VLA Staff
James F. Grace, Esq., Co-Director of the Arts & Business Council of Greater Boston (A&BC) and the Volunteer Lawyers for the Arts of Mass (VLA).
249 A Street, Studio 14
Boston, MA 02210
Tel: 617.350.7600
TTY: 617.350.7600
Fax: 617.350.7610
jim@artsandbusinesscouncil.org
Jim is the Co-Director of the A&BC and VLA. Prior to joining the A&BC, he was the Executive Director of the VLA of Massachusetts (VLA) from 1998 until 2008. Jim has experience working with artists and arts organizations in the areas of publishing law, public art, copyright, trademark, nonprofit incorporation and mergers, negotiation training, and artist live/work and nonprofit board issues. Jim was an adjunct professor for Boston University’s Masters in Arts Administration Program for over five years where he co-taught a course on Legal Issues in Arts Administration. In addition, Jim is a working author, book editor, and publishing attorney. He is the co-author of best selling The Worst Case Scenario Handbook: Golf. To date he has been involved in the publication of over eight books.
Sheri S. Mason, Esq., Director of Legal Services, Volunteer Lawyers for the Arts of Mass. (VLA).
249 A Street, Studio 14
Boston, MA 02210
Tel: 617.350.7600
TTY: 617.350.7600
Fax: 617.350.7610
sheri@artsandbusinesscouncil.org
Sheri Mason joined the VLA as Director of Legal Services in September 2007. In her role, Sheri works with artists and arts organizations to locate volunteer attorneys to assist them with their legal needs. She also develops and implements various legal educational training throughout the year. Sheri has worked with artists and arts organizations in various areas of law including copyright, trademark, assignments and licensing agreements, publishing law, nonprofit incorporation and estate planning. Sheri received her J.D. from Suffolk Law School in 2007 with a Concentration in Intellectual Property, with distinction. She received her B.A., magna cum laude, from the University of Rhode Island. She is a tutor with LawTutors, LLC where she tutors students for the Massachusetts or New York bar exam, and is the editor of the bar exam essay preparation book, What Not to Write: New York.
Daniel B. Crocker, Esq., Volunteer Attorney, Volunteer Lawyers for the Arts of Massachusetts (VLA)
249 A Street, Studio 14
Boston, MA 02210
Tel: 617.350.7600
TTY: 617.350.7600
Fax: 617.350.7610
dan@artsandbusinesscouncil.org
Dan Crocker joined the VLA team in November 2009. In his role, he represents and consults with artists and arts organizations on their legal needs, such as drafting and reviewing contracts and licensing agreements, filing copyright and trademark registrations, incorporating nonprofits, administering estates, resolving tax matters, and forming business entities. He is involved with strategic development on the organizational level, including website redesign, fundraiser planning, and community outreach. Dan is licensed in Massachusetts and Louisiana, and his first two years of practicing law were spent as a litigation attorney in Baton Rouge. He received a J.D. and a B.S. in General Business from Louisiana State University (Geaux Tigers!) in 2006 and 2003, respectively.
The VLA is also supported by a Board of Trustees who are dedicated to preserving arts in Massachusetts.
The VLA offers a number of volunteer Internship Opportunities to students enrolled in undergraduate, post graduate and legal educational programs.
