Washington Area Lawyers for the Arts began in 1983 as a unique collaboration of lawyers and artists to fulfill a mission to serve artists in need of legal knowledge and assistance. Since then, WALA has supported artistic expression and creative innovation serving the legal needs of the arts and cultural communities in Washington, DC, Maryland and Virginia.

The business of the arts is about more than just the creative spirit. Art also involves complicated legal issues pertaining to intellectual property, licensing, tax law, small business and non-profit incorporation, employment law, and the infinite possibilities of contract provisions. For 34 years WALA has provided education, advocacy, and volunteer legal services to DC-based artists and non-profit organizations through workshops, legal clinics, and pro bono legal referral services.