Legal Issues for Family History Writers
Writing about real people comes with risks most of us never think about until it's too late.
This high-level legal workshop is designed specifically for genealogy authors who publish family histories, memoirs, and narrative nonfiction. Attorney Elissa D. Hecker will walk us through the legal and ethical boundaries that arise when transforming real lives into written stories.
What we'll cover:
Defamation, invasion of privacy, and the right of publicity—including how these apply to both living and deceased individuals
Evaluating risk/reward ratios when deciding how much detail to include
How to handle sensitive or disputed family stories
Copyright ownership, fair use, and use of letters, photographs, interviews, and recorded conversations
The role of consent and releases
Publishing agreements, warranties, and how publishers assess legal risk
Best practices for incorporating personal perspectives while distinguishing fact, interpretation, and opinion
This is a conversational interview format—not a lecture. Elissa's approach educates without paralyzing us with fear, while making sure we're not publishing blindly either.
About Elissa D. Hecker, Esq.
Elissa is a long-standing New York Super Lawyer, recognized as Top Attorney – New York Metro Area's Outstanding Lawyer, and among The Best Lawyers in America (Copyright Law). She brings extensive experience in corporate, copyright, and trademark law across the entertainment and business fields. She is Chair of the Board of Directors of Dance/NYC, Past Chair of the Entertainment, Arts and Sports Law (EASL) Section of the New York State Bar Association, Editor of the EASL Journal and EASL Blog, and a frequent author, lecturer, and panelist on legal issues in creative work.