Case List

Contract Review: Contract Drafting: Film/TV

25-1304 Client is a writer. Client has interest from film company who wants to review her work. Client needs help reviewing existing and drafting new agreements to facilitate this review, and potentially needs representation to formally submit her work to the film company for review.

Copyright Infringement: Visual Art

25-1303 Client is a visual artist. Client created an original design based on a sports team logo that is being used on physical merchandise without permission. Client needs assistance drafting a cease and desist letter as well as evaluating claims and remedies associated with the ongoing use of this design.

Right of Publicity Review: Photography

25-1289 Client is a music NFP that puts on an annual festival. Client is celebrating 20 years and plans to commercially release a book of photographs from the past few decades of the festival. Client needs assistance reviewing the model release agreements as well as evaluating photographs of festival audiences for any other potential releases or licenses necessary.

Copyright Registration: Literary

25-1276 Client is an author. Client wrote two articles and had them translated by a translation company. Client needs assistance registering copyrights for the translated articles.

Nonprofit: Formation/Maintenance: Literature

25-1266 Client is a literary production NFP. Client recently lost funding through the NEA, and attempted to apply to a prominent arts relief fund, but was unable to get any response from that organization. Client needs assistance in evaluating legal actions that can be taken both to potentially obtain funding or alternatively, file complaints against the NEA and arts relief fund for potential abuse of authority.

Copyright Infringement: Music

25-1264 Client is a musician and recording artist. Client worked with a record label to release and promote an album. Client ended relationship with record label and got assurances that record label would no longer distribute the album. Despite these assurances, the album remains available online for purchase, and client is not receiving royalties from these sales. Client needs assistance issuing demands for both payment of past royalties as well as removing any unauthorized distributions of client’s album.

Manuscript Review: Literary

25-1263 Client is an author. Client has secured a publisher and needs legal assistance in reviewing the manuscript to flag any permissions that need to be obtained before publication. Client also potentially needs assistance negotiating terms of their publishing agreement.

Nonprofit: Formation/Maintenance: Theater

25-1257 Client is a successful and growing off-loop theater company in Chicago. Client needs help reviewing and updating bylaws and board policies as well as employment policies and procedures.

Contract Drafting: Film/TV

25-1253 Client is a film and television production company. Client seeks to produce a film about a real life subject’s story in collaboration with screenwriters. Client needs legal assistance drafting agreement with screenwriters and to obtain the rights to adapt the story.

Dispute: Harassment: Dance

25-1251 Client is a dance NFP. An individual is harassing and stalking employees of client and is showing up at client’s dance studio for programming under fake names. Client needs assistance evaluating legal action that can be taken to protect the studio, its customers and employees.

Dispute: HOA: Literary

25-1250 Client is a published writer. Client is currently going through an Illinois Department of Human Rights (IDHR) case currently with an unresponsive homeowners association (HOA) for failure to provide appropriate ADA accommodations. Client has gone through all appropriate channels to no avail and needs assistance evaluating her claims against the HOA for continued lack of accommodations as well as potentially retaliatory behavior in response to client’s IDHR case.

Nonprofit: Formation/Maintenance: Music

25-1243 Client is a music NFP. Client needs legal assistance filing all necessary documents with the state and federal entities to obtain tax-exempt nonprofit status, as well as evaluation of existing programming to ensure nonprofit compliance.

Copyright Protection: Licensing: Theater

25-1234 Client is a non-profit Chicago theater that has a long-term relationship with a theater licensing agency to license and produce plays. The relationship between the parties has resulted in minor modifications to the original agreement. Client seeks an attorney to review the most recent agreement and potentially create an updated contract to incorporate terms based on the course of performance of the parties over the years.

Copyright Protection: Theater / Education

25-1233 Client is an arts educator. Client developed a theater education program in collaboration with a university. The university is no longer putting on the program and is no longer employing client to run this program. Client needs assistance understanding and potentially negotiating the rights to continue putting on this theater education program without university affiliation.

Contract Drafting: Literature Publishing

25-1232 Client has a ghostwriting business in which her clients are authors of various genres from fiction to medical subjects. She seeks representation to develop a contract for this work that will limit her liability for any claims arising from materials provided to her by the client.

Dispute: Breach of Contract: Talent Agency

25-1197 Client is an actress with an existing talent agency agreement. Client believes the agency breached the agency agreement and needs assistance to formally terminate the agreement.

Trademark Registration: Music

25-1188 Client is a co-founder of a band that has performed under a recognizable name. Recent changes in the makeup of the group have led client to seek advice and assistance in securing the rights to the band’s name through registration.

Dispute: Tax Law

25-1174 Client was recently divorced, and incorrect documents were submitted on a joint tax return applicable to client’s former relationship. After submitting a correction of this mistake, the IRS has denied the correction based on an allegedly doctored document. Client needs assistance from a tax attorney to dispute this allegation and correct an improper balance due.

Disputes: Nonpayment

25-1157 Client is a Lighting Designer and Project Manager who performed services for an entertainment company, at significant expense. The agents breached the service agreement, and failed to pay client expenses for services rendered. Client would like to evaluate a cause of action for breach of contract.

Disputes: Copyright Infringement, Theater

25-1111 Client is a theater writer, producer and director. Client produced a licensed production several years ago with an original set design. Currently another local theater is staging the same licensed production, and client believes they have infringed on client’s set designs. Client would like assistance to evaluate a cause of action for damages.

Employment: Termination of Employee

25-1110 Client is a music educator. Client was terminated from their role after allegations. Client denies any wrongdoing and is seeking assistance in evaluating case for wrongful termination as well as obtaining payment for the period leading up to the termination.

Dispute: garnishing wages

25-1109 Client is a multidisciplinary artist and performer whose wages have been mistakenly garnished by a state agency. Client would like assistance to properly appeal this decision and action.

Contract Drafting: Sanctions Screening: Film

25-1068 Client is documentary film NFP. Client is seeking to film a few scenes using a local camera operator in a country sanctioned by the US Treasury Department. Client seeks assistance navigating sanction requirements and obtaining the appropriate license, if required.

Copyright Protection: Licensing: Film/TV

25-1066 Client is a film writer, director, and producer. Client’s current project intends to use a character already in existence. Client needs assistance identifying owner of the character and obtaining a license to use this character in the project as well as an NDA to protect client’s idea and story.

Nonprofit: Real Property: Visual Art

25-1059 Client is a public art NFP. Client is in the process of purchasing property. Client needs assistance with both the purchase as well as guidance around a NFP buying and developing property.

Copyright Protection: Trademark Evaluation: Film

25-1052 Client is an NFP that made a film to encourage painting for people with memory impairment. Client is now working with a company to distribute paint kits in association with the film and needs assistance ensuring all necessary protections in both the film and related branding.

Dispute: Domain Name: For Profit

25-1040 Client is a creative technology and arts company. Client is in ongoing dispute with individual over domain name usage. Client has been using the domain name for years and had help filing a motion to dismiss this matter. Client needs representation in this civil dispute.

Dispute: NFP Board Governance

25-1039 Client is board member for a literary NFP. Client had NFP’s social media and email accounts taken over by bad actors. Those actors effectively shut down the NFP, filing unapproved paperwork changing the board structure and members, as well as closing bank accounts. Client seeks counsel in resolving this dispute and seeking remedies.

Dispute: Harassment: Visual Art

25-1026 Client is a visual artist in residence at a record store. Client has been experiencing harassing and stalking behavior directed towards them by a former colleague. Client needs help evaluating claims for harassment.

Contract Drafting: Music Production

25-1025 Client is a recording studio. Client seeks to host educational workshops and classes for the general public. Client needs assistance drafting contracts and waivers for as well as assessing insurance needs.

Other: Clearances: Film/TV

25-1022 Client is a documentary film LLC. Client is creating a documentary film and is seeking audio testimony from previous court proceedings. Client needs assistance bringing a FOIA-type request to determine if the audio recording of this testimony exists and to ultimately obtain said recording for use in the film.

Trademark Registration: Dance, Theater, Visual Art

25-1016 Client is an immersive experience LLC. Client needs legal assistance filing a trademark for the business name and logo.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Dispute: Patent Protection: Product Design

25-0948 Client works in industrial design. Client had employment with large consumer electronics manufacturer. Client significantly contributed to design of a major product line, but was not credited in the filed patent, causing lasting harm to client’s professional career. Client seeks assistance evaluating claims for correcting patent authorship and/or damages.

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.

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: 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.

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.

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.

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: 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 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: Breach of Contract: Music

25-0756 Client is a singer and songwriter who engaged with a mixing engineer to complete songs for an upcoming album. Client would like assistance to negotiate and draft an agreement to formalize rights and responsibilities going forward.

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 Drafting: Film: Life Rights

25-0714 Client is a filmmaker and production company. Client has optioned a screenplay and needs assistance obtaining all necessary licenses and permissions to produce the film, namely obtaining life rights for the underlying story.

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. Client’s mother passed away in Illinois, and the estate is now being administered through probate. Client is entitled to stocks and needs 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.

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.

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.

Corporate: Succession Planning

24-1093 Clients own a successful bookstore in Andersonville. They would like to create a succession plan and Business Sale documentation, which may include a “Purpose Trust” or a deferred equity sale to a current staffer.

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.