their patent application.
True to our mission of empowering creators to share their creation in a way that is just and equitable, and with the guiding principle that people should have access to high quality legal services regardless of their ability to pay, The Ella Project seeks to grow our regional economy and foster the next great Gulf South invention.
Have an invention that needs patent protection? Apply for Gulf South Invents Patent Assistance.
Want to use your skills as an attorney to grow our regional economy? Complete the Volunteer Attorney Questionnaire.
Want to support Gulf South Invents financially and ensure its continued coverage? Make a donation to The Ella Project.
Other Resources
Ella provides specialized legal assistance for artists and musicians, and there are many other legal service providers in our area that can address a multitude of other issues.
American Civil Liberties Union of Louisiana
P.O. Box 56157
New Orleans, LA 70156
Tel: (504) 522-0617
Areas of Law: Discrimination, Election and Voting, Freedom Speech, Freedom of Religion, Immigration Rights, LGBT Rights, Privacy, Police Practices, Jail and Prison Conditions, and other issues of fair treatment by government
Pro Bono Project
615 Baronne St.
Suite 203
New Orleans, LA 70113
Tel: (504) 581-4043
Areas of Law: Civil, Employment, Housing, Consumer, Family, Probate
Louisiana Civil Justice Center (LCJC)
601 St. Charles Ave.
New Orleans LA, 70130
504-355-0970, 800-310-7029
Areas of Law: Consumer, Child Custody, Dissolution of Marriage, Domestic Violence, Education, Elder Law, Employment, Health, Housing, Individual Rights, Juvenile, Public Benefits, Termination of Parental Rights
Southeast Louisiana Legal Services
1340 Poydras St, Ste 600
New Orleans, LA 70112
Tel: (877) 521-6242
Areas of Law: Civil, Consumer, Employment, Domestic Violence, Family, Housing, Public Benefits, Tax
“The Ella Project are always eager to share ideas, resources and strategies in pursuit of support for their clients. They are constantly engaging with other arts leader across the world to push for creative solutions and effective strategies. Other artists can benefit from world class representation and support without paying world class fees. Ella is completely dedicated to serving and supporting the New Orleans cultural community - I hope everyone is able to take advantage of their unique resources.”
“Working with The Ella Project, I’m confident that I have a lawyer who truly cares about my work and about me as an artist. The Ella Project knows what they are doing, and I know they have my back.” — Robin Barnes