Case List

Content Review: Memoir

21-0504 Minority author of a memoir needs help evaluating her potential liability for publishing a book that contains personal information about her ex-husband and about her now-deceased grandmother.

Contract Drafting: Independent Contractor Agreement: Music

22-0067 Chamber music NFP dedicated to uplifting and empowering society through the power of Black composers is planning to hire an independent contractor to fulfil project manager / executive assistant duties. NFP has a term sheet prepared, but needs counsel to draft the agreement.

Contract Review & Intellectual Property Protection: Music

21-1044 Minority hip hop artist is preparing to release an album. He needs intellectual property advice and counsel to review four beat licenses and a split sheet to determine whether he has the rights necessary to release the album.

Contract Review: Literary Publishing

21-1212 Author is working with a hybrid publishing company (mix of traditional and self-publishing) and needs counsel to review the publishing contract.

Copyright Registration: Poem

21-0873 Minority author of a poem needs help with copyright registration. Excerpts of the poem were included in a song by a local rap artist and the song has been included in a television series that is available on one of the streaming services.

Dispute: Collection: Non-payment for Services

21-1330 Graphic designer and visual artist was hired to manage/design real estate company's social media presence. Company paid invoices for the first seven months of work, but has failed to respond to invoices covering the last three months of work. Client needs help recovering amounts owed.

Dispute: Copyright Infringement: Music / Film

21-1075 Composer provided music to a filmmaker for use as a temp track for a film - no specific license was ever granted. Composer recently discovered that the film was released commercially with the temp tracks. Composer needs counsel to evaluate a claim for copyright infringement.

Dispute: Non-payment for Services

21-1263 Lighting designer contracted with a local private high school to provide services, and school refuses to pay the remaining balance. Designer needs counsel to evaluate the claim. If recommended, they will need assistance with recovery though litigation.

Dispute: Non-payment of Fees: Visual Art

21-1177 Artist was hired to paint a mural for a bedroom and client now refuses to pay. Artist needs counsel to evaluate and enforce his right to payment.

Dispute: Non-payment of Royalties: Music

21-0857 Co-author of a successful house music song needs help evaluating her right to royalties. In addition, if recommended, she will need assistance with recovery though litigation. The song was originally published in the late 1980's and is still being sampled, remixed, and used in various mediums including television and video games. Prior LCA counsel has exhausted options short of litigation. Discovery may reveal that the Client has a claim for fraud.

Dispute: Sexual Harassment: Figure Skating

21-1190 Figure-skating choreographer and trainer needs immediate representation to prepare a Petition for Leave to Appeal to the Illinois Supreme Court from an adverse judgment of the Illinois Human Rights Commission of a claim of sexual harassment/hostile work environment.

Dispute: Trademark Infringement Defense: Music

21-1282 Mexico-based graphic designer is being sued for trademark infringement in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois. It appears that both parties are interested in settlement. Designer needs counsel to help negotiate a settlement.

Employment: Vaccine Requirements

21-0911 Employee of a performance art group has refused the vaccine for medical reasons. Employer is requiring vaccinations for all employees returning to work. Client needs help evaluating her options.

Immigration: Work Visa: Dance

21-1235 Well-established Irish dance company has cast an international dancer in their professional ensemble for an upcoming tour. Dancer is currently able to visit the U.S. on a tourist visa, but the dancer and the dance company need counsel to help them determine the most appropriate visa for the upcoming tour, and to assist in the acquisition of that visa.

NFP: Acceptable Use of Donated Funds

21-1272 NFP wants to raise funds to offer scholarships for students to enroll in classes run by for-profit improv theaters owned by board members of the NFP. NFP needs counsel to advise on whether this is an appropriate use of tax-exempt donations and the avoidance of potential conflicts of interest.

Start-up: Trademark and Copyright Registration: Visual Art

21-1274 Visual artist needs start-up advice regarding choice of entity, help with trademark registration for his name and logo, and help with copyright registration for ten pieces of artwork.