Texas Lawyers and Accountants for the Arts (TALA) Relocates to Austin with New Board

Texas Accountants and Lawyers for the Arts (TALA)—an organization that aims to help meet the legal and accounting needs of artists and arts-nonprofits—announces the transition of operations to a new headquarters in Austin and a new Austin-based board of directors.
Professional legal services to TALA members will continue uninterrupted, and TALA will continue to provide educational programs and legal clinics in Houston, Dallas, and other parts of the state, as well as a pool of volunteer lawyers and accountants to assist qualifying artists and arts organizations throughout Texas.
The former headquarters in Houston is expected to close in the next few months, though the move to Austin was effective as of August 8, 2013. TALA has had an Austin staff and office since April 2012 and will expand its staff and office space. No changes are anticipated to TALA’s email addresses or its toll-free number (800-526-8252).The former headquarters in Houston is expected to close in the next few months, though the move to Austin was effective as of August 8, 2013. TALA has had an Austin staff and office since April 2012 and will expand its staff and office space. No changes are anticipated to TALA’s email addresses or its toll-free number (800-526-8252).
The transition to Austin reflects the vision of former and current board members to ensure TALA keeps up with changes in the non-profit world, with an emphasis on technology, fundraising, volunteerism, and community outreach. “One immediate benefit of the move is the proximity to related statewide organizations also based in Austin,” says TALA Board President Blair Dancy. “They include the Texas Music Office, the Texas Film Commission, the Texas Commission on the Arts, and the State Bar of Texas, among others.”
The change in makeup of TALA’s new board also reflects this vision. The new board consists of only nine members, all energetic, arts loving, Austin-based lawyers, with a common focus on rethinking how TALA delivers services to Texas artists.
“One key aspect to this transition is tapping into additional resources,” says TALA Vice President Erik Metzger, in-house counsel for Intel Corporation, who splits time between California and Austin. “California Lawyers for the Arts has agreed to provide consulting services to TALA through this transition, using its own recently updated referral system as a model. That could make a huge difference in efficiencies.”
Board members include Geoffrey Brow (AT&T), Ashley Callahan (Norton Rose Fulbright & Jaworski), Rahul Engineer (Intel), Emilio Nicolas (Jackson Walker), Brooks Rice (Law Offices of Brooks Rice), Elizabeth Rogers (Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts), and Jamie Schue (ERCOT). Blair Dancy (Van Osselaer & Buchanan) and Erik Metzger (Intel) complete the current board.
TALA’s pro bono legal and accounting services are offered to artists and arts non-profits in all creative disciplines, including visual arts, music, theater, dance, film, gaming, and writing.
Over 600 attorneys and accountants throughout the state of Texas volunteer their time each year assisting in routine legal and accounting matters that might otherwise remain unresolved and unrepresented.
More About TALA: TALA was formed in 1979 to help meet the legal and accounting needs of artists and arts nonprofits across the State of Texas. TALA volunteers throughout the state handle more than 350 matters per year. This amounts to more than six hundred thousand dollars annually in donated services to the arts and cultural community. TALA’s services include legal and accounting assistance, nonprofit incorporation, dispute resolution services, and educational programs and publications for artists and arts-nonprofits to help apply legal and accounting concepts for their benefit. Membership and donor dollars provide for staff, office facilities, and insurance necessary to coordinate and support TALA volunteers.

September 16, 2013