January 2004 witnessed the creation of the Ella Project, an initiative made with the sole intent to offer dedicated legal pro bono assistance to deserving residents of New Orleans. Co-founders Ashlye Keaton and Gene Meneray set up the Ella Project mainly for moderate to low income artists, musicians, and grassroots non-profits in their vicinity. The initiative was created in partnership with the Arts Council of New Orleans, Tipitina’s Foundation, and Tulane Law School.
Over 2,000 clients have benefited from the Ella Project services since 2004. They’ve been featured in The New York Times, and on National Public Radio for their efforts. The Ella Project became a standalone non-profit organization in 2016, with a focus on arts business development, legal services, cultural advocacy, and policy engagement.
Weekly legal clinics became a part of their repertoire from 2016 as well, offering legal aid to residents of New Orleans, and other parts of Louisiana. The legal clinics are staffed every Friday by Co-Founder Ashlye Keaton and her team of Tulane Law Students. Practice areas covered at these legal clinics are copyright, trademark, licensing, contract creation and renew, LLC formation, and non-profit incorporation.
We believe in the importance of the culture of New Orleans and Louisiana, and we empower the creators to share their culture in a way that is just, equitable, and serves the artist, patron, and our diverse community.
Contact Information
For more information, contact Gene Meneray, the Co-Founder of the Ella Project.
The Ella Project
421 Frenchmen St, Suite 200
New Orleans, LA 70116
504-250-0429
www.EllaNola.org
