Case List

Copyright Infringement: Visual Art

26-0151 Client runs a creative content and marketing agency. Client entered into an independent contractor agreement, containing no mention of work-for-hire, with a company to create photography and digital assets for marketing and branding. Company terminated the relationship, and refused to pay the full amount owed, as well as is continuing to use the generated works without a license, despite Client sending a cease and desist. Client seeks assistance evaluating claims for breach of contract and copyright infringement. Client registered these works within 3 months of first publication and believes the infringement to be willful.

Copyright Infringement: Photography

26-0136 Client is a cabaret couple. Client performed at a nonprofit benefit concert for hurricane relief many years ago. Client posted a collage of 5 images to their website that was used as a promo for the benefit concert. Client has received a demand letter for payment from an agent of the rightsholder for one of the images in the collage. Client needs legal assistance drafting a response letter to avoid any further correspondence as well as any lawsuit from being filed.

Dispute: Real Estate: HOA: Music

26-0129 Client is a musician and visual artist. Client’s home pipes leaked into their downstairs neighbors home. Client lives in owner’s only building managed by a homeowner’s association. The downstairs neighbor is asking for Client to pay for this damage, Client believes it should be covered by HOA insurance. Client needs legal assistance in resolving this matter.

Dispute: Breach of Contract: Literature

26-0128 Client is an author. Client engaged in an agreement with a book publisher. Book publisher has had unreliable communication, has shipped Client damaged books, and is performing services not in the original agreement. Client needs help evaluating claims for breach of contract and securing a return of funds paid.

Estates: Visual Art

26-0100 Client is a visual artist, researcher, and nonprofit administrator. Client’s mentor recently passed, leaving an archive of artistic works. Client needs assistance setting up the formal structure that will manage the archive.

Nonprofit: Guardianship: Visual Art

26-0081 Client is an NFP art studio and gallery that supports Chicago visual artists living with mental and developmental disabilities. Client has an artist with serious cognitive impairments who cannot manage their affairs and requires a legal guardian. Client needs legal assistance applying for public guardianship.

Copyright Clearance: Fair Use Opinion Letter: Film

26-0073 Client is a documentary filmmaker. Client created a documentary that features clips of newscasts from a number of different sources as well as some other found footage taken from social media sources. Client needs legal assistance evaluating these materials and generating a fair use opinion letter.

Nonprofit: Formation/Maintenance: Cultural Storytelling

26-0071 Client is an arts NFP working at the intersection of arts, media, technology, and community engagement, using creative production and strategic platforms to elevate artists, cultural organizations, and neighborhood narratives. Client needs legal assistance drafting the foundational documents as well as applying for and obtaining 501(c)(3) status with the IRS.

Dispute: Litigation: Performing Art

26-0070 Client is a theater professional that runs a theater producing organization that produces comedy, drag, jazz, magic and burlesque shows. Client started another business with a partner. That business was sued and Client and business partner were named as individuals in the suit. Client is no longer a part of that second business and needs legal representation to help petition the court for removal from the ongoing lawsuit as Client is no longer affiliated with the business being sued.

Dispute: Property Damage: Visual Art

26-0069 Client is a visual artist and former art teacher. Client had the parking garage door come down on Client’s car due to a parked car blocking the exit. Client received seemingly contradictory emails from the property owner in response to the damage. Property owner then turned Client’s matter over to a collection agency for the full amount of the damaged door. Client is seeking legal assistance in contesting this as well as evaluating potential claims against property owner for negligent maintenance of garage door sensors.

Dispute: Employment Resignation: Dance

26-0063 Client is a dancer. Client recently resigned from a position at a dance company. The dance company accepted the resignation initially, but then sent a message to Client claiming that Client owes the company damages due to Client resigning from the position. Client needs legal assistance evaluating defense to this claim for damages as well as potential representation in the upcoming binding arbitration.

Dispute: Employment Resignation: NFP

26-0058 Client is a theater professional who currently works at a theater NFP. Client has recently submitted a letter of resignation and needs legal assistance in negotiating a severance package, including retaining ownership of intellectual property created during Client’s time working for the NFP.

NonProfit: Formation/Maintenance: Music

26-0054 Client is a creative entrepreneur and community advocate. Client currently has an online series that brings music to the community. Client seeks advice and assistance in potential establishing a nonprofit entity around this endeavor. Client also needs assistance obtaining trademark protection for phrases associated with this online series.

Business Formation: Contract Drafting: Performance Art

26-0051 Client is a dancer, vocalist, actor, and teaching artist. Client seeks to start a business around the creative arts and needs assistance drafting the foundational agreements and forming the business entity.

Copyright Infringement: Performance Art

26-0050 Client is a burlesque performer and designer of burlesque accessories. Client came up with a unique and innovative design for displaying feathers while fan dancing. A large company and feather distributor offering an alternative method for these fan displays have switched their design to one nearly identical to Client’s design. Client needs legal assistance evaluating any claims arising from this company’s use of Client’s designs.

Patent Registration: Visual Art

26-0041 Client is a puppet artist and patent holder. Client has come up with a method for assembling tensegrity art structures. Client has patented ideas in the past and needs legal assistance reviewing documentation and filing a non-provisional patent application with the USPTO.

Dispute: Breach of Contract: Film/TV

26-0034 Client is an author and independent filmmaker. Client hired a director for the film under a work-for-hire agreement. As the project was nearing completion, Client shared distribution strategy with director. Director disagreed and immediately ceased all work on the project and is currently withholding all footage from the project. Client needs assistance drafting demand letter for footage as well as an evaluation of Client’s claim for breach of contract.

NonProfit: Formation/Maintenance: Performance Art

26-0031 Client is an arts NFP with a mission to preserve legacy, uplift marginalized voices, and turn lived experience into cultural power through storytelling. Client needs legal assistance drafting Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws as well as help with filing for 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status.

Copyright Protection: Royalties: Literary

26-0030 Client is an author. Client published a book through a publishing company in 2009. Publishing company has since been sold twice over and is no longer marketing or promoting sales of the book. Additionally, publisher has not paid Client royalties for sale of the book. Client seeks legal assistance in terminating the original agreement, regaining intellectual property rights in the underlying work, and seeking potential legal remedies for breach of contract.

Dispute: Real Estate: Music/Theater

26-0023 Client is a classical soprano and pianist. Client has owned/lived in a townhouse as tenancy in common for many years, making improvements and investing in the property under the mistaken belief that Client was slowly buying out the co-tenant’s share of the property. Co-tenant’s ownership stake recently went through probate. Client needs legal assistance evaluating options and negotiating ability to continue living in the property.

Business Formation: Contract Drafting: Film/TV

26-0021 Client is a comedy writer. Client is currently creating an animated series. Client needs assistance creating a business entity for this project as well as drafting agreements for contributors and investors. Client also potentially needs assistance evaluating and filing for Illinois based film and tax credits with The Illinois Film Office.

Copyright Clearance: Fair Use Opinion Letter: Film

26-0019 Client is a documentary filmmaker. Client has made a documentary series and needs a fair use opinion letter. Client also needs help securing the rights to the music to be used in the documentary series.

Dispute: Employment Termination: Visual Art

25-1326 Client is a journalist and visual artist. Client was hired by a nonprofit organization with assurances that the org had sufficient funding for the role. Client experienced a medical issue and requested the ability to work remotely. Client was terminated from the role shortly after this request and needs legal assistance evaluating a claim for discrimination as well as potential defamation as the organization has made false claims about the client related to their termination.

Nonprofit: Formation/Maintenance: Visual Art

25-1325 Client is a visual artist and long-time teaching artist who has been running her own art school. Client opened a gallery that has been donating considerable proceeds to various causes. Client seeks to start a nonprofit entity to help support teaching, creating, and selling of art. Client needs legal assistance creating foundational documents and filing for nonprofit status.

Dispute: Instrument Fraud: Music

25-1323 Client is a musician. Client purchased a violin, believing it to be worth far more than it actually is, based upon the salesperson’s description and the certificate of authenticity that was provided. Many years later, the salesperson told Client that the violin was in fact a composite and worth less than half the amount originally stated. Client seeks legal representation to evaluate a fraud claim and help to recover the money spent above and beyond the instrument’s purported worth.

Dispute: Employment Misconduct: Theater

25-1317 Client is a theater NFP. Client has an employee that was accused of misconduct. After thorough investigation, Client decided to terminate this employee. Before that happened, employee changed logins and passwords, preventing Client from moving forward with other projects, as well as threatening to sue Client. Client needs legal assistance in negotiating an amicable departure of this employee and/or advice on how to best defend itself against these threats of litigation.

Dispute: Landlord-Tenant: Visual Art

25-1316 Client is a painter, illustrator, and art educator. Client rents the space where he teaches and creates his artworks. The space has had a series of issues of disrepair, including flooding, and the landlord is largely unresponsive or hugely delayed in any fixes they provide. Client needs legal assistance evaluating a claim for damages due to potentially uninhabitable conditions.

Copyright Registration: Music

25-1313 Client is an accomplished vocalist. Client recorded a solo album in 1987, with the copyright ownership belonging to a musical society. Ownership was then transferred to an individual. Client, with the help of legal representation, sent a right of termination notice to this individual. The effective termination date has now passed. Client needs legal assistance confirming the regaining of copyright ownership as well as help registering this work with the Copyright Office.

Dispute: Real Estate: HOA: Dance

25-1311 Client is a performing artist and a writer. Client briefly fell behind on condo assessment payments. Client’s HOA has added additional late fees and attorney’s fees and is demanding full payment in order to avoid further legal action. Client received a 30-day demand letter for eviction about a number of weeks ago and is currently in discussions about coming to a mutual resolution. Client needs legal assistance in corresponding with the HOA’s legal representation to convince them to ideally allow the outstanding balance to be paid out of the sale proceeds of the property, which has been listed or to negotiate a payment plan. To also have some of the additional fees waived.

Dispute: Art Fraud: Visual Art

25-1307 Client is a artist and art collector. Client purchased a bronze statue from art dealer. Client has since learned from a number of reputable art experts, and supporting scientific evidence, that the statue is not legitimate. Client needs legal representation in drafting a demand letter and evaluating claims for fraud and misrepresentation.

Dispute: Employment Conditions: Literary

25-1291 Client is a writer and editor. Client previously worked for a book publisher in a strained and often hostile work environment. Client has been working through the experience in therapy. Client needs assistance evaluating potential legal claims and rights.

Dispute: Physical Injury: Theater/Dance

25-1278 Client is a performing arts NFP. Client regularly hires independent contractors for art performances and exhibitions. While warming up for one of these performances, an injury occurred to one of the dancers. The dancer has now contacted client asking for compensation and potentially lost wages. Client has a pending worker’s compensation claim, but is not optimistic due to the independent contractor status of the injured party. Client needs assistance evaluating liability as well as responding to this individual’s claims.

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.

Business Formation: LLC: Film/TV

25-1275 Client is a group looking to create a film production company. Two members of the group are currently in the country on student visas. Client needs assistance creating and structuring the business entity. Client also needs assistance with obtaining the necessary work visas for two individuals so that they can actively work for the new formed business entity.

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.

Copyright Registration: Music

25-1255 Client is a children’s music composer and early-childhood music educator. Client created a curriculum of nearly 200 original songs and rhymes for children. Client needs assistance evaluating and registering copyright protection for these works, creating a licensing agreement for using these works/this curriculum, and identifying the owner of publishing rights for some cover songs to ensure proper allocation of any potential royalties.

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.

Copyright Infringement: Film/TV

25-1246 Client transfers, restores, and archives media. Client was hired to restore media and post it online. Client then remastered the media with different software, and posted this newer version online. Client then received a cease and desist letter from a party claiming to be the rightsholder to the media in question. Client needs assistance evaluating this letter and responding accordingly.

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.

Dispute: Collection: Music

25-1225 Client is a piano accompanist who primarily performs for school and theater groups. Client was hired by a school to perform for a production. The school asked Client to perform additional accompanying for the rehearsal period leading up to the production. Client reluctantly agreed to assist with rehearsals and was subsequently terminated from the position. Client seeks legal assistance in obtaining the money owed for partial performance of the contract before termination.

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 Infringement: Music

25-1192 Client is a singer, songwriter and producer with a registered trademark for client’s stage name. Multiple third parties are using this trademarked name, and client needs assistance to protect the trademark and if necessary send cease and desist letters.

Dispute: Employment Termination: Music

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: Garnished Wages: Film/TV

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.

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.

Rights of Privacy and Publicity: Clearance: 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.

Dispute: Landlord-Tenant: 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 gallery 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 recoupment for rent and lost earnings.

Copyright Protection/Licensing: Contract Drafting: 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.

Dispute: Breach of Contract: Film/TV

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.

Dispute: Employment Termination: Music

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.

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.

Dispute: Breach of Contract: Literature

25-0933 Client is an author. Client worked with a business holding out to be a legitimate publishing company, offering to produce a screenplay from Client’s book. Client was asked to pay a large sum of money for services that were never rendered. Client now seeks legal assistance in evaluating claims for fraud and getting back the money paid.

Dispute: Employment Discrimination: 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: Employment Classification: 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.

Rights of Privacy and Publicity: 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 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: Performance Art

25-0884 Client is a NFP school for the performing arts. Client seeks to register for tax exempt status. Client also needs help registering the name and logo of the NFP for trademark protection.

Copyright Protection/Licensing: Arts Education

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.

Copyright Protection/Licensing: Nonprofit: 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.

Copyright Protection/Licensing: Clearance: Music

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: Discrimination: Literary

25-0795 Client is a former student, 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.

Contract Drafting: Producer Agreement: 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.

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: Collection: Visual Art

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.

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.

Dispute: Employment Discrimination: Music

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.

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 Art

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 Art

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.