Case #Legal CategoryArts CategoryClient TypeDescriptionTraining MaterialsLaw Library
23-0629Personal Injury/Damage to PropertyMusicPro Bono

23-0629 Jazz musician's principal instrument was damaged by a patron of a venue at which they were performing. The patron verbally committed to paying for the damage, but has failed to respond to the musician's subsequent outreach. Musician needs counsel to help evaluate her options and assist with recovery of the repair costs.

23-0725Copyright Infringement, Copyright Protection/LicensingMusicPro Bono

23-0725 Musician used to be a member of a band. He wrote the melody and drum track for a song while he was still with the band, and another member added lyrics, but the song was never completed. Musician is no longer a member of the band, and the band has released a recording of his song with his instrumental recording and the other band member's lyrics. Musician has tried to release their own version (without the added lyrics) and it has been taken down by the streaming platform. Musician needs counsel to help evaluate his rights in the song and instrumental recording.

23-0751ContractsDance, MusicPro Bono

23-0751 Recording Artist has written and recorded a musical composition in collaboration with two producers. The producers provided Artist with a split sheet agreement. Artist needs counsel to review the agreement.

23-0779Contracts, DisputesDance, MusicPro Bono

23-0779 Founder and co-owner of a local nightclub sold a majority of his stake in the company several years ago. As part of this agreement, the new majority owner agreed to terms requiring return of the vintage speaker system to the founder. Majority owner recently replaced the speakers, and allowed a third party to remove the speakers from the club. The third party refuses to return the speakers to the founder. Founder needs counsel to help evaluate their options and assist with recovery of the speakers.

23-0824Personal Injury/Damage to PropertyPhotography, Visual ArtPro Bono

23-0824 Fine art photographer retired from her arts practice in 2016, and shortly after rented a storage locker to store some of her framed art prints. In late 2022, an overhead pipe burst that flooded the photographer's storage unit and destroyed the artwork. Her insurance provider is refusing to cover the replacement costs of the photos. Photographer needs counsel to evaluate a claim for reimbursement and, if appropriate, help negotiate with the insurance provider.

23-0967Personal Injury/Damage to PropertyVisual ArtPro Bono

23-0967 Visual artist rented a storage locker to store paintings. A fire occurred in the building, which eventually caused water to seep into the unit. Artist was not notified of the fire for almost a month, and the paintings were damaged by the water issue as a result. Artist's homeowner's insurance deems the damage to the paintings to be a business loss. Artist needs counsel to help evaluate a claim to recover losses from the storage facility.

23-1027EmploymentArts Education, Visual ArtPro Bono

23-1027 Sculptor was recently hired to teach visual arts courses at a small private university. They are transgender, and the HR department at the school insists on using their deadname in official directories and email addresses. A student discovered Sculptor's deadname because of this and the student has begun deadnaming and misgendering Sculptor, as well as making transphobic comments. Sculptor has begun Title IX proceedings and needs counsel to help evaluate their claim and counsel them through the process.

23-1084DisputesDancePro Bono

23-1084 Founder and Artistic Director of a nonprofit dance company has become the subject of anonymous, disparaging, and untrue statements made via social media and email correspondence. They need counsel to review their planned public response to the statements, help evaluate a claim for defamation, and draft a cease-and-desist letter.

23-1089EstatesVisual ArtPro Bono

23-1089 Visual artist is in the process of setting up his estate plan and needs counsel to establish a trust for his collection of approximately 2000 works of art.

23-1097EmploymentVisual ArtPro Bono

23-1097 Visual artist recently resigned from her day job due to circumstances she believes comprise sexual harassment. Prior to resignation, she reported to HR, which told her that their policy would require her to continue working with the alleged harasser while an investigation occurred. The alleged harasser would be informed of the complaint, but his supervisors would not be notified until the investigation was completed. Artist felt that this process did not provide her with sufficient protection and resigned. No investigation occurred. Artist needs counsel to help evaluate a claim for sexual harassment or constructive discharge. Artist also needs counsel to help evaluate her claim to unemployment benefits.

23-1102Contracts, DisputesMusic, Performance ArtPro Bono

23-1102 Opera performer was contracted as an artist-in-residence of an opera company to develop a series of creative projects. Agreement expired in June 2023, and the opera company indicated to the performer that they planned to renew the agreement. Performer continued to work on planning and preparation for the series, in communication with the opera company, for a period of several months before the opera company notified her that they would not be continuing the program. Performer needs counsel to help evaluate a claim for compensation or other appropriate recourse.

23-1115Contracts, DisputesMusicPro Bono

23-1115 Musician hired a contractor to insulate her attic. She paid a deposit up front. Contractor never completed the work. Musician sued contractor in small claims court. An agreed order to dismiss, subject to an installment payment plan, was entered. Contractor has not paid Musician as agreed. Musician needs counsel to help enforce her right to payment.

23-1127Business Startup/Corporate, DisputesMusicPro Bono

23-1127 Musician operates a recording studio as a sole proprietorship. During the start-up phase of the business, a family member purchased several pieces of equipment and contributed them to the recording studio. There is no formal agreement. Over the last few years, Musician has sold these pieces of equipment to make ends meet. Family member recently discovered the sale and is demanding return of the equipment or repayment. Musician needs counsel to help evaluate his exposure.

23-1139Employment, DisputesTheaterPro Bono

23-1139 Former costume shop supervisor at a large university recently resigned due to conduct that they believe constitutes a hostile work environment based on their racial identity. They need counsel to help evaluate a claim for constructive discharge or other viable form of recourse.

23-1168DisputesVisual ArtPro Bono

23-1168 Visual artist created several works of art that were consigned to a furniture/decor store without a formal contract. The physical location of the store has since closed, and the artist has been unable to get in touch with the owner. He needs counsel to help recover the artwork or obtain compensation for any pieces that are no longer available.

23-1172Visa and ImmigrationVisual ArtPro Bono

23-1172 Visual artist focused on sculpture and jewelry design from China recently completed a graduate program and is currently working on an OPT. Artist needs counsel to advise on the process of obtaining an artist visa (O-1) or H1B visa.

23-1175Not for Profit AdviceTheaterPro Bono

23-1175 Nonprofit theatre company currently operating as a private foundation is seeking to switch to a public charity classification. They need counsel to assist with this transition.

23-1217Copyright Protection/LicensingFilm/TVPro Bono

23-1217 Client's great aunt owned and operated the largest African American beauty parlor in the world in the 1940s. While she was alive, the great aunt commissioned a screenplay about her life. To date, that screenplay has not been produced. Client is a named heir in her great aunt's will, and needs counsel to help identify the status of rights in this screenplay and assist with any appropriate registrations or recordations.

24-0063Copyright Infringement, EmploymentFilm/TVPro Bono

24-0063 Graphic designer worked on various projects for a single company as both a W-2 and 1099 worker. They have recently been let go and the company intends to move forward with work he created as part of the 1099 arrangement. He needs counsel to help evaluate and, if appropriate, enforce his rights in the work he created throughout his work for this company.

24-0099Business Startup/Corporate, Contracts, OtherArts Education, Other, Visual ArtPro Bono

24-0099 Start-up arts consultancy focused on reimagining the arts center as a site of “cooperative creative economies” in the broader arts ecosystem needs counsel to draft a standard consulting client contract.

24-0105Other, Rights of Privacy and PublicityFilm/TVPro Bono

24-0105 Filmmaker and content creator needs counsel to help evaluate a claim for defamation over statements published by former colleagues on a well-known user-generated content website.

24-0121Business Startup/Corporate, Not for Profit AdviceDance, Performance ArtPro Bono

24-0121 Multidisciplinary artist seeks to establish an artist-run neighborhood public bath. They are interested in soliciting charitable funding as well as more traditional investment funding, and they need general start-up advice, help with choice of entity, and assistance with entity formation.

24-0177Contracts, Copyright Protection/LicensingFilm/TVPro Bono

24-0177 Archival nonprofit organization is planning to transfer significant amount of digitized video files to a university library. They need counsel to review the deed of gift provided by the library and, if appropriate, help negotiate terms.

24-0193Landlord-Tenant, Not for Profit AdviceOther, Visual ArtPaying

24-0193 Owner of newly renovated arts building is planning to rent space to two arts nonprofits with which he and his spouse have a previous affiliation. He needs counsel to help structure the business and contractual relationships to avoid conflicts of interest.

24-0197Business Startup/Corporate, Other, Not for Profit AdviceNon-Profit, Other, Visual ArtPro Bono

24-0197 Longstanding social organization of weavers was formally incorporated in 1949 and received their tax-exempt status as a 501(c)(7) organization shortly thereafter. At some point in their history, their corporate status and related tax-exemption were lost. The organization is interested in regaining their corporate structure and tax exempt status and need counsel to advise as to the best course of action moving forward.

24-0204ContractsFashionPro Bono

24-0204 Fashion designer hired a creative agency to develop their branding material. Designer paid a deposit and the first installment of the fee, but the creative agency did not complete the work and has stopped responding to inquiries. Designer needs counsel to help recover the amounts paid.

24-0211Visa and ImmigrationVisual ArtPro Bono

24-0211 Contemporary artist currently completing a teaching fellowship at a local art school needs counsel to advise on the process of obtaining an artist visa (O-1).

24-0219Contracts, Copyright Protection/LicensingLiteraturePro Bono

24-0219 Translator was engaged to translate a book written by a friend. There was no formal contract with the publisher or the author. The publisher paid Translator as agreed. However, towards the end of the project, she discovered significant typos that were not addressed by the publisher's editor as well as missing passages that had been included in her submitted translation. After a series of disagreements with the publisher about how to proceed with the editing/proofreading process, Translator walked away from the project and requested that the final translation not be attributed to her. The translated book was released this year and includes attributions to Translator, despite her requests. She needs counsel to evaluate her right to recourse and, if appropriate, issue a cease and desist letter.

24-0221Rights of Privacy and Publicity, DisputesFilm/TVPro Bono

24-0221 Content creator needs counsel to help evaluate a claim for defamation over statements published by a former colleague on a well-known user-generated content website.

24-0230Visa and ImmigrationFilm/TV, TheaterPro Bono

24-0230 Theater artist and performer needs counsel to advise on the process of obtaining an artist visa (O-1).

24-0241Contracts, Not for Profit AdviceMusic, Performance ArtPro Bono

24-0241 Local symphony orchestra is in the process of reinstating their tax-exempt status after an incident involving the financial malfeasance of the former executive director. The organization needs counsel to assist with the reinstatement of their tax-exempt status and evaluate their options going forward.

24-0257Other, Not for Profit AdviceTheaterPro Bono

24-0257 Nonprofit theater company recently purchased a building. The previous owner owed taxes on the space and sent a check to cover this amount to previous pro bono counsel for the nonprofit. Counsel sent the check to the nonprofit via a shipping service. The check seems to have been delivered to the wrong address and someone cashed the check. Theater company needs counsel to help evaluate their options and, if possible, recover the funds.

24-0263Visa and ImmigrationFilm/TVPro Bono

24-263 Documentary filmmaker needs counsel to advise on the process of obtaining an artist visa (O-1).

24-0267Not for Profit AdviceDesign/Graphic Design, Visual ArtPro Bono

24-0267 Association of designers currently operates under two affiliated nonprofit corporations. They maintain their membership functions as a 501(c)(6) organization and their fundraising functions as a 501(c)(3) organization. They are interested in shifting the focus of the organization away from the membership structure, and they need counsel to help consolidate the functions of the two organizations under a single 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.

24-0269DisputesPerformance ArtPro Bono

24-0269 Artist used to volunteer for a nonprofit organization that celebrates Mongolian heritage. In 2022, she signed a contract with a performance venue on behalf of the nonprofit for a holiday celebration organized by the nonprofit and several other individuals. After disputes amongst the organizers, the event ended and the cash proceeds were split amongst the individual organizers. The nonprofit failed to pay the amount owed to the venue. The venue filed suit against the nonprofit and the Artist for breach of contract. The Artist was never served, all notices were sent to the registered address of the nonprofit. A default judgement was entered in February 2023. Artist was not notified of the situation until February 2024. They need counsel to help defend against this suit.

24-0272Trademark InfringementVisual ArtPro Bono

24-0272 Visual artist is being sued for trademark infringement in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois regarding online marketing and sales of T-shirts featuring a well-known trademark. It appears that both parties are interested in settlement. Artist needs counsel to evaluate his potential liability and help negotiate a settlement.

24-0284Landlord-TenantFilm/TV, Literature

24-0284 Early last year, Actor ordered to pay outstanding condo assessment costs in a lawsuit filed by the homeowners association. She recently filed a complaint against the homeowners association pro se alleging harassment, breach of fiduciary duties, and other claims. She needs counsel to help evaluate her claim and, if appropriate, representation in the pending suit.

24-0291Trademark ProtectionDesign/Graphic Design, Other, Visual ArtPro Bono

24-0291 Fashion designer who was awarded a patent for one of her clothing items needs help with trademark registration.

24-0301Contracts, Copyright Protection/LicensingVisual ArtPaying

24-0301 Prolific independent comic book artist and publisher is beginning the process of shopping their work to potential licensors and needs counsel to assist on various matters as they arise.

24-0304Employment, Personal Injury/Damage to PropertyPerformance Art, TheaterPro Bono

24-0304 Small nonprofit theater company hires actors as independent contractors to perform in their productions. An actor was recently injured during a performance. There was no contract between the theater and the actor. The theater has been contacted by counsel for the actor regarding a potential Workers Compensation claim. The theater does not maintain Workers Compensation coverage because they do not have employees. They need counsel to help evaluate their exposure and assist with communications with the actor's attorney.

24-0308Contracts, Copyright Protection/LicensingTheaterPro Bono

24-0308 Playwright has created a jukebox musical featuring music written by a Cuban punk band. She had an agreement with their band manager covering a workshop performance, and she is now interested in entering into a full grand rights license. She needs counsel to draft a grand rights license to acquire the rights to produce the musical more broadly. The license would likely need to be in Spanish.

24-0311Employment, Trademark ProtectionDance, Performance ArtPro Bono

24-0311 Dance and fitness entrepreneur is in the process of expanding her business and needs counsel to provide general employment law advice and reassess the company's employee handbook and policies.

24-0312Trademark Protection, EstatesLiterature, Visual ArtPro Bono

24-0312 Artist and writer needs counsel to help develop an estate plan that addresses her artistic and literary legacy.

24-0313Employment, DisputesPerformance ArtPro Bono

23-0216 Actor recently filed a complaint with the City of Chicago Commission on Human Relations after resigning from his day job due to a number of disrespectful and hostile workplace incidents. Actor needs counsel to represent him in the ongoing proceedings.

24-0318Not for Profit AdviceVisual ArtPro Bono

24-0318 Nonprofit art studio and gallery that supports Chicago visual artists living with disabilities needs counsel to review and, if appropriate, update their website privacy policy.

24-0333Copyright InfringementOtherPro Bono

24-0333 Photographer took a photograph on site at a local cemetery. An individual that maintains a research website regarding the cemetery has posted and made the photograph available for download without the photographer's permission. Photographer needs counsel to help enforce a claim for copyright infringement. Previous LCA counsel attempted to resolve this matter with a cease-and-desist letter, but the alleged infringer has not responded to taken down the photograph.

24-0347Business Startup/Corporate, Trademark ProtectionOtherPaying

24-0347 Content creator is focused on merging her arts and accounting experience and has been operating as a sole proprietor. She is now interested in forming an LLC to run the content creation business and needs counsel to provide general start-up advice and help with entity formation.

24-0348Copyright InfringementVisual ArtPro Bono

24-0348 Commercial photographer was hired to photograph the interior of a hotel in Nashville. Photographer retained copyright ownership and the contract with the hiring party specified that the photographs were not to be shared with third parties without permission. Photographer recently discovered that the design firm that worked on the space (and was not a party to the contract) has shared Photographer's photographs on social media without permission. Photographer contacted the design firm and requested compensation for the unlicensed use of the photographs, but the design firm has not responded. Photographer needs counsel to evaluate a claim for copyright infringement and, if appropriate, help recover amounts owed.

24-0349Copyright InfringementVisual ArtContingent Fee (PB Eligible)

24-0348 Commercial photographer was hired to photograph the interior and exterior of a hotel in Chicago. Photographer retained copyright ownership and the contract with the hotel specified that the photographs were not to be shared with third parties without permission. Photographer later contracted with the lighting design firm that performed work on the space. Photographer recently discovered that an individual lighting designer that worked on the space (and was not a party to either contract) has started his own company and has shared eight of Photographer's photographs on the new company's website without permission. Photographer needs counsel to evaluate a claim for copyright infringement and, if appropriate, help recover amounts owed.

24-0353Contracts, Copyright Protection/LicensingLiterature, Visual ArtPro Bono

24-0353 Writer is interested in licensing her work for use in other media and needs counsel to draft a standard license agreement.

24-0354Business Startup/Corporate, Trademark ProtectionFashionPro Bono

24-0354 Designer filed a trademark registration for her business name, but due to a lapse in communication, the application was abandoned in January 2024. Designer needs counsel to help revive and complete the registration.

24-0367Trademark Protection, Copyright Protection/LicensingDesign/Graphic Design, MusicPro Bono

24-0367 Designer needs counsel to assist with trademark registration for their logo.

24-0370DisputesOtherPro Bono

24-0370 Photographer was hired by a personal injury law firm to take professional headshots. Photographer provided a price sheet before the shoot, and issued an invoice accordingly. Photographer provided the photos to the law firm, but they are now refusing to pay the full amount of the invoice. Photographer needs counsel to help recover the amounts owed.

24-0392Contracts, Copyright Protection/LicensingFilm/TVPro Bono

24-0392 Filmmaker developing a documentary about diaspora and Black communities in Chicago needs counsel to provide general start-up advice, assist with LLC formation, and develop standard contracts.