Case List

Contract Drafting: Life Rights Agreement and Standard Releases: Film

22-0693 Filmmaker working on a documentary film about a local artist needs counsel to draft a life rights agreement to present to the artist's estate. Filmmaker also needs a standard Personal Release and Location Release contracts.

Contract Drafting: Producer Agreement: Music

22-0837 Singer-songwriter needs counsel to draft a Producer Agreement to memorialize a planned royalty sharing arrangement with a producer.

Contract Review: Artwork License Agreement: Visual Art

22-0915 TIME SENSITIVE MATTER: Multimedia artist's work is currently being exhibited publicly in the Chicago Loop. She would like to submit the work for exhibition with another local institution, but needs counsel to review the contract with the public exhibitor to determine her rights and responsibilities under the agreement.

Contract Review: Grant Agreement: Film/TV

22-0858 Nonprofit that creates videos for the disabled community has received a federal grant and needs counsel to review the grant agreement.

Contract Review: NFT License Agreement: Visual Art

22-0899 Artist entered into a license agreement with a company that would sell NFTs of her artwork. Artist now wishes to terminate the agreement. She needs counsel to review the agreement and advise as to her rights and responsibilities.

Copyright Clearance & Protection: Digital Art

22-0712 Digital artist and designer is developing a line of original 3D printable gaming models influenced and inspired by a line of miniatures released during the 90s and 00s. Artist needs counsel to evaluate whether his designs infringe on the earlier miniatures and advise on best practices for protecting his original works.

Dispute: Breach of Contract: Literature

22-0362 Client is a visual artist and author. She has taken classes from a local writing school for many years. In the most recent session, she submitted a late payment, and the school expelled her. Client is seeking the return of the submitted payment.

Dispute: Copyright Infringement/Breach of Agent's Duties: Literature

22-0666 Several years ago, author pitched a book idea to her agent at the time. Author is no longer represented by this agent. A different author represented by this agent recently announced a publishing deal for a book about the same idea. Author suspects that the agent shared her idea with the other author. She needs counsel to evaluate any potential claim for copyright infringement or a breach of the agent's duties.

Dispute: Copyright Infringement: Music

22-0215 Client is a rapper who tells stories about the realities of living in Chicago. Client released a song and related music video in 2012. Several times throughout the last few years, another performer has posted music and videos online of a new song that uses the client's lyrics. Client needs counsel to help evaluate a claim for copyright infringement.

Dispute: Copyright Infringement: Music

22-0507 DJ and composer client wrote and published song in 2014. Over the last several years, another company has been using a sample of the original sound recording in their releases. Client has filed several DMCA notices, and has received at least one counternotice. Client needs counsel to help evaluate a claim for copyright infringement.

Dispute: Damage to Property: Visual Art

22-0585 Filmmaker hired an art studio/gallery to digitally reproduce a painting. Studio/gallery allegedly destroyed the painting. Filmmaker needs counsel to help evaluate a claim for conversion

Dispute: Employment Discrimination: Visual Art

22-0330 Visual artist was recently fired from a teaching position with a local art school. He believes he has a claim for race-based employment discrimination and needs counsel to evaluate his claim.

Dispute: Employment: Unemployment Contributions

22-0467 Nonprofit that provides social and emotional learning programming for schools was recently informed by the IDES that they are now required to contribute to the unemployment fund. Nonprofit filed an appeal and needs counsel to evaluate their current status and obligations, and provide advice going forward.

Dispute: Landlord-Tenant: Performing Arts

22-0739 Circus performer signed a lease for an apartment. Lease included rules for on-site laundry facilities. After the lease was signed, landlord disclosed more restrictive rules regarding the use of the on-site laundry facilities. Client would not have signed the lease if those rules had been disclosed earlier. Client notified landlord that she was breaking the lease and needs counsel to advise on her rights and obligations going forward.

Dispute: Nonprofit: Governance

22-0697 Employees of nonprofit organization need legal advice regarding potential liability arising from ongoing corporate governance issues.

Immigration: Work Visa: Visual Art

22-0815 Visual artist specializing in metal and glass work has received an offer to work in a studio. The studio is willing to sponsor artist's work visa, but they are unfamiliar with the process. Artist needs counsel to advise and assist.

NFP: Out-of-State Operations: Fashion

22-0749 Local nonprofit organization that provides hair braiding and hair care education to transracial adoptive and foster families is interested in opening affiliate locations in other states and needs counsel to advise on the best way to structure such an expansion.

Nonprofit: 501(c)(6) to 501(c)(3): Literature

22-0795 Organization that supports freelance writers in Chicago is planning to convert from a 501(c)(6) organization to a 501(c)(3) organization. They need counsel to advise on and assist with the process.

Nonprofit: Conflict of Interest Policy: Music

22-0640 Pending nonprofit organization is planning to obtain tax-exempt status to raise scholarship funds to pay for music lessons for children provided by a for-profit music school. Organization needs general nonprofit advice and assistance with a conflict of interest policy.

Nonprofit: Dissolution: Theatre

22-0790 Nonprofit theatre company has begun the process of winding down and dissolving the entity and needs advice on the dissolution process and options for distribution of the entity's assets.

Start-up: Film

22-0776 Filmmaker plans to produce a self-funded film and needs general start-up advice and assistance with LLC formation.

Start-up: Film

22-0909 Filmmaker working on a short surrealist film needs general start-up advice and assistance with LLC formation.

Start-up: Photography

22-0603 Collective of Chicago photographers that presents exhibitions and regular meetings would like to create a formal entity and needs counsel to assist with choice of entity and entity formation.

Trademark Protection: Music

22-0798 Local band has been using a certain band name for 10+ years. They were recently contacted by a band with a similar name that seems to be requesting that the client band refrain from using the name in the future. Client band needs counsel to advise on their rights and potential risks.

Trademark Registration: Music/Education

22-0890 Artist is developing a musical program designed to teach children of color how to read. She needs counsel to assist with trademark registration for one mark.