Fort Mason Center For Arts & Culture resident organization California Lawyers For The Arts (CLA) offers online Zoom seminars and phone consultations and has compiled an extensive digital resource guide for the arts community. Recently, CLA added a comprehensive directory of trusted resources for 2025 Southern California wildfire relief, including ways to access assistance, support recovery efforts, and contribute to those in need (access the link on the CLA home page).

“From Passion To Profit: Choosing The Right Business Structure For Your Creative Venture” happens on Zoom on Wednesday, May 28, 2025, 12:00 p.m. to 1:15 p.m. Attorney and business law strategist David Lizerbram provides an overview of different types of business structures (Sole Proprietorship, LLC, S-Corp, C-Corp, etc.), what they mean, and steps for establishing and maintaining them. ($10 to $40) (Register in advance)

“A Filmmaker’s Guide To Film & Television Production Agreements” takes place on Zoom on Tuesday, June 17, 2025, 12:00 p.m. to 1:15 p.m. Entertainment attorney and producer Lee Rudnicki breaks down the essentials of film and TV production agreements. Rudnicki covers how to draft and review key contracts, avoid critical mistakes, protect work, secure rights, and prepare for successful sale or distribution. ($10 to $40) (Register in advance)

“A Practical Legal Guide For The Modern Literary Artist” occurs in-person at FMCAC, Building C, Room C-235 (near the CLA office) on Saturday, June 21, 2025, 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. This seminar guides writers through the essential legal and business aspects of a successful writing career, from understanding copyright, contracts, and the limits of First Amendment protections to exploring the challenges that AI presents. Through three dynamic panels, attendees learn to negotiate fair publishing agreements, navigate self-publishing platforms, protect intellectual property in light of an evolving technological landscape, and collaborate with confidence. ($50 to $150) (Register in advance)

CLA also has an active YouTube channel with digital archives of some seminars that can be viewed for free 24 hours per day on a daily basis. Access a selection of seminars from the “Relax With Tax For Artists & Creatives” series, as well as educational resources about bookkeeping, merchandising, intellectual property law, music production, publishing, and many more topics.