(0.5 General California MCLE)  For a spectacular dance performance, many elements have to come together - choreography, dancers, music, the set, costumes - and surprisingly a good deal of lawyering. Elena Paul of Alvin Ailey Dance Company discusses the legal issues involved in running a premiere dance company and the intellectual property rights in dance.

Elena Paul is the director of legal and business affairs for Alvin Ailey Dance Theater, a premier modern dance company based in New York. Prior to joining Alvin Ailey, she was the executive director for Volunteer Lawyers for the Arts where she represented clients on a pro bono basis, acting as general counsel and a legal advisor to arts and cultural organizations and individuals artists.