Founded in 1985, Maryland Lawyers for the Arts, Inc. is a nonprofit organization that provides lawyer referral services and pro bono legal assistance to income-eligible artists and arts organizations. In addition, MLA presents educational workshops and seminars that focus on the legal aspects of arts related issues such as copyright, contracts, and entity formation, including nonprofit, tax-exempt corporations. Maryland Lawyers for the Arts is committed to protecting the legal rights of the arts community and to providing legal assistance and education to artists and arts organizations in all creative disciplines.