Emma Frean is the Associate Director of Legal Services at VLA. In this role, she advises artists and arts organizations on issues related to contracts, intellectual property, and litigation pending in both federal and state courts. In addition, Emma oversees all aspects of client intake and case placement with pro bono counsel. Emma is a frequent speaker on entertainment-related legal issues and she has presented at Columbia University, Cornell Law School, Nitehawk Shorts Festival, TIDE Film Festival, and the “Made in New York” Post Production Training Program run through the New York City Mayor’s Office of Media and Entertainment. She is also the clinical supervisor for law students enrolled in the Columbia Law School Arts & Entertainment Law Externship and the Cardozo School of Law Visual & Performing Arts Clinic.

Prior to joining VLA, Emma worked in a national litigation practice in Sydney, Australia. She received her Juris Doctor and Bachelor of Arts degrees from the University of Sydney, and she was awarded First Class Honors for her undergraduate thesis on figurative painting in East Germany. Before relocating to New York, Emma performed Carmina Burana with the Sydney Philharmonia Choirs at the Sydney Opera House.

Amy Lehman graduated from University of Michigan Law School, where she served as president of the Entertainment, Media and Arts Law Students Association.

Prior to joining Volunteer Lawyers for the Arts, Amy practiced in New York as a commercial litigator, and advised clients in non-profit corporate compliance. She is a trained mediator, running VLA’s MediateArt program, and is now on the panel of mediators assigned to resolve cases for the Southern District of New York.
Amy is a member of the Entertainment Law Committee of the New York City Bar Association and was selected to Super Lawyers Rising Stars 2014, 2016, 2017 and New York Metro Super Lawyers 2018-2022.