Attorneys that get your vision.

Artists | Creatives | Entrepreneurs | Small Businesses

Square logo with the letters 'BBL' in black, surrounded by a thin black border and multi-colored guidelines in primary-color shades of red, green, blue, and yellow. It's tone is approachable, like that of a toy building block, but also professional.

At Building Block Legal, we work with “ACES” - Artists, Creatives, Entrepreneurs, and Small Businesses. We provide legal services over the full spectrum of business and intellectual property needs from entity formation and governance management to contract drafting and review, trademark registration, copyright counseling and registration, and IP portfolio management.

We believe our mission is to help you build your dreams, not just solve legal problems.

Not sure if it’s a fit? We work with all sorts of business owners, so don’t hesitate to reach out!

Arts & Entrepreneurship Attorneys

  • Are you starting a new venture and don’t know where to begin?

  • Do you worry about protecting your creative control and intellectual property?

  • Are struggles with finding funding stopping you from pursuing your passion?

  • Do you need license agreements for complex arrangements?

You can fix these problems by finding the right attorney to help you. Welcome to the website of Building Block Legal, PLLC. We are a boutique law firm based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, providing specialized arts and entrepreneurship support nationwide. No matter where you are – whether inside the U.S. or even outside – we can help.

If you want to know what the law says, you can just do a simple search on Google. But if you are looking for lawyers who understand not just the law, but the nuances of the creative industry and the demands of running your own show, then you have come to the right place. We’re not afraid to think outside the box, use the cutting-edge of legal developments, and contact our networks to help you design a business structure which supports your craft.

We believe our job isn’t just to have you sign contracts or follow the “standard path.” Our job is to take the time to talk to you, understand your unique vision, explain the law clearly and without jargon, so that you can make informed decisions about the best path for you. We’ll never charge you for emails, phone calls, or questions because we want to work with you along every step of your journey.

Our Practice Areas

  • Because many IP laws are governed by federal statutes, including copyright and federal trademark law , we are able to advise clients on these matters located anywhere in the United States. For matters that involve state-specific IP issues, we coordinate with local counsel as needed.

    Copyrights

    Copyright law protects original creative works like music, writing, visual art, photography, video, software, and designs. We help clients register their copyrights, respond to infringement, draft usage agreements, and understand what rights they hold in the work they create. If you make things, copyright is likely your most valuable legal protection.

    Trademarks

    A trademark protects your brand: your name, logo, slogan, or anything else that tells the world who you are. We help clients choose strong marks, file trademark applications, monitor for conflicts, and enforce their rights when someone else uses a mark that's too close to theirs.

    Trade Secrets

    Trade secrets are the valuable information you keep private: recipes, client lists, business methods, formulas, or processes that give you a competitive edge. We help clients identify what qualifies as a trade secret, put protections in place (like NDAs and internal policies), and take action if a secret is misused or disclosed.

    Licensing

    Licensing is how you let someone else use your intellectual property on your terms. We draft and negotiate license agreements for music, art, software, content, brand partnerships, and more. Whether you're licensing your own work out or licensing someone else's work in, we make sure the deal reflects what you actually agreed to.

    Moral Rights

    Moral rights protect the personal connection between a creator and their work. In the U.S., this applies most directly to visual artists under the Visual Artists Rights Act (VARA). We advise artists on their rights to attribution and integrity, and help resolve disputes when work is altered, destroyed, or misattributed.

  • Contracts

    Contracts are the backbone of nearly every business relationship: client agreements, vendor deals, partnerships, freelance arrangements, commissions, and more. We draft, review, and negotiate contracts that protect our clients' interests and clearly define what each side has agreed to do. If it's a deal, it should be in writing, and it should be clear.

    Entity Formation

    Choosing the right business structure (LLC, corporation, nonprofit, cooperative, or something else) affects your taxes, your liability, and how you run your operation. We help clients pick the right entity type, file the paperwork, and set up the internal documents (like operating agreements and bylaws) so the business is built on solid ground from day one.

    Corporate Governance

    Once your business is formed, it needs to be run properly. Corporate governance covers the rules and structures that keep a business organized and legally compliant: meeting minutes, board resolutions, member votes, officer roles, and annual filings. We help clients set up and maintain these systems so they stay in good standing and avoid surprises.

    Business Acquisitions

    Buying or selling a business is one of the most complex transactions a business owner will face. We advise clients through the process, including due diligence, deal structure, asset vs. equity considerations, and closing documents. Whether you're acquiring a competitor, merging with a partner, or selling what you've built, we help you understand what you're getting into.

    General Business Counsel

    Not every legal question fits neatly into a category. Sometimes you just need a lawyer who understands your business and can help you think through a problem. We serve as outside general counsel for small businesses and solo operators who need ongoing legal guidance without the overhead of a full-time in-house attorney.

    Notary Services

    Many business transactions require notarized documents: entity filings, real estate documents, affidavits, powers of attorney, and certified copies, to name a few. We offer notary services in-house so clients can get documents notarized as part of the same appointment where they're reviewed or drafted, without an extra trip to a separate provider.

  • Hiring and Worker Classification

    Getting the worker relationship right from the start matters. We help clients draft offer letters, employment agreements, and independent contractor agreements, and we advise on the difference between employees and independent contractors, a distinction that carries real tax and liability consequences if you get it wrong.

    Workplace Policies and Compliance

    As your team grows, so do your legal obligations. We help clients create employee handbooks, workplace policies, and compliance procedures that meet federal and state requirements, covering areas like anti-discrimination, wage and hour rules, and workplace safety.

    Separation and Termination

    Ending a work relationship, whether voluntary or not, involves legal risk. We help clients handle terminations, draft separation agreements, and navigate issues like non-compete clauses, severance terms, and final pay requirements.

  • Startup Formation and Early-Stage Counsel

    Starting a new venture means making a series of legal decisions quickly, often without much budget. We help founders choose an entity structure, divide equity among co-founders, protect their IP from day one, and set up the legal foundation they'll need as they grow.

    Founder Agreements

    When two or more people start a business together, a clear written agreement is not optional. We draft co-founder agreements, operating agreements, and shareholder agreements that address ownership splits, roles, decision-making, and what happens if someone leaves.

    Investment and Fundraising

    Raising money brings a new layer of legal complexity, whether it's a friends-and-family round, an angel investment, or a venture capital deal. We advise on term sheets, SAFEs, convertible notes, and equity financing, and help clients understand securities regulations so they raise capital the right way.

    Securities Compliance

    Selling ownership in a business (equity, membership interests, investment contracts) is regulated by federal and state securities laws. We help clients understand when these rules apply, structure offerings that comply with available exemptions, and prepare the required disclosures.

  • Artist Agreements

    Creative work involves a unique set of legal relationships: commissions, gallery representation, exhibition agreements, consignment terms, collaboration splits, and more. We draft and negotiate agreements tailored to how artists actually work, not borrowed from a generic business template.

    Entertainment and Performance Contracts

    For musicians, performers, and live entertainers, the deal terms matter as much as the gig. We negotiate performance agreements, appearance contracts, booking terms, and venue deals, making sure our clients are fairly paid and properly protected.

    Content Creator and Influencer Agreements

    Brand deals, sponsorship contracts, platform terms, content licensing, and collaboration agreements all come with legal fine print that can affect your rights and your income. We help content creators and influencers understand and negotiate these deals so they keep control of their work and get paid what they're worth.

    Publishing and Distribution

    Whether you're releasing music, publishing a book, distributing a film, or selling art prints, the legal terms of how your work reaches an audience affect your rights and your revenue. We advise on publishing agreements, distribution deals, royalty structures, and rights retention.

  • Nonprofit Formation

    Starting a nonprofit means more than filing for 501(c)(3) status. We help clients choose the right nonprofit structure, draft articles of incorporation, and prepare the federal and state applications needed to gain tax-exempt status. We also make sure the organization's founding documents (bylaws, conflict-of-interest policies, and organizational resolutions) are in place from the start.

    Nonprofit Governance

    Running a nonprofit comes with its own set of legal rules. Boards must meet, vote, and document decisions properly. Officers have fiduciary duties to the organization. We help nonprofits set up and maintain sound governance practices, including board policies, meeting procedures, officer roles, and record-keeping systems that keep the organization compliant and accountable.

    Nonprofit Compliance and Reporting

    Tax-exempt status comes with ongoing obligations. Nonprofits must file annual returns (like Form 990), follow state charitable solicitation rules, and meet specific requirements around fundraising, donor restrictions, and use of funds. We help clients understand these obligations and stay on top of them so they can focus on their mission instead of worrying about paperwork.

    Fundraising and Donor Agreements

    Raising money for a nonprofit brings legal questions that differ from for-profit fundraising. Grant agreements, donor-restricted gifts, sponsorship deals, and crowdfunding campaigns all come with terms that affect how funds can be used. We help nonprofits structure their fundraising efforts and draft agreements that protect both the organization and its donors.

    Fiscal Sponsorship

    Not every project needs its own 501(c)(3). Fiscal sponsorship lets an existing nonprofit serve as the legal and financial home for a project or group that hasn't yet formed its own entity, or doesn't need to. We advise both sponsors and sponsored projects on how to set up these arrangements properly, including the sponsorship agreement, fund management, and reporting responsibilities.

    Nonprofit Conversions and Restructuring

    Sometimes an organization outgrows its original structure, or a for-profit venture realizes it belongs in the nonprofit world (or vice versa). We advise on conversions between entity types, mergers between nonprofit organizations, and restructuring efforts that involve changes to mission, governance, or tax-exempt status.

  • Non-Disclosure and Confidentiality Agreements

    NDAs are one of the most common legal tools in business, and one of the most commonly misunderstood. We draft and review non-disclosure and confidentiality agreements for a range of situations: business negotiations, employee onboarding, creative collaborations, and vendor relationships. A well-written NDA sets clear expectations about what's private and what happens if that trust is broken.

    Contract Negotiation

    Not every deal arrives with fair terms. We help clients review, mark up, and negotiate contracts before they sign, whether it's a brand partnership, a vendor agreement, a lease, or a licensing deal. Our goal is to make sure you understand what you're agreeing to and that the terms reflect your actual position, not just the other side's first offer.

    Demand Letters

    When someone owes you money, breaches a contract, or infringes on your rights, a well-crafted demand letter is often the most effective first step. We draft demand letters that clearly state the issue, cite the legal basis, and set a deadline for response. In many cases, a strong letter resolves the problem without the need for litigation.

    Dispute Resolution

    When a conflict goes beyond a letter, you need a plan. We help clients assess their position, understand their options, and choose the right path forward, whether that's direct negotiation, mediation, arbitration, or referral to litigation counsel. Our focus is on finding the most practical and cost-effective resolution for the situation.

  • Grant Agreements

    Receiving a grant is exciting, but the grant agreement itself is a legal document with real obligations. Grant terms can restrict how funds are used, require specific reporting, impose deadlines, and affect ownership of work created with grant money. We review and negotiate grant agreements to make sure you understand what you're committing to before you accept the funds.

    Artist Residency Agreements

    Residency programs vary widely in what they offer and what they expect in return. Terms around housing, studio access, stipends, IP ownership of work created during the residency, exhibition commitments, and post-residency obligations are all negotiable and all worth reading carefully. We review residency agreements and advise artists on their rights before, during, and after the program.

    Government Funding Compliance

    State and federal arts funding, including grants from the NEA, state arts councils, and municipal programs, comes with compliance requirements that can trip up even experienced organizations. We advise on reporting obligations, eligible use of funds, documentation standards, and what to do if plans change after the money has been awarded.

    Foundation and Private Grant Compliance

    Private foundations and corporate funders often have their own rules around fund usage, branding requirements, progress reports, and audit rights. These terms can be just as detailed as government grants, but less standardized. We help clients review foundation grant agreements and stay compliant with funder expectations throughout the grant period.

    Grant Writing

    Strong grant applications require strong writing, a clear project narrative, a realistic budget, and an understanding of what funders are actually looking for. As your attorneys, we already know your story, your goals, your financials, and your legal structure. That puts us in a unique position to write grant applications that are accurate, compelling, and consistent with how your organization actually operates.

    We offer grant writing as a standalone service or as part of an ongoing general counsel relationship. Our services include full application drafting, application review and editing, budget development, funder research and strategy, and post-award compliance support.

Our Service Areas

  • Contract Drafting & Review

  • Business Formation

  • Funding & Equity Agreements

  • Copyright Registration

  • Sale & Negotiation Support

  • Benefit Corporations

  • Artist Corporations

  • Licensing & Royalty Agreements

  • Intellectual Property (IP) Protection

  • Employment & Independent Contractor Agreements

  • Trademark Registration

  • Cease-and-Desist Letters & Enforcement

  • Website Policies

  • Fractional General Counsel

  • Notary Services

Let’s Work Together