LEGAL RESOURCES
Seeking legal support can be an uncertain process for sex workers. BAWS wants to make that process safer and easier for you. We created a legal resource list comprised of recommendations by sex workers, allies, and sex worker-friendly organizations. These resources fall into two categories: groups/orgs and individual attorneys, and are listed in no particular order.
If you would like to add a legal resource, or share your experience, positive or negative, when working with one of these recommendations, please contact bawshelp@gmail.com so we can maintain a safe and competent list.
BAY AREA & CALIFORNIA GROUPS/ORGANIZATIONS:
SWOP Behind Bars
Support and resources for currently incarcerated, formerly incarcerated, or recently arrested Sex Workers.
Website: https://www.swopbehindbars.org
Support Line: 1-877-776-2004
Beyond Binary Legal
Legal support for the people who identify outside of the gender binary.
Email: hello@beyondbinarylegal.org
Instagram: @beyondbinarylegal
Law for Black Lives
Network of Lawyers and Legal Advocates for the protection and advancement of Black Liberation.
Website: http://www.law4blacklives.org
Pride Legal: (Website currently under maintenance until relaunch)
Prostitution, Sex Work Defense, LGBTQIA+ focused, Free Initial Attorney Consultation. (
Website: https://pridelegal.com/lgbt-prostitution-defense-attorneys/
Transgender Gender-Variant Intersex Justice Project
Provides legal support and advocacy to currently and formerly incarcerated TGI people within the Bay Area
Website: http://www.tgijp.org
Transgender Law Center
Provides legal support to transgender and gender nonconforming people.
Website: https://transgenderlawcenter.org/
HelpLine and Resources: https://transgenderlawcenter.org/resources#helpdesk
Lamano Law
Criminal defense, Charges of a Sex Crime, Assault, Domestic Violence
Women Run.
Website: https://www.lamanolaw.com/about-us/
Siegal, Yee, Brunner & Mehta
(Bay Area)
Race & National Origin Discrimination, Gender Discrimination & Sexual Harassment, Civil Rights, Union Representation, Employment.
Website: http://siegalyee.com
Bay area and CA Individual attorneys:
Alexis Beach
(Bay Area)
Family Law, Tenants Law
Website: https://www.sfbla.com
Alex Binsfeld
(Bay Area)
Trans/Non-Binary Legal Advocacy
Email: alex@tgijp.org
Website: https://www.beyondbinarylegal.org/our-board
Amy Bond
(Bay Area)
Contract & Business Law. Help with Family Law & Restraining Orders
Email: amysunshine007@gmail.com
DM on instagram: @amysunshine007
Michael W. Fattorosi
(Los Ángeles)
Trademark, Copyright, Contracts, Model Releases, Producing Content in “Grey” States, Adult Industry Legal Consulting Courses.
Website: https://adultbizlaw.com/services/
Stephan Ferris
(Bay Area)
Entertainment, Copyright & Trademark, Contracts, Employment, Cannabis
Website: http://stephanferrislaw.com
Michael Flynn
(Bay Area)
Employment, Immigration
Spanish fluency
Website: https://flo-law.com
Hasmik Geghamyan
(Bay Area)
Civil rights, Housing, Employment, Legal Services for Cooperatives, Non-Profit and Social Enterprise
Website: http://geghamyanlawoffice.weebly.com/services.html
Allan Gelbard
(Los Angeles Area)
First Amendment, Media Law, Intellectual Property, Entertainment Law and Civil Litigation in Federal and California Court.
Website: http://gelbardlaw.com/index.html
Rick Horowitz
(Central California)
Criminal Defense
Website: https://rhdefense.com
Email: rick@rhdefense.com
Aliya Karmali
(Bay Area)
Immigration
Website: https://www.aliyakarmalilaw.com/contact.html
Rachel Lederman
(Bay Area)
Victims of Police Misconduct, Workers who have been discriminated against, sexually harassed, or retaliated against; Wrongful Evictions
Website: https://www.sfbla.com/about/rachel-lederman/
Gabriella Lopez
(Bay Area)
Immigration, Criminal Defense
Website: https://oaklaw.org/thecommunitylawoffice/
Jen Orthwein
(Bay Area)
Employment, Civil Rights, Discrimination,
Trans/Non-Binary/Intersex Rights Advocacy
Website: https://www.medinaorthwein.com/jennifer-orthwein
Seth Polansky
IP, Entertainment and Art Law, Contracts, Wills and Trusts, 2257 compliance
Website: http://www.sethpolanskylaw.com
Leah Chen Price
(Bay Area)
Trafficking, Immigration
Website: https://www.pangealegal.org/our-work#empower
Braz Shabaz
(Bay Area)
Housing, Tenant Rights, Information and referrals for Housing Rights.
Email: b.shabrell@gmail.com
Ary Smith
(East Bay)
Housing law (advice and referral only)
Website: arysmith@berkeley.edu
Gil Sperlein
(Bay Area)
First amendment, Entertainment Law, Contracts and Licensing, Copyright, Trademark Law
Website: https://sperleinlaw.com/#/services
Karen Tynan
(East Bay)
Media & Entertainment Law, Contracts, Business Formation, Distribution, Licensing, Negotiation, Regulatory Compliance
Website: https://karentynanattorney.com
OUT OF STATE:
Dayvid Figler
(Nevada)
Criminal Defense, Criminal Justice Reform
Website: https://www.dayvidfigler.com
C.A. Goldberg
(New York)
Revenge Porn, Sexual Harassment, Stalking online & offline, Internet Privacy, Blackmail, Extortion
Website: https://www.cagoldberglaw.com
Maxine Lynn
(Albany, NY)
Trademarks and copyrights for creative entertainment. Issues relating to FOSTA, GDPR, CCPA, domain name issues, security and privacy law.
Website: http://www.albanypatent.com
Austin Law Group
(Texas)
Civil Rights, Discrimination, Employment, Trademark & Copyright, Adult Entertainment
Website: https://www.austinlawgroup.com
OTHER SUPPORT:
Carmen White: MEDIATION
(Bay Area)
Family, Housing, Employment
Website: https://www.metta-mediation.com/about
M.E.N.D. Family Court On Twitter:
(Online Resource)
Emotional Support for Sex Worker Parents & Moms in Family Law Situations.
Tax Domme - CPA
A nation-wide and international tax preparer with a specialty in the Arts & Adult Entertainment Industry
Website: https://www.taxdomme.com
The Dancers Resource App & IG
An app designed to assist dancers to find out information about clubs, including: reading and writing reviews, info on pay/house fees/auditions/management, and view safety guides all available on the free tier.
Download on your phone through Android or Apple App Store.
Instagram