The Ella Project has been named Program of the Year by the Louisiana State Bar Association Young Lawyers Division, recognizing the nonprofit’s work providing legal services to artists and cultural workers across Louisiana and the Gulf Coast.

Founded to address the gap in affordable legal support for creatives, The Ella Project partners with Tulane University Law School students to deliver pro bono assistance to musicians, artists, grassroots nonprofits and inventors. Since 2016, more than 300 law students have participated in the program, gaining hands-on experience while helping ensure that creative professionals have access to legal resources to protect their work and livelihoods.

The award highlights the growing role of legal advocacy in sustaining Louisiana’s cultural economy, particularly for independent artists navigating contracts, intellectual property, and business development.

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 individuals seeking assistance, click here.