Case List

Landlord-Tenant: LLC: Photography

25-0995 Client is an LLC that rents a space as a gallery, school, and gathering space for visual journalism. Due to nearby construction and flooding, the space is no longer suitable for any of these purposes. Client’s land-lord has been unresponsive to these issues. Client needs assistance terminating the lease agreement and evaluating compensation for losses.

Disputes, Film/TV

25-0985 Client is an actor. Client worked on a film. After the filmmaker struggled to pay the labor involved, the relationship between filmmaker and Client soured, leading to years of targeted online posts and emails. Filmmaker has now brought civil case and Client needs advice and representation in upcoming hearings.

Nonprofit: Formation/Maintenance: Architecture

25-0975 Client is an architecture and design NFP. Client needs help obtaining 501(c)(3) status.

Contracts: Licensing: Film/TV

25-0963 Client is filmmaker. Client is developing a short film and needs assistance obtaining the proper permissions and drafting an operating agreement related to the film.

Not for Profit Advice

25-0962 Client is a theater NFP. Client is in the process of updating our bylaws, rebranding, and searching for a new performance space. Client needs legal assistance with contracts and agreements to support rebrand and relocation.

Contracts, Disputes

25-0961 Client is a photographer and videographer. Client entered into agreement with artist to direct and film a music video. Client needs assistance enforcing contractually protected crediting rights.

Employment, Disputes

25-0960 Client is a musician. Client’s contract for the following year was rescinded by her employer after she complained that her supervisor spoke to her inappropriately. Client is seeking assistance in negotiating the severance agreement, and and evaluating claim for lost wages as she is unable to find comparable employment.

Disputes; Landlord-Tenant

25-0959 Client is an actor, director, producer, and writer. Client is seeking representation in a small claims court for a landlord-tenant dispute regarding unpaid rent and an ongoing mold issue.

Landlord-Tenant: Nonprofit Advice: Arts Education

25-0956 Client is a NFP arts and culture museum. Client is seeking assistance terminating a lease agreement.

Trademark Infringement, Trademark Protection

25-0955 Client is a music and comedy duo. Client recently discovered that a book has been published using the same name as Client. Client is seeking to stop the author and publisher from using this name.

Estate Planning: IP Valuation: Literature

25-0954 Client’s mother passed away leaving catalogue of published novels. Client needs help with IP valuation and setting up arrangements for the estate to receive royalty payments going forward.

Not for Profit Advice

25-0953 Client is a NFP arts and cultural center. Client is seeking assistance in obtaining 501(c)(3) status.

Trademark Registration: Literary

25-0946 Client is a production company. Client needs help registering the name of the business as a trademark.

Copyright Registration: Music

25-0943 Client is the mother of a deceased musician. Client is seeking assistance registering copyright protection for late son’s music catalogue.

Estate Planning: Memorial Fund: Visual Art

25-0929 Client set up a memorial fund for deceased brother’s estate, which includes collection of brother’s artwork. The fund was then registered as an NFP. Client seeks legal advice on probate process, sale of artwork, and maintaining the established NFP/memorial fund.

Employment: General Policies: Visual Art

25-0928 Client is an artist and educator. Client had job for many years as teacher, but was placed on a do not hire list. Client needs legal assistance in evaluating employment discrimination claim regarding placement on do not hire list as well as rejecting Clients formal request to be removed from this list.

Estate Planning: Literature

25-0923 Client is a published author and playwright. Client needs assistance in setting up a trust and modifying a pre-existing will.

Contract Review: Employment Agreement: Music

25-0920 Client is a musician/performer. Client worked with an entertainment company as an independent contractor. Client needs help evaluating whether the degree of control and nature of the work relationship would classify Client as employee and if so, Client needs help enforcing employee rights.

Dispute: Records Request: NFP

25-0902 Client is a NFP production company. Client bought an LLC, listing a board member on the founding documents. This board member is no longer on NFP board, and has subsequently brought civil action demanding financial records for the LLC. Client has produced records in response to this request and needs representation for the completion of the proceedings.

Dispute: Copyright Infringement: Visual Arts

25-0896 Client is a visual artist. Client had working relationship with art gallery. The owner of the gallery commissioned clothing with Client’s artwork printed on it without Client’s permission. Client needs help enforcing copyright protection.

Dispute: Publicity Rights: Literature

25-0895 Client is in film and television production. Client needs assistance asserting rights of privacy and publicity against an author whose character bears Client’s full name and other identifying features.

Copyright: Film/TV: Licensing

25-0893 Client is a film and television distribution LLC. Client needs assistance drafting agreements with independent filmmakers to facilitate film distribution on physical media.

Copyright Infringement: Film/TV

25-0891 Client is a screenwriter. Client needs an attorney to represent them in a mediation to obtain compensation as well as credit for a television show that was created using client’s copyrighted work.

Nonprofit: Formation/Maintenance: Art Education

25-0889 Client is an art education NFP. Client recently restructured and is looking for a legal review of the Board approved changes to Client’s bylaws.

Copyright Protection: Film/TV

25-0888 Client is a group of documentary filmmakers. Client needs evaluation of distribution rights in 2 films. For one film, the distribution company went bankrupt and its unclear if they sold distribution rights as part of liquidation, the film is still streaming on a major platform, but client is currently receiving no royalties. For the other film, client needs help evaluating whether distribution agreement has been fulfilled, as they would like to distribute the film elsewhere.

Damage to Property: Sculpture

25-0881 Client is a sculptor. Client had an agreement to display two sculptures with a local NFP as outdoor installations. During the period of display, both sculptures were severely damages. Client needs help contacting the NFP for appropriate insurance coverage as well as bringing the appropriate insurance claim.

Dispute: Breach of Contract: Film/TV

25-0875 Client is an independent film producer. Client entered into an agreement that spelled out specific distribution milestones. Client needs assistance evaluating and potentially litigating breach of contract claims for other party’s failure to meet agreed upon contract milestones.

Nonprofit: Formation/Maintenance: Music

25-0864 Client is an educational music NFP. Client received a sales tax exemption denial from IL Department of Revenue. Client needs assistance understanding why the exempt status was denied and how to go about obtaining tax exempt status.

Dispute: Copyright Infringment:

25-0854 Client is a poet and teacher who volunteered for an organization for many years. Client had no agreement in place with the organization when client created the works. Client now needs help enforcing copyright protection as the organization is using the client’s copyrighted works on their website and in their communications.

Employment: Harassment

25-0863 Client is a performing artist. Client recently left a service job after filing a complaint of harassment. Client would like assistance evaluating cause of action around harassment and retaliatory behavior.

Copyright Protection: Image/Video: Licensing

25-0834 Client is a visual artist. Client needs help understanding and registering works as part of a classroom learning game. Client also needs assistance with licensing agreements to display and sell other artists’ work.

Dispute: Breach of Contract: Documentary Film

25-0833 Client is a documentary filmmaker with an existing contract for distribution. Client would like assistance to evaluate a claim for breach of contract based on a lack of efforts to solicit the film, as well as distributor claims for improper costs not associated to client.

Dispute: Collection: Grant Funding

25-0830 Client is a performing arts education NFP, which has received state agency funding for several years. After an audit of client finances, client was informed of improper paperwork, resulting in placement on the stop payment list, and a determination that previously paid funds must be reimbursed. Client would like assistance to evaluate the ability to appeal this determination, and a possible cause of action for violation of the Grant Accountability and Transparency Act.

Nonprofit: Formation/Maintenance: Sculpture

25-0822 Client is a NFP Foundation which was formed to preserve the legacy of a well known deceased Chicago Sculptor, by establishment of a trust by the Sculptor during his life. Client believes it owns the copyright to sculptures based on this, but would like to evaluate the rights of the Sculptor’s heir(s) and the need to transfer any necessary rights.

Content Clearance: Music/ Literary

25-0820 Client is a Ukelele performer and instructor, and would like to self publish an instruction book. Client needs assistance to review the content of the book for third party copyright clearance issues, and if necessary to draft documents securing rights in third party copyrights, likenesses, and publishing.

Dispute: Breach of Contract / Copyright Infringement: Visual Art

25-0816 Client is an illustrator and graphic artist, and created works for use by an Illinois company under limited terms. Company did not acquire sufficient rights in these works but has continued to use them outside of the allowed scope. Client would like to evaluate a cause of action for breach of contract and/or copyright infringement.

Nonprofit: Formation/Maintenance: Fine Arts

25-0812 Client is fine arts society. Client lost 501(c)(3) status in 2020 and needs help getting reinstated and recovering non-profit status.

Dispute: Breach of Contract and Discrimination

25-0795 Client is a former student at a well known Chicago Arts Institution, and claims discrimination based on a disagreement with school administrators. Client was prohibited from in-person participation and presence on campus, and would like to evaluate the ability to take legal action based on these administrative actions.

Trademark Registration: Product Design

25-0760 Client is a video producer who created a novelty product, and would like assistance to evaluate the ability to register trademark in the product name. Client would also like help to draft an agreement with a product design professional and third party licenses for logos to be included on the product.

Dispute: Copyright Infringement: Film/ TV

25-0730 Client is a writer, director and producer who co-owns a film which was released in 2018. Client recently discovered that other co-owners of the film property have created a concept for a spin-off game show, without proper license or consent from Client. Client would like to evaluate a cause of action and/or send a demand letter.

Copyright Protection: Music / Education

25-0721 Client is a NFP which conducts a large scale battle of the bands and music festival each year. Client has developed a system to evaluate and judge musicians, as well as curriculum and other materials for establishing a long-running and reputable music competition. Client would like assistance to create a process to license their system to other organizations, for use in curriculum or to create similar events and to draft necessary license agreements.

Dispute: Breach of Contract: Visual Arts

25-0719 Client is a fine arts student, and was approached by two individuals at a gallery internship, to provide administrative services for a private art exhibition at a large public venue. Client performed all services, but was told that the individuals cannot afford to pay her because of financial issues. Client needs assistance to send a demand letter and evaluate further legal action.

Contract Review: Recording Contract: Music

25-0674 Client is a musician and teacher. Client is set to record and release an album. Client needs assistance reviewing and negotiating contracts with both a domestic as well as an international record label.

Dispute: Nonpayment: Film/Television

25-0652 Client is a theater company staffer and freelance television producer who worked as a production assistant for a reality show production company. Client worked several days without pay, and production company refuses to pay or respond to demands. Client would like assistance to evaluate legal action to recover compensation.

Probate: Musician

25-0632 Client is a teaching artist in California. After her mother passed away in Illinois, her estate is now administered through probate. Client has reason to believe that her siblings are trying to exclude certain assets from Client’s interests, and would like an attorney to represent her interests in an administration hearing.

Dispute: NFP Board Governance

25-0628 Client is a board director for a southern Illinois arts NFP. The board has been in conflict for decades, and there are competing claims by several board members regarding the board status and rights of certain individuals. Client has been served with petition for preliminary injunction, and would like local counsel in St. Clair county to appear in consultation with another LCA attorney who will advise about board governance questions.

Trademark Protection: Performance Art

25-0612 Client founded a performance art event and contest based on the Chicago leather community. Client partnered with another individual to organize a joint event, but the parties no longer wish to work together. Client would like to evaluate a cause of action and send a cease and desist letter to prevent the former partner from using client’s contest and event name.

Disputes: Employment Discrimination

25-0605 Client is a jazz vocalist and instructor. Client believes she has been the victim of racial discrimination in her workplace based on a contract renewal offer, and has filed a complaint with the EEOC. Client would like an attorney represent her in EEOC mediation which is scheduled to take place in July, 2025.

Dispute: Breach of Contract: Visual Arts

25-0578 Client is a design and visual arts company with a commercial lease for studio space in a multi-use artist community building. The lease required ninety days notice for termination, but landlord management company terminated client’s lease with two days notice, and then improperly revoked security access, depriving client of access to their leased property as well as equipment and personal property. Client needs immediate assistance to evaluate the ability to reinstate possession and if necessary bring action for breach of the lease.

Dispute: Real Estate: Visual Art

25-0554 Client is an artist and teacher. Several years ago, client was evicted from a condominium that she owns, based on an unpaid balance from the condominium association. Client does not believe that the eviction process was performed correctly, and has not been able to obtain current information from the management company in order to reinstate rights to the property. Client needs assistance to evaluate the ability to regain possession.

Disputes: Defamation

25-0007 Client is a local theater actor with several lead role credits. In a recent role, client developed a personal relationship with the co-star, and then the relationship ended poorly. The co-star and another actor have spread rumors among the theater community and one company in particular, alleging inappropriate behavior and improper stage protocols. These rumors have directly lead to lost work and relationships. Client would like assistance to evaluate a cause of action and draft a demand letter.

Dispute: Copyright Infringement: Literature

24-1239 Client is an author with several successful titles. Client recently discovered that many titles have been uploaded to digital book rental and archiving services, which are collecting fees and donations for access to Client books, with no consent or royalty streams. Large publishers have been successful in suing these companies for similar acts. Client would like to evaluate a cause of action to recover lost revenue from these sources.

Dispute: Copyright Infringement, Film

24-1233 Client is a television and film producer who produced 28 interviews of zoo and aquarium professionals over the course of many years. She initially gave permission to another individual to use the interviews, but later rescinded that permission and now the other individual refuses to remove videos from a website and Youtube. Client would like to either negotiate a license fee, or send a cease and desist letter and evaluate a cause of action.

Dispute: Trademark Infringement

24-1168 Client NFP publishes the New Art Examiner. Client needs assistance to enforce a trademark use agreement against a foreign publisher using their marks, as well as help to recover domain control from a former board member.

Dispute: Breach of Contract: Visual Arts

24-1020 Client is a nonprofit foundation which hired a third party to produce video and other marketing materials. Client paid freelancer, but has not received materials, including domain control and a co-produced video, and needs assistance to draft a demand letter and evaluate further legal action.

Dispute: Reimbursement: Visual Art

24-0983 Visual Artist received a commission from a major municipality to install a visual art piece in a public facility. Due to contractor delays, the project is significantly overbudget and the Visual Artist has been forced to cover some of these overages herself. The municipality is withholding the final payment. Previous LCA counsel has been negotiating a revision to the original agreement with the municipality and sent a demand letter for payment which has not yet received a response. Counsel expects this matter to require litigation and referred the matter back to LCA. Visual Artist needs counsel to recover the additional expenses or other form of relief.

Dispute: Collection: Visual Arts

24-0884 Visual artist was the victim of a scam perpetrated by a commercial landlord. Previous LCA counsel was able to obtain a judgment in her favor for the full amount of damages. She now needs counsel to help enforce the judgment.

Dispute: Publishing Account Access: Literature

24-0789 Children’s book author set up a self-publishing account with a large online book distributor more than 10 years ago. They are no longer able to access the account, as they no longer have access to the original phone number on file. They need counsel to communicate with the distributor and regain access to the account.

Dispute: Visual Artists Rights Act: Mosaic

24-0637 Nonprofit visual arts school specializing in mosaic art rents operates a physical location with a back patio/parking lot. This area shares a fence with the restaurant next door. The school and restaurant are tenants of the same landlord, and the shared fence is a common feature owned and maintained by the landlord. The school installed three mosaic works on their side of the fence with the permission of the landlord. Recently, the restaurant decided to expand portions of their back patio area, and, without permission from the school or landlord, instructed contractors to cut portions of the fence as part of this expansion, including portions of the fence where the mosaics were hung. The contractors cut off sections of two of the three mosaics. The school needs counsel to help evaluate a claim under the Visual Artists Rights Act, or any other form of appropriate recourse, and, if appropriate, assist with recovery of damages.

Evaluation: Breach of Contract: Literature

22-1111 Author hired an editor to help edit and publish her first book. Editor failed to appropriately proof-read the manuscript, and the book was published in a state that the author believes to constitute a breach of contract. Author needs counsel to help evaluate her options for recourse.